Chocolate Caramel Tart, $5
These beautiful Chocolate Caramel tarts were recently featured in the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Living section in a story about the new trend of adding a hint of salt to sweets, an idea that I wholeheartedly support. Another great idea is going to Black Star Pastry in Newtown and eating some, or all, of Christopher The’s delicacies.
Raspberry Galette, $6
I’m lucky because my lovely friend Elise works here, so when I stopped in on my way to pick up my luncheon partner she gave me some great advice – “come back quickly, sometimes we sell out fast!”.
We returned soon after, choosing to take away and eat in the park, as there is very limited seating at the actual shop. Never fear though, the lovely Camperdown Memorial park is very close 
Inside, Black Star Pastry has a really homely feel. Trays of cakes and tarts cover the benches, beautiful breads line the side wall, and a big blackboard at the back shouts out those items that aren’t on display.
There is so much choice, and so many people in this tiny space, jostling for a peek at the picture perfect pastries that I am a little overwhelmed. During a welcome lull I chat with Elise; “try the lamb shank and red wine pie”, she suggests. Sold. Another tip? “Don’t double up! Get different things and share”, agreed!
Quiche Lorraine $5, Lamb Shank and Red Wine Pie $7 (Cannele).
We take our spoils to the park, my mouth watering the entire way, find a shady spot and dig in. Elise was right, my Lamb Shank and Red wine pie is amazing. This is miles above your average bakery pie, see, Black Star Pastry is not your average bakery. The filling is mostly meat, yielding and so flavourful, and the pastry is light, tender and buttery. Best. Pie. Ever. Like the best stew ever wrapped up in the best pastry ever.
Clockwise from top: Chocolate and Caramel Tart, lemon curd biscuit, cannele, macaron
Our dessert selection was wonderful, as expected – though my eyes are a little bigger than my stomach, I must admit. The lemon curd was so lemony and light, the salt in the chocolate and caramel tart really brought out the sweetness, but balanced it at the same time, delightfully. The cannele and macaron were delicious, and gone in an instant.
I’m no pastry expert, but everything I tasted was simple, made with good quality ingredients and perfectly executed. More than that, everything looked amazing and was very well priced. So, we went back again for lunch, a few weeks later.
Goats Cheese and Leek Quiche $5, Lamb Shank and Red Wine Pie $7.
My Goats Cheese and Leek Quiche was just the right balance of salty cheese and sweet vegetable, the pastry again was spot on. I didn’t hear much from my friend while he savoured his pie.
Custard Tart $5, Strawberry Crumble $4.50
Our desserts, this time I was more restrained in my purchases, were as delicious as expected.
While this beautiful weather continues, there is no decision when it comes to Saturday Lunch, Black Star Pastry treats, eaten in the park. When winter arrives, I’ll be there, perched on a stool, being warmed by the lamb shank and red wine pie. Thats right, I am enamored with Black Star Pastry.
Black Star Pastry
277 Australia St,
Newtown
ph: 02 9557 8656
17 Comments
Aaah heaven in a little white cardboard box!
I think I want another chocolate and caramel tart. The salt really did make it quite special.
And I’ve never had such a meaty pie before. Chunks of lamb!
ARGH!!! I’ve been meaning to visit Black Star. Your post has made it imperative that I now do ASAP, looks so GOOD!!
These pastries look just beautiful. The goats cheese and leek tart sounds amazing. I love the way the strawberries and raspberries peek out of their pastry cases.
I could definitely get lost in a shop like that! Those tarts look amazing. And even the macarons (I’m not usually a fan) look fabulous. YUM!!
I love this little shop. Wish I could visit it more often!
Thanks for sharing the ‘insider’ recommendations from this fab place. The lemon curd biscuit looks incredible!
the macaron looks so pretty! what flavour was it?
Gorgeous photos, and what a fun treat to eat in the park!
Mmmm lamb shank and red wine piiieeeee! I must get over there and try out the goods yum!
Sneh: Totally! Perfect description
James: Yeah, I want to try one of their other pies, see how it compares
aptronym: You must visit (though they are closed on Mondays). Glad to be of service
Arwen: The pastries taste beautiful as well, luckily
Ricki: Black Star is tiny, but I still managed to get lost in it, so delicious!
Y: Isn’t it great? I wish that there was more of this good quality and affordable food around, so much is just a disappointment.
Belle: No worries
There is the urge for places like this to be kept secret, but the word was already out, and it is so lovely to see such a gem thrive.
Chocolatesuze: Oh, you know what? I totally forgot what flavour the macaron was. See, it was a little too sweet (even for me!). Pistachio and something. So pretty
Heidi / Savory Tv: Thanks. So nice to eat in the park, get away from all the traffic and computers just for a little while
FFichiban : Do it! Best pie I have ever had, did I say that already?
I’m pretty sure the macaroon was pistachio. It wasn’t too sweet. It was perfect.
the pastries look absolutely divine. i think i need a trip out to newtown. and a couple of people to help me eat everything i happen to accidentally-on-purpose pick up while i’m there…
thanks for the low down. i’ll be checking out that tart.
THOSE MACARONS LOOK AMAZING! I have been dying for a real macaron for more than a year now! MUST HAVE NOW!
Drooling at my computer at the moment…. I want everything you ate! I’m writing this place down right now.
James: Yeah, I think it was pistachio. Maybe we should go back and check, today. What do you think?
shez: Do it, it will blow your mind, and potentially also your belt.
Miss_Om: It still think that the macaron was a little sweet, though I will have to give it another go I think. Hey, I think that they have delicious macarons at Zumbo in Balmain (I haven’t been, but am dying to go), and also the Lindt Cafe. Good luck stalking your delicious prey.
Anita: Good! I am getting hungry just thinking about it again too.
I WILL go to Newtown soon, but in the meantime, I found the most delicious little caramel and fleur de sel macarons at la renaissance in The Rocks, and purely by accident too!
http://www.larenaissance.com.au/index.html. They had rose, vanilla&thé vert, strawberry and chocolate too!