Ontico Patisserie is a Korean-style bakery café specialising in fresh cream cakes, Basque cheesecakes, chiffon cakes, and a variety of baked goods. It operates two locations: one in Sydney’s CBD and another at Rhodes Waterside.
Strawberry Fresh Cream Cake ($8.90)
This cake features a soft vanilla sponge layered with strawberry-infused cream.
The combination of chunky strawberry purée and fresh cream deliverseda vibrant, aromatic strawberry flavour, particularly delightful during peak strawberry season in summer. This natural flavour profile contrasted sharply with the artificial taste often found in strawberry-flavoured products. The light sweetness of the whipped cream balanced the tangy, fragrant strawberries, while the sponge added a subtle baked vanilla note. Delicate yet refreshing, this cake would make a wonderful choice for celebrations or casual indulgence.
Black Forest Cake ($8.90)
This cake features chocolate genoise layers enveloped in whipped cream infused with cherries.
The cherries are incorporated as a chunky purée mixed with the cream between the layers, providing a noticeable fruit presence. However, a bolder cherry flavour with more tartness, such as sour cherries, would elevate the overall experience. Similarly, the chocolate genoise layers, while soft, lack a pronounced chocolate richness. Additional elements, like a cherry syrup soak with a hint of kirsch and more generous dark chocolate shavings, would enhance the flavour. Despite these minor shortcomings, the mellow harmony of cherry and chocolate makes for an enjoyable dessert, though more intensity would take it to the next level.
Chunky Chocolate Walnut Cookie ($6.90)
This cookie features a golden-brown exterior with a soft centre, studded with dark and milk chocolate chunks and walnuts.
While the cookie was satisfying, it may not appeal to those who prefer a crisp exterior followed by a gooey centre, similar to the style of cookies from Kuki Soft Serve & Cookies. For those seeking a softer, chewy texture, this cookie delivers a pleasant combination of flavours and textures.
Overall, Ontico Patisserie provides a well-rounded selection of cakes and cookies with a broader appeal compared to the sweet potato and cream cheese-focused offerings popular in the 2010s. It would be a pleasure to revisit when in the area and seeking a celebratory cake.
Ontico Patisserie is located at Shop 28, Level 2 Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre, 1 Rider Blvd, Rhodes NSW 2138