Genre-Bending Cuisine: Black Star Pastry Is Giving Its Rosebery Spot the Izakaya Treatment for an Entire Weekend
You'll need to pick up chopsticks on your way to this inventive pop-up, which stars rockmelon nigiri, a pomegranate molasses and yuzu 'soy sauce' and the Ari-Gateaux sushi cake.
If you've ever wondered what a sushi fare from Black Star Pastry would look like, taste like or even entail, you needn't wonder any longer. In celebration of International Sushi Day, the popular Australian mainstay will completely transform its Rosebery site from a bakery-slash-cafe into a Japanese-style izakaya serving up sweet and savoury sushi.
After putting itself on the map with its coveted watermelon cake, the dessert brand has not shied away from concepts and collaborations that riff on its offerings in the past. From cocktails inspired by its cakes and festive treats to a meteor cake celebrating World Chocolate Day, Black Star Pastry has served up many reimaginations of its creations.
Black Star Pastry's flagship in Newtown
Next, you'll find a weekend-long pop-up at its Rosebery spot. From Friday, June 21–Sunday, June 23, the joint will be decorated with paper lanterns to match the sushi-themed dishes that it'll be slinging — and its menu will even see the return of its Ari-Gateaux (a fun fusion of Japanese and French which loosely translates to "hello cake") sushi cake. If you manage to secure a spot, you're in store for a showcase of the Black Star Pastry crew's incredible culinary skill.
As for the lineup of Willy Wonka-esque treats on offer, expect a chestnut cream-filled gâteau sponge with poached pears and finger lime 'caviar'; a grapefruit jelly-, julienned rockmelon- and lemongrass cream-starring creation to lead the sushi rolls; a torched rockmelon nigiri; a pomegranate molasses and yuzu 'soy sauce'; matcha white chocolate 'wasabi'; and pickled apples in place of pickled ginger.
Plus, you'll be able to pair these limited-edition dishes with neo-Japanese drinks. The sips selection stars reimagined variations of Japanese street food containing Four Pillars spirits, such as doughnut yakitori, a matcha-centred cocktail and a Japanese chicken curry pie-inspired option.
Tickets for a meal at the izakaya are priced at $70 with seatings available from 6–7pm, and go on sale from Thursday, May 30.
If you're looking to get your hands on the famed 'Ari-Gateaux' cake, you'll need to preorder as stocks will be limited. The item is priced at $16 a pop, and you'll be able to collect your order from the Newtown store — and Melburnians can join in on the action by ordering pickup at the Driver Lane locale on Tuesday, June 18.
Black Star Pastry's izakaya pop-up will run from Friday, June 21–Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the corner of Dunning Avenue and Hayes Street in Rosebery. Head to the Black Star Pastry website to pre-order your Ari-Gateaux cake, or visit the izakaya's reservations page to secure your spot at the limited-time pop-up.
- The 14 Best Hotels In Melbourne
- Ten of the Best Airbnb Stays You Can Book Around Australia
- The Best Indian Restaurants in Sydney
- Sixteen of the Best Private Accommodations You Can Book in Regional Victoria
- Fifteen of the Best Places to Stay in the Blue Mountains
- The Most Idyllic Island Accommodations You Can Book in Queensland