SIFF Sugar Hit 2009: Perama

Though I haven't quite delved headstrong into the SIFF events and special dining offers quite as much as I would like, I'm still salivating at the thought of putting a few Sugar Hits under my belt. And Perama was always going to a definite drawcard. After numerous visits, everybody who'd care to listen would know that this is one of my favourite dining destinations... if only for the gorgeous entrees and desserts alone!

Each week, chef and owner David Tsirekas will change the dessert option so really, multiple Sugar Hits from Perama isn't as crazy as it sounds. After an incredible birthday meal (where I finally took The Captain to experience the magic for himself), we were presented with David's sweet offering for week 2.

There needed to be more lemon shortbread *drool*

The one that got me all tingling was the Lemon Shortbread sandwiched with a White Chocolate and Camomile Ice Cream. My god. The bursts of the refreshing citrus in the buttery shortbread led me to exclaim that everything should be laced with lemon. The ice cream thankfully, wasn't overpowering with the often cloying white chocolate flavour and the camomile was beautifully subtle, but present enough to leave a lingering aftertaste. Gorgeous.

Left: Milk Semolina Halva Pudding / Right: Patchavoura

I also loved the Patchavoura, which was a soft chilled baklava. The difference of the texture to a standard baklava was a change that I wasn't use to but it was delicious nonetheless. The Milk Semolina Halva Pudding was also something different but admittedly at this point I was really feeling the pain of excessive consumption so perhaps I couldn't enjoy this as much as I normally would if I had space in my stomach.

Background: Coffee and Chocolate Tart

It was a simliar story to the Greek Coffee and Chocolate Tart. I loved the mousse-like texture and normally I'd rave about the strong coffee flavour. But when you've eaten double your weight in Greek food, a rich dessert like this does the appetite no good. But trust me, it tasted incredible for the first few bites!

Yes I was literally bursting with food but I had to suck it up and take it because there was no way I was going to miss out on this!

Caramel baklava and passionfruit bougatsa

Oh yes, it was my birthday so the thought of skipping my favourite caramel baklava ice cream and passionfruit bougatsa was out of the question. These beauties are available from their a-la-carte menu. But perhaps the biggest satisfaction of the evening was when I realised that The Captain had been moaning and groaning without restraint throughout the night like he was on heat. Looks like he's now under the same Perama spell as I am.


The Sugar Hit from Perama is available Tuesday to Saturday 10pm - 12am until October 31st (all of the other sugar hits are 9-11pm). Cost is $20 for a dessert plate and a glass of dessert wine or cognac (varieties vary with different venues). Bookings are highly recommended.

Perama

88 Audley Street
Petersham NSW 2049
(02) 9569 7534