Gunners’ Barracks, Mosman & Sandwich Stealing Kookaburras
Who me? I’m innocent…
One of the things I miss most about living in Mosman is the birdlife. Living near Balmoral Beach on the top floor of an apartment block meant that we had kookaburras, cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets visit our balcony on an almost daily basis. None of these birds however stole a sandwich from me. Until now of course. And a confession? I liked it!
Queen Viv and I are Afternoon tea lovers from way back and we’re headed to Gunner’s Barracks to take part in their afternoon tea and new Winter menu. We’re late as of course anything involving Queen Viv and I always involves an element of tardiness. Constructed in 1873, the sandstone building was originally a place for the military. Since October 2005 it has been serving afternoon tea to lucky locals and visitors. We take in the sweeping views of the Harbour and realise instantly why it is always so booked out by wedding parties. We’re shown to our table outside with little heaters positioned strategically to take the almost Winter chill off.
Spiced quail and chestnut soup, spinach, baby coriander $19
We take a look at the regular menu. Today we’re sharing a combination of a High Tea and a three course meal which of course we’re happy to share. We start with a dish that just surrenders to Winter. The Quail and Chestnut soup has two plump pieces of quail in the centre atop a creamy chestnut soup with a distinct curry taste to it via coriander seeds. There’s some sauteed spinach sitting under the quail. The dish is warming both by virtue that it’s a hot soup and also via the curry flavour.
Roast rump of lamb, shepherds pie, carrot, parsnip, garlic and thyme jus $29
Being a lamb lover, Queen Viv was especially keen to try this and it comes as two separate pieces. In a small oval dish is a shepherd’s pie and on another dish is the sliced roast rump of lamb which is tender with a lovely light thyme jus (you know me, I don’t like thyme but this isn’t strong in it). The split dutch carrot and parsnip are too firm though. The star of the plate however is the gorgeously rich shepherd’s pie redolent in red wine and the juices from roasting the lamb. You can absolutely taste these extra touches and we scrape the bowl clean while declaring that we could eat a whole bowl of it by itself. There was almost bowl licking too-almost!
Green leaf salad $7
The green leaf salad is well dressed although the dressing could use a touch of sweetness from a mustard vinaigrette or balsamic as it’s a touch too zesty.
Spiced marzipan filled pear, mulled wine ice cream $15
Although we knew that we had an afternoon tea to sample I couldn’t resist the marzipan filled pear. The pear itself isn’t cooked in a red wine but the marzipan inside it has been mixed with red wine so that it is red inside-at first glance I think it’s red bean paste as it has a similar texture. The pear itself is quite soft and I prefer pears firmer. The red wine component comes via the velvety mulled wine ice cream drop.
Traditional Afternoon Tea $40
Our “dessert” is the afternoon tea. On Royal Albert china, there are three tiers to this Afternoon Tea. The sandwiches are egg, mayonnaise and chive; roast beef with dijon & rocket and smoked salmon, horseradish & cucumber. All are interestingly on brown bread and they’re all very fresh my particular favourite being the roast beef. On the savoury plate are also an asparagus tart and a chickpea samosa with a spiced yogurt.
Page 1 of 2 | Next page