Pastry: Inconsistently puffed and browned 7/10
Presentation: Effort made to cut, pipe and ice 8/10
Value for money: $5 - Large portion, promised more but filling 6.5/10
Overall score:7.1/10
The pie was a curry bomb of intensely hot (molten) curried beef filling that oozed everywhere. It was thoroughly delicious but somewhat of a hazard to eat in a paper bag. It set me up well to rip open the bag for the French vanilla slice that promised so much Judging by the love that had been put into piping the thick balls of custard filling and icing the top layer in fondant and chocolate. However, other than it’s very reasonable price and generous proportions it was a little disappointing. The pastry was thicker and more dry than fine, buttery and flakey. It had been baked unevenly and was quite brown in places, but pale in others and inconsistent in its thickness. The custard, too, looked like an excellent colour and consistency, but in reality was more firmly set and lacking in rich creamy vanilla flavour than I was expecting. The fondant was well patterned, but with my selection of custard slice Vs French vanilla slice being made solely on the icing I wish I had gone for the other option! It was perfectly fine but nothing memorable.
Though the French vanilla slice may not be one of the best, there is no doubt I will dive into the Arndale Bakery again for another one of their curry pies, and next time the custard (vanilla) slice. On a side note Mrs B wasn’t really able to taste the caramel flavour in the macaron either.