This candy apple business is just so new to me. I never ever had a toffee apple, and I wouldn’t know where to start! I mean, are all toffee apples created equal? Where in the apple are you meant to bite into, so you don’t break your teeth?
I’ve got sensitive teeth, you know.
Well, maybe caramel apples might be the place to start. Love Dem Apples is serving up this healthy unhealthy treat (I believe that “North American style caramel apples” is the official name?) in the trendy Surry Hills, just ripe (teehee) for an after dinner treat.
The Order:
Peanut butter Chocolate Apple
Strawberry Caramel Apple with Pop Rocks
The Food:
I know it’s been a while, but I’m still not quite sure what I think of it. The concept is simple – Soft caramel coats the outside of a crisp Granny Smith apple, with other flavours added to complement. Visually they look very beautiful, and gifting these would look as impressive as gifting a box of donuts, just more novel.
I’m got the peanut butter chocolate apple, because peanut butter + chocolate + apple = AMAZINGGGG.
Peanut butter caramel apple
In this case, though, it felt a bit like the ratios were off for me. The tartness of the Granny Smith apple overwhelmed any sweetness, and while it’s healthier to have just a little bit of sweets with your apple, I don’t think any of us are actually expecting a healthy dessert, are we? I’d almost rather have apple pieces with peanut butter chocolate caramel poured over – makes it easier to eat, too.
Strawberry Pop Rock Apple
Jen’s Strawberry and Pop rocks combo garnered much the same response – the idea is right, just the ratios were a touch off for us.
There was an option for extra caramel sauce for $1 ($1.50?) I think, but if you got the apples to-go, you might not have known until it was too late. Also, it can get mighty messy trying to eat a whole apple dipped in molten caramel sauce.
The Service:
It’s hard to fault service when the people behind the counter look so happy to be there. I mean, given that it’s owner Joe and his mum (when we went), I’m sure they have a vested interest, but still. Very friendly and chatty, and clearly very happy with their own product.
They also very helpfully cut up my apple for me to make it easier to eat, which I appreciate.
Value for money:
At about $7 for a basic caramel apple (more for the premium ones) it’s a bit on the pricey side for me. Especially when you can get a really satisfying baller donut for the same price. But it DOES take a lot of work, and I’m sure shop rent in Surry Hills cost heaps, so it’s understandable.
Not ideal, but understandable at least.
The Vibe:
Brightly lit with all types of decorated apples in rows, this shop is part Willy Wonka whimsy, part Julia Childs homely. And with Jo actually making these apples during shop downtime, it really feels like you’re stepping into his kitchen, in his house.
There’s even a little bench space if you’d like to eat in, but these apples are definitely more of a grab’n’go type food.
And finally,
I’m all for the Sydney food scape getting different foods, and Love Dem Apples is doing just that – presenting something different. I want to love the apples more because the concept is fabulous, but somehow the execution doesn’t quite work for me. Worth a try if you were wondering what they’re like, though, but personally, it’s more the novelty of it than anything else.
This meal was independently paid for.
Love Dem Apples
454 Cleveland Street
Surry Hills, NSW
Phone: 02 8317 4842
Website: https://www.facebook.com/lovedemapplez/