DELICIOSO

Last night I went out with my significant other and his family to my favorite restaurant, Asti. The bread, appetizers, and entrees were incredible as usual. I'll skip to dessert since I don't want to run out of space writing every detail of each fantastic course. 

We ordered Affugato with Warm Beignets (my usual), Raspberry Sorbetto & Summer Berries, and a Lemon Semifreddo. I started off with the Warm Beignets, for I knew they'd be "out of reach" (or resting in the stomachs of Vitali's family) if I waited longer than two minutes. I snatched one of the puffy cinnamon sugar delicacies, dipped it in the rich combination of Vanilla Bean Gelato and warm espresso. At first bite, the flavors were intoxicating with soft textures complementing the warm donut shaped pastry. Prior to this meal, I did not think there were any other desserts that could come close to the superiority of the affugato. 

Taking my spoon and scooping out a sliver of the raspberry sorbetto changed everything. The smooth frozen treat had a strong raspberry flavor. Perfection is the only way to describe the fresh sorbet, not too sweet, nor too tart. It was just right. Never in my life have I tasted a better sorbet than this one. To top it off, the scoop bathed in a shallow bowl of Prosecco. This splash of pizazz added elegance and delight to my new beloved dessert. 

The final dessert, I tasted was a (half-eaten by you know who) lemon semifreddo. In Italian "semifreddo" means semi cold or half cold. Now imagine, if you haven't already indulged in a dessert of this kind, a cold custard-like lemony dessert. The texture was creamy and smooth like gelato and the flavors of  sweet fresh lemons taunted my salivary glands; and left them begging for more. The presentation was fabulous, with drizzled sauces enhancing the natural beauty of the round semifreddo. 

Asti's fabulous cuisine will never fail to fascinate me, my taste buds, and my culinary imagination. 

Until Next Time Meal, 

The Confectionist

Chocolat, the Film

I recently watched the 2001 film, Chocolat. The plot was brilliant in exceeding my expectations. A mother and daughter, after moving from place to place, set up a chocolatier in a small French village. Since Vianne, opened her store during Lent, the townspeople resented her for tempting them with sinful chocolate. The village begins falling apart, as they deprive themselves of Vianne's fine delicacies. Only when one estranged woman enters the chocolate shop, do others begin satiating their lustful desires. 

This spectacular film romanticizes the art of chocolate making through scenes in a traditional-style kitchen, images of delectable treats, and passionate characters.  

If you haven't seen Chocolat, you must! Just be sure to have a chocolate(y) treat nearby; you will be craving it throughout the film. 

MY FAVORITE

And the winner is... (drumroll)... POLKADOTS! This fine boutique cupcake bakery is conveniently located just blocks away from where I currently reside. When I first walked in  I felt as if I were walking into a Barbie dream house. The home-like architecture and pink wall colors eased my mind bringing my inner-child to my watery mouth, shaping it into a giant smile. I ordered a seemingly simple cupcake, "vanilla with chocolate icing" layered with mini chocolate chips.  The combinations of flavors and textures were anything but ordinary. It was absolutely transcending— moving me (and my tastebuds) to an imaginary world. I closed my eyes allowing all of my senses to wallow in bliss and all I could see were rows of these spectacular cupcakes. 

I have had my share of cupcakes. The local grocery store cupcakes are too commercialized with flavorless sugary icing putting my teeth through agony. Whole foods tries too hard to impress with colorful and outlandish icing designs. Maybe they are trying to compensate— but who's kidding who no pastry chef can can fool me. Sprinkles cupcakes are highly overrated; not to mention overweight with cake dense enough to sink a ship and frosting thicker than the molds dentists use to fit you for a mouth guard.

You know that gritty feeling you have in your mouth after you've been exposed to most icings or awful cake frosting? Now you can forget that. Polkadots icing is smooth, fluffy, and flavorful— just the way it should be. The cake is not too heavy nor too light, providing you with divine happiness with every bite. After years and years of searching for the ultimate cupcake, I have found the one. Tasting Polkadots for the first time was like seeing the city of Venice for the first time— it was like a dream. Lucky for you and me, Polkadots is no fantasy; it's reality.

This calls for a celebration...cupcakes anyone?!