9th April 2008
Lacks WOW! factor
London changes you. I remember thinking that when I was having a conversation with friends about 'How many glasses of champagne is too much?". This is ME. I never used to drink champagne and here I am pondering when is the polite time to slur 'No thanks' to the offer of a top up. But posh stuff is so in these days. So, it was with a sense of excitement that I ventured into London's first dessert bar last Sunday, with my friend from South Africa. "This place is amazing" I told her confidently, pretending that the glossy PR that I had read was firsthand experience. Getting a little bit lost in Shepherd's Market betrayed my confident exterior, but we eventually found it. At first glance, the shop is a little unassuming. I like that.
Sunday last, if you recall, was when we had snow in London. It was freezing. I was really looking forward to sitting indoors, hands warmed around a mug of hot chocolate while I casually decide which desert to choose first. Meanwhile, jealous passers-by would press their noses against the window while I mouthed 'Shoo!' at them. It wasn't quite like that.
The shop is lovely. It is really rather plain and simple, but very stylish. And cold! So cold! Maybe it's because it had just opened, or maybe it's always like that to keep the desserts cool, but not once did we feel like we wanted to stay any longer than we had to. Maybe that's the plan... It also didn't help that my seat was right next to three glass shelves, so everytime I looked sideways I got a sharp shelf corner in my cheek.
The service ranged from friendly to uninterested (the staff disappeared and we literally could have walked out without paying), but I was disappointed that the Dessert Bar area (where chefs create wonders in front of your eyes) is not manned on Sundays, although a bit of research before would have told me that.
The Aztec Hot Chocolate didn't have nearly enough kick, tasting to me like, erm, Hot Chocolate; the desserts themselves, at £5 - £7 each looked magnificent (see pictures) but were ultimately forgettable and the whole experience left me wondering why I shelled out almost £30.00 when I could have had tea and biccies at a posh hotel nearby. And have a glass of champagne. At least I'd be warm.
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