Restaurants offer chocolate finales that are more than simple desserts
The newest incarnation of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" opens Friday.
You might be looking forward to the latest Johnny Depp-Tim Burton collaboration, partial to the book by Roald Dahl or a fan of the 1972 Gene Wilder film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
But the key word here is chocolate.
And if you've got a sweet tooth after an evening at the movies this weekend, the city's restaurants have some imaginative antidotes. Far from a simple slice of chocolate cake or a gooey hot fudge sundae, these chocolate creations are sophsiticated and distinctly grown-up.
One of our favorite chocolate desserts sampled recently is actually a set of three -- Chocolate Three Ways ($8) at Soba in Shadyside. It's the creation of pastry chef Dottie Hubbard, who had the enviable task of coming up with a new chocolate dessert for the pan-Asian restaurant.
The dessert consists of three petite portions, one each of a chocolate crumb pudding, a white chocolate-oolong creme brulee and a honey-orange ganache. The crumb pudding is a hot, thick and fudgy indulgence that is an update of Hubbard's grandmother's recipe and is decidedly non-Asian. But Hubbard looked to the Far East for inspiration for the other two treats -- Asian oolong tea mixes beautifully with white chocolate, and orange and chocolate is a classic pairing, along with oranges being ubiquitous in Asian cuisine, she says.
The dessert is an impossibly delicious ending to a meal at Soba, which features Asian-inspired dishes of fish, seafood, chicken, beef and vegetarian choices -- in small plates, large plates and bowls. The three-level setting with a rooftop shaded patio is cool and sleek, a chic setting to indulge your love of chocolate. 5847 Ellsworth Ave., Shadyside. 412-362-5656.
As lovely to behold as it is to eat, The Melting Pot restaurant's Yin & Yang ($14 for the small, $26 for the regular) fondue dessert combined melted white and dark chocolates representing the opposing colors of the Chinese symbol. It comes with strawberries, bananas, pineapples, nut-covered marshmallows, cheesecake and pound cake for dipping. The dippers give each of the chocolates different flavors with each bit, so you can mix it up a bit. The restaurant itself features nothing but fondue -- and the casual chic dining spot gets diners in on the action. Grilling a variety of meats and vegetables at the table then swirling them in cheese fondue or dipping in a variety of savory sauces spurs a lot of activity at the table. And it provides for almost endless combinations of entrees. Freight Shops at Station Square. 412-261-3477.
For another chocolate splurge, head to Lidia's in the Strip District for Flourless Chocolate Torte a dense confection with a texture between a brownie and fudge. Available on weekends during the price fixe brunch.($19.50). If you can't make it to the brunch, try Torta Gianduja ($6.50), available as part of the summer menu. This diet sin is a chocolate hazelnut cake served with house-made chocolate ice cream and chocolate zabaglione, a classic Italianpudding, and a hazelnut cookie. Lidia's, with its contemporary decor and airy, open dining room is a fine place for a date or just to indulge in a good meal by yourself. Hungry diners can head there in jeans or dressed to the nines - either way you'll fit in. Pair your dessert with vino from the extensive wine menu, or take it with a shot of espresso. 1400 Smallman St., Strip District. 412-552-0150
If you like a classic chocolate pairing, try the Peanut Butter Pyramid ($4.95) at Mantini's Woodfired , which contains a generous dose of chocolate. Cake topped with dense ganache will satisfy your chocolate sweet tooth. So heavy you don't even need dinner.....but in case you do you can enjoy wood-fired barbecue made by award-winning chef/owner Matt Mantini.
People who want to find the restaurant could easily miss it; as it sits between Station Square and the South Side's bustling main business district. The large bar at the front of the restaurant gives way to dining rooms in the back with tables spaced for privacy - a perfect place for a date. 601 East Carson St., South Side. 412-488-1960.
For the kid in everyone, Bonnet ($4) at Piccolo Forno is a homemade chocolate cake bursting with molten chocolate fudge that we love.
The building that housed the former Regina Margherita now is home to this eatery featuring Tuscan cuisine. The dinner prices are reasonable and the portions are large. Owner Domenic Branduzzi and his parents make everything, including the crespelle, delicate crepes filled and topped with bechamel, a white sauce common in northern Italian cooking. The restaurant is on the small side, but that adds to the the bustling ambiance.The restaurant feels and looks upscale but diners show up dressed up and dressed down. 3801 Butler St., Lawrenceville. 412-622-0111.
Many restaurants offer a "death by chocolate" dessert. But Caffe Amante 's is one of the best ones sampled. Its Death by Chocolate Cake ($5.95) serves up a three-layer devil's food cake with layers of rich fudge frosting, covered in chocolate buttercream icing, then topped with chocolate gaanache and sprinkled with chocolate chips on the side. Classic Italian cuisine and a staff ever mindful of curtain times in the Cultural District make this Downtown eatery a comfortable place to enjoy a pre-show dinner. Fifth Avenue Place, Second Level, Downtown. 412-391-1226.
The clubby but welcoming Common Plea restaurant has a deft hand with traditional continental classics such as steaks and chops, clams casino and Caesar Salad. Chocolate lovers can put the perfect period on the dining experience with the smooth and soothing Chocolate Mousse ($4.95) made with dark, bittersweet chocolate. 310 Ross St., Downtown. 412- 281-5140.
And despite the local availability of luscious and luxuriant desserts there are times when only an unadorned bar of chocolate will fill that empty space.
If lunch in the Strip District has left you longing for a quick chocolate fix head, to Mon Aimee Chocola t, a shop that features chocolate bars from countries as far-flung as Belgium, Venezuela, Australia and Mexico. They also do a swift business in truffles, chocolate-coated fruits, nuts, coffee beans and Gummi Bears as well as bars of baking chocolate, cocoa nibs, chocolate chips, cocoa powder and cocoa butter. 2101 Penn Ave, Strip District, 412-395-0022.
