Black Star Pastry, Newtown

I love having so many friends who are into food because I can always trust them to start raving about the amazing food they've eaten. Black Star Pastry was one of these places that kept popping up in conversation, and I kept hearing about how awesome their lamb shank pies and cakes were from people at Sydney Uni.

It's a bit of a trek from the main campus but totally worth the walk (or if you're feeling lazy, just get a bus). The shop itself is quite small but there are benches and chairs on the pavement outside where you can sit and enjoy your pastries and coffee.

There are a range of sandwiches and savoury pastry items on the blackboard to choose from, as well as a display cabinet full of sweets. I have my mind set on getting the lamb shank pie just to see if it lives up to the hype, as well as a few sweet cakes and pastries to take home.

Lamb shank, red wine and vegetable pie - $7

You place your order and pay at the counter, and take your goodies to a table. From the moment I'm handed the pie, I can smell the aroma of red wine from the pie innards and I can't wait to cut it open and sink my teeth into it.

The pastry shatters as I slice my knife down the middle and it flakes all over the table. Inside the pie, the meat from the lamb shank has been shredded and is incredibly soft and flavoursome. The red wine gravy coats the meat thickly and there are also some vegetables thrown in for good measure. It's definitely one of the best pies I've ever had.

Strawberry watermelon cake with rose cream - $6

The pie is quite rich and filling from all the butter in the pastry but I can't resist getting some desserts as well. The Black Star signature strawberry, watermelon and rose cream cake is easily one of the prettiest cakes I've seen. Though there are layers of cream between the sponge, it is amazingly light and refreshing. I love the unexpected crunch from the watermelon slice and the subtle rose flavour in the cream. I have no problems wolfing this down and even consider getting another piece!

Amedei chocolate and hazelnut torte - $6

The chocolate hazelnut torte is dense and rich with layers of Amedei chocolate ganache and ground hazelnuts and it reminds me of an opera cake. It has a glossy dark chocolate glaze on the top and a little piece of gold leaf for some decadence.

Custard Flan - $5

The custard flan doesn't get consumed until later that night and by that time the pastry has lost a little of its crispyness. The custard filling is not too sweet and there is a light glaze brunhed on the surface for some shine. It's probably one of the biggest custard tarts I've seen, like a jumbo-sized Portuguese tart.

There are still plenty of other cakes and pastries I've yet to try including a strawberry crumble, chocolate eclair as well as their famous ginger ninjas. But I don't think a visit to Black Star is complete without the lamb shank pie and the strawberry watermelon cake which I'll definitely be coming back for again and again!

Black Star Pastry

277 Australia St

Newtown NSW 2042

Ph: +61 2 9557 8656

Open 7 days, 7am - 5pm

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