The Grounds of the City opened in mid-2017 and its a truly impressive space featuring intricate joinery, French theatre lights and even a resident shoeshiner.

The prices are steep for dining in but there’s a dedicated takeaway counter serving lunch and pastries.

This is the Lime Meringue Tart ($7.50), a twist on the more common lemon meringue tart.

I had high hopes for a tangy lime curd, but unfortunately, this tart was disappointing overall. The curd is more like a citrus – not lime or even lemon – flavoured cream cheese that’s just as thick with a prominent cheese flavour. And the meringues are crispy hollow shells with none of the satisfaction of a marshmallowy or pillowy soft sweet contrast from usual meringues. The curd is shallow with a thick pastry base and a layer of coconut that seemed out of place both texturally and in terms of flavour.

Perhaps other cakes and the food fares better but this tart is a definite miss.

The Grounds of the City is located at 500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.