Atayef/ataif (front) and Date Ma'mul/Mamoul - Balha's Pastry, Brunswick

We dropped by for afternoon tea at a Balha's Pastry, Brunswick, a Lebanese pattiserie, on Sydney Road, Brunswick I just had to explore this palatial looking pattisierie/cafe filled with exotic looking cakes & sweets. There was a curved staircase leading to the second floor area and a huge chandelier hanging from the second floor!

The atayef was like a light chewy pancake filled with kaymak (a curd-cheese), with a texture like fresh mozzarella cheese, sprinkled with chopped pistachios and a red preserved fruit of some sort and drizzled with rose water syrup. What a magnificent dessert!

The ma'mul has a rich butter pastry which almost crumbled in your mouth. It was barely held together by the smooth date puree filling with the occasional chunk of date flesh. Perfect with a strong cup of black coffee! or cafe latte :P

From Postcards Episode of Sydney Road: Balha's Pastry has the most exquisite Lebanese pastry, where Lawrence was lucky enough to sneak a peek at how they create it. Situated in Melbournes famous Sydney Road, it is the perfect place to experience the true taste of Lebanon. Balha's Pastry 761-763 Sydney Road Brunswick Ph 03 9383 3944