May 26

Chikalicious (NYC: East Village)

Favorite Food Entries + Food 20: NYC

Yes more sweets! My friend's been telling me about this "dessert bar" on East side called Chikalicious. You order a 3 course dessert set with your choice of the main course from a list (changes often). There's wine pairing as well. There're about 15 seats inside (waiting line form outside) and the chefs prepared the plates right in front of you. Party over 4 is not allowed~ We had a late dinner reservation so we came here for dessert first and didn't have to wait too long, because everyone's at dinner.

So we all got the Prix Fixe menu $12 that'd include the Amuse-bouche, choice of dessert and petits fours.

It's opened by a husband + wife (chef) team, (the male assistant in picture is not the hubby; the owner running around is the man). Everyone gets the same amuse, I wish I could remember what it is. Fresh and fruity~

My choice: Strawberry Soup with Honey Parfait and Halsamico Agar Gelee (LOVE it! so light, pillowy and lovely and variety of texture~). My friend's choice: Vanilla Sorbet on poached Rhubarb with Rhubarb Sabayon and Toasted Pistachio (I never knew Rhubarb can be a main dessert ingredient).

Others' choice: Coconut panna Cotta with Basil Sorbet and Mango salad in sweet basil seed (the basil aroma is surprisingly fitting with 'sweet') and Warm Chocolate Tart with Pink peppercorn Ice Cream and Red Wine sauce

The petit fours.
The preparation and serving was fast, right open in front of us. The Fromage Blanc Island "Cheese Cake" that none of us ordered looked really good...darn!!! The presentation is not overtly decorate, but it's elegant at best given the fast turnaround at work. Normally you would only get fine dessert like these in upscale restaurants after an already $$$ courses dinner, what a great idea to serve dessert ONLY. Sweet lovers who want a little more refine experience will surely line up for it.

Freda | May 26, 2007 01:08 AM