Schokolart, Soho KL @ Solaris Mont Kiara

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Put “eat chocolate” at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you’ll get one thing done.

Author Unknown

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Which is precisely what I intend to do. Because, like it or not, there are days when everything seems to go wrong.

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When work pushes you beyond frustration, and all you want to do is look heavenward and ask, “Why me?”

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But all things happen for a reason. For now, let me eat chocolate.

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I first chanced upon Schokolart when I was walking around the shops at Soho KL (checking out Tenji and a couple of other places) with Boolicious and Unkaleong. It wasn’t officially open then, but I was attracted to the quirkiness of the decor (predominantly polka dots in various shades of blue, white and black) and resolved to visit later. After all, as often as I say chocolate’s not my thing, I still find myself gravitating to it occasionally. A case of multiple personalities perhaps.

I eventually found the perfect occasion when my friend, Gard, visited from Norway. After a pleasant lunch on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we hopped over to Schokolart for desserts. Had I known that they served more than desserts at Schokolart (like the unique chocolate chicken satay which comes highly recommended), I’d have skipped lunch at the other eatery. Anyhow, we got ourselves a few drinks including the signature Temptation, an oblong cup filled with thick, rich hot chocolate (62%) with a piece of cinnamon marshmallow. I thought it was very good. The Bull’s Eye was a shot glass filled with white and brown Cacao liqueur. Very sweet with a hint of alcohol that breezed down the throat. The Choc-Cheez cake didn’t impress as I found it a bit too dry. The highlight was, of course, the itty bits of chocolates in pretty names like Wasabi Raspberry and Sweet Spice. The designs are appealing; the dainty pieces are generally decorated with motifs that reflect the ingredients. Gard found some of these chocolates lacking in intensity of flavour, for example, he’d have preferred a stronger supplementary taste instead of allowing the flavour of the chocolate to dominate completely. I get what he means, but again, it is a matter of personal taste. I love white chocolate, and so enjoyed the Mango Passionfruit chocolate very much.

The bill came up to approximately RM94 for two people – not cheap at all. A better bet would be to go for their hi-tea (3-5pm on weekends) priced at RM35+ per person, or the Chocs-To-Die-For Soiree (every first Saturday of the month – next one on 7 March 2009) from 9pm to 12 midnight priced at 78+/98+ (with dinner) which includes free flow of 48 different concoctions of chocolate cocktails. Wow, I’m getting dizzy already!

Espresso Double Shot RM10.00
The Temptation (Hot chocolate) RM12.00
Choc-Cheez RM9.50
Bull’s Eye RM18.00
Chocolates 100grams (9 pieces) (dine-in) RM36.00

(service tax applies)

Schokolart (website HERE) (located opposite Tenji)
Block K-01-05, Soho KL @ Solaris Mont Kiara
2 Jalan Solaris
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-62030968

Also check out:  Masak-Masak (review of the first Chocs-To-Die-For Soiree), Lingzie and vkeong.

When you think you’ve seen it all….

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What do you get when you pair a seemingly innocent kid….

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…with a sour cream coffee walnut cake?

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You get a broken birthday candle….

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…..perhaps, a slice of cake too…..

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….and a very satisfied customer!

Credits:
Sour cream coffee walnut cake by Fatboybakes. (He takes orders)
“Seemingly innocent kid” – nephew of Lyrical Lemongrass

Rave reviews:
“Fatboybakes’ cakes are getting better and better!!” – father of “seemingly innocent kid”
“Wow! This is an amazing cake!! Not too sweet, and tastes wonderful with coffee!” – grandfather of “seemingly innocent kid”
“I love the crumble topping!” – mother of “seemingly innocent kid”
“Light on the palate. The walnuts/brown sugar/cinnamon combo is fantastic!!” – Lyrical Lemongrass
“Mummy, may I have somemore?” – kid

Not so rave reviews:
“Can I have Fatboybakes’ chocolate cake for Deepavali?” – matriarch of the house

Ochacha @ The Gardens

brownie
Topsy Curvy Brownie

In my household, Bald Eagle will attest to the fact that desserts aren’t really my thing. Given a choice, I’d always pick savoury over sweet. On the other hand, Bald Eagle is Kelantanese and everyone knows how much the Kelantanese like their sugar. (Opposites attract?) But the interesting thing is, when two people have been together for so long, their traits start rubbing off on each other, especially their mannerisms and their tastes. Sometimes they even start looking like each other. Which would be tragic in my case. It does take a certain head shape to be able to carry off the bald look and hey, we all know I’m not it.

Nowadays, I hardly say no to a good dessert (especially pavlovas). But Ochacha doesn’t carry pavlovas. Not many places carry good pavlovas. Sometimes, one has to beg good baker friends to make pavlovas for them.  Sometimes, one resorts to dropping broad hints.

U Call This Tiramisu
U Call This Tiramisu (no seriously, that’s what it’s called)

Ochacha does carry a wide range of green tea desserts and beverages, though. The Ochacha Latte is a nice way to kick things off.  The brownie, I felt, despite having a strong chocolatey presence, had absolutely no matcha flavour despite the thick green cream. I had a lower expectation of the tiramisu as I was warned by a more seasoned patron of Ochacha that the green tea flavour was mild, but even he agreed that the tiramisu was good that day, with a good matcha flavour and a lovely creamy texture (despite the lack of alcohol). The moral of the story is that it is always good to approach a subject with an open mind instead of having preconceived expectations.

And sometimes, even chefs have bad hair days.

Ochacha Latte
Ochacha Latte