Penguin says Feed Me: Burnt Orange, Mosman

13 September 2012

Burnt Orange, Mosman

Cafe area

Burnt Orange is the perfect place for a girly day out. Not only does it boast harbour views, a quaint setting in a Federation-style mansion, and delicious food, but it has two levels of retail rooms with cute-as-a-button homewares, womenswear, jewellery and accessories which you can literally spend hours wandering around in (and we did).

A spontaneous trip to Burnt Orange one weekend meant that we didn't have time to make a booking, and the place was absolutely packed. We were given an approximate 30-45 minute wait for a table, but we spent the time poring over the retail rooms which made the time pass much more quickly.

Soup of the day served with homemade Avoca bread - $10

We're eventually seated in the cafe area in amongst families enjoying their Sunday lunch and girlfriends catching up over the latest goss. We choose our meals from the extensive menu and Charm opts for the soup of the day. Today's soup is roasted capsicum which arrives with a swirl of sour cream, a sprinkling of chives and a side of homemade Avoca bread.

Hot smoked trout salad - $25

The hot smoked trout salad is a winning combination, with chunks of smoked trout, baby asparagus spears, baby gem lettuce and kipfler potatoes, all dressed in a horseradish cream. It's surprisingly filling and the serving is generous. The best part for me are the croutons perched atop the mound of salad which are super crisp and garlicky.

Burnt Orange fish pie - $24

I only have eyes for the Burnt Orange fish pie with a grilled mashed potato top. Digging past the creamy potato reveals a creamy white wine fish stew that is plentiful with fish fillet pieces and leeks.

Teapots, cups and saucers

We eat leisurely, chatting between mouthfuls and at no point are we ever rushed. Time moves into the mid-afternoon and we see a large group gathering for Burnt Orange's high tea, which use the pretty teapots, cups and saucers hanging in the cabinet inside the cafe. The high tea is available through reservations only so we decide to get something from the standard afternoon menu instead.

Passionfruit tart - $11

The passionfruit tart is packed with passionfruit flavour. The dollop of vanilla cream adds a slight sweetness but I'm won over by the passionfruit caramel - a sweet and sticky syrup dotted with passionfruit seeds. The crust of the tart is a little thick, but is still buttery and crumbly.

Latte - $4.10

After enjoying dessert and a coffee, we set off to check out the rest of the retail rooms. It's almost impossible to leave empty-handed as there are so many beautiful items just waiting to be taken home. We spend the next couple of hours looking at dresses, colourful scarves, handbags, cupcake liners, cups and saucers, and the cutest little ceramic milk jars that I was so tempted to buy. Good conversation, good retail therapy, and good food - if that isn't a day well spent then I don't know what is!