Chikalicious Dessert Bar
203 E. 10th Street
(between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave)
New York, NY 10003 (212) 995-9511
132 Reviews for Chikalicious Dessert Bar
For all the trouble that I went through this place should've knocked my socks off. I waited in line for over an hour and paid a tab that was large enough for a nice dinner for two. No, I wasn't blown away by the desert here. I've had much better in restaurants thank you very much. Not to say that it is bad. The concept is really cool and the set up is a lot of fun - I loved sitting at the dessert bar and watching the pastry chefs in action. My point is that if all you do is dessert, you charge a fortune for it and you serve a tiny portion of it then you should "wow" your customers. Unfortunately, I wasn't.
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Perfect date place.
Everything about this place is so cute! from Chika herself, with her cute little brown hat, down to the dainty plates and teacups.
Sitting at the Chikalicious dessert bar is an experience onto itself...
watching Chika put together your 3 course dessert meal: with the starter "Amuse", followed by the 'entree' so-to-speak of your choice, then finished off with the "Petits Four" - a sampling of the chef's choice~
I loved the pineapple sorbet with peppercorn gelee "amuse" Chika served us. and she always serves with a smile~
yay for Chika!!
Great tasting dessert and presentation, but definitely a bit too expensive for what you get (small portions even for a fancy place), and the place is way too small. I'd prefer Kyotofu or the Dessert Truck, but I would go back here maybe only on special, rare occasion or to show to visiting friends.
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Damn, I can not believe there are that many reviews on chikalicious especially since it took me a year to finally be able to go. It must have been all you f***ers who were crowding this place.
This would be a great place to unwind and enjoy your coffee if it weren't for the mob of people staring at you and willing you to finish your dessert quicker. In all fairness, the staff does not rush you.
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Hands down the best dessert i have ever tasted. And yes, we waited even though we went at an odd hour of the day (3:30). One should be aware when one enters that it is two pastry chefs making your dessert to order in a small little closet-sized space offering three courses and alcohol pairings.
We had the grapefruit brulee, and it is like no brulee i have ever tasted. Elegant beyond measure, in presentation as well as flavor, the dessert courses here are precise and thus: flawless. Not too sweet, not too much. It is truly a dessert when you come to Chikalicious.
Seriously? No..
The wait wasn't so bad on a Saturday night around 10 and once you get inside it's cute. Little Chika is plating her desserts behind the counter and her super nice husband seats you with the most polite service.
But when I go to an exclusively dessert place I sort of expect great dessert. It's not like they have so much to spread their focus on. The concepts all looked very innovative on the menu, but the taste left so much more to be desired.
Bottom line: Go just to go. Don't expect much. Then you can decide for yourself whether you want to overspend your money on a second visit.
I am always a bit out of my element at a dessert bar. The idea itself gives me the heebie-jeebies: perfect tiny portions, doll-sized spoons, little dollops of sugar, clean white counters -- **shudder**
I did, however, enjoy my time at Chikalicious.
I went here after a birthday dinner not too long ago, and found it delicious, and deliciously unsatisfying. Maybe that's the appeal of a dessert bar.
I did the prix fixe for $12, and my choice of dessert was the warm chocolate tart with pink peppercorn ice cream and red wine sauce. Very yummy.
I'll probably return, if I can get up the courage to face the sterile cuteness. I'll probably try the prix fixe again, this time with the wine pairings for $7 extra -- the arrays of moscatos and ports seemed appealing.
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Tiny, but cute with meticulous presentation. The portions are small, but expertly done. I loved the coffee that had just the right amount of cream in it. Can't wait to go back the next time I'm in NYC.
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DISAPPOINTED. the place was tiny and i was cramped up to a corner. the desserts weren't as great as i hoped for. i can't be in a place where the waiter describes their portions as bites--"the marshmallow puff is about 2 bites and the ice cream is 3 bites".....ive tried the hype and i'm movin on. afterwards, i was craving for veneiros or a nice big cupcake--anything with more than 10 bites..!. our waiter and the pastry chef were really nice tho. Also, I thought the entire place was bare.
Great service did not make up for their price and food.
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3 course prix fixe dessert for $12. Everything here is freshly made to order. I have tried almost everything on the menu and the cheesecake (fromage blanc) is out of this world hands down. I have been there almost every day this week. The amouse bouche was a banana ice cream with espresso gelatin. The petit fours were: rum truffle, coconut marshmallow, and a butter cookie made with nuts. I have been there at least 6x to date.
Decor: A little cramped.
Notes: Thurs-Sun only, last call @ 10:45pm. Be prepared to wait standing, as this place is first come, first serve. You get to choose the bar or a table.
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This place is the size of an enlarged sugar cube. It's super cute, chic, and intimate. The modern minimal decor makes the place feel clean and bright. It seats about 15-20 people. There are tables along the walls but the main seats are at the dessert bar. Here you can view the two chefs creating every dish with extreme precision. It's a blast just watching them. They have to work in a very tight space but they work well as a team. There's only one other employee in the , the waiter. He is a suited African American guy with is very polite and hospitable. Everyone is very friendly. They even let my brother take pictures with his digital SLR, an unusual allowance especially in NYC.
The menu is an ample size. My brother and I both chose the three course-meal option. We're huge dessert fans, plus when we looked at the portions they're kinda like the size of dessert appetizers. The portions are well calculated because it doesn't make you feel glutenous.
The number one memorable dish I ordered was the cheese cake. They serve the cheese cake in two dishes: one that holds blended ice, the other holds the cake. The ice dish that sits underneath the cake acts as a chiller so that the cake doesn't melt. The cheesecake isn't your typical cheesecake. It's ultra creamy to the point of being soft liquid. The cheese cake is poured over with some kind of creamy liquid. I think that the blended ice dish is more for presentation because I ate it relatively quick. It was sooo good and I think one of their better dishes.
Once my brother and I finished our three course meal, we just had to order another dish. What's another $6 dollars? They even gave us extra dessert after our courses. We couldn't resist.
Overall this place is an experience. We even got Something different for all of those sweet tooth enthusiasts. Check it out, you'll have a blast.
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NYC #10
3.75
I love desserts, don't you? I can never get enough of it in a day. I must, I must have room for dessert...
Chikalicious is sooo cute ... but from afar, it's just a small lil place with so much to offer... at first I was like, awww, the name - so cute and soo catchy, but lil do you know that the owner's name is Chika, this Japanese (?) looking older lady in her 40's I suppose? Chikalicious is THEE perfect place to come for a small yet filling dessert after a gourmet 5 star meal, not only for their portion size, but simply just getting that sweet after taste ... mmmm... .
This place is super small, so don't be surprised when you see a line out the door ... for those who love to gab while munching on desserts, trust me, you'll feel bad with the ppl in the line that you'll probably stay max 5 mins after you finish their desserts that you're ready to pay your tab and leave... $12 sounds like a steal, but when you REALLY think about it, every bite of my dessert, whether I shared it or not, felt like a $1 bite. Im not joking... the dessert isn't really suitable for sharing ... or is it just me because I have a tummy for 10,000 and more?
Chikalicious is a dessert bar - never knowing what you are going to get... don't you love that feeling of the unknown? The menu changes as they run out of their ingredients ... We both got their $12 prie fixe, with a choice of Amuse, any choice of Dessert, and Petit Fours (with wine pairing, $7 additional) ... my friend and i shared their Chocolate Tart while my other friends shared their White Chocolate mousse. They were all simply yummy and divine and their presentations are super cute ...
The guys are super friendly and helpful.
For those who are on the go, just go across the street and get your goodies on the run at Chikalicious Pudding. I haven't been but Chika told me that place is for "to go" peeps...
And so, IMHO, the prices are not worth it... -1 and I am a person who will splurge if it is TRULY worth it and it wasn't like "WOWZERS" or "COWABUNGA!"
Funny // sad thing is, I could see myself coming in here often... and this is probably a place I'd bring out of towners too...
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I can't tell you how many times i've tried to go to this place, I mean I live like 2 blocks away, but everytime i've tried either the line was too long or it wasnt' opened. so finally last night for Valentines day I went. we suffered the cold and waited the 30min to get in. our determination paid off, as it was amazing. as suspected. Chika was awesome, making little jokes and swiftly moving her 5ft frame around.
was a great way to celebrate the holiday, but i think next time i'll go on a sunday night or during the day, to avoid the tourists and crowds.
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We finally were able to eat at Chikalicious. I had wanted to for months and months, but was not able to cajole my friends into wanting to go. I finally did, and we went at 6, before dinner. Even though they say that they only seat parties of 4, they pushed two tables together and happily served all 6 of us at once. The desserts were so amazing. I had the cheesecake, which was just whipped cheese on cheese sauce. So delicious!!! The chocolate cake and pana cotta were also delicious. They were very friendly, and I will definitely go back again. So much better than Chikalicious Puddin!
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Despite the proportionately small sizes to Chika's three course pre-fix dessert (which I label as $1 a bite), the enigmatic and vibrate flavors that are generated by each dessert is incomparable to the moderate price tag. Go with the Cheesecake, it's unlike anything you've ever eaten. Guaranteed to please.
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This is my best friend's favorite dessert place, so she finally took me when I went to visit her. The lines around dinner time are usually very long, so we went around 9:30 - 10pm on a Friday night, and only waited 15-20 min.
The desserts are small, but are beautifully presented and delicious. Try to sit at the bar, if you can, because you can watch Chika make all the desserts!
The only thing I thought was "weird" was the silverware. For such a small, cute, dessert place, I would expect the silverware to be more unique. But they just had the typical spoon and fork you use for a meal, nothing special. (I know, this is being VERY particular, but I can't help but to notice the little things... esp since I'm in hotel school, and that's what they teach us).
I would give 4.5 stars, instead of 4, if I could. This place is great!
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Pro: Creative and good dessert
Con: Lacking attentive service and space was too small. It gets crowded a lot.
Overview: Would go back with friends but not go out of my way for.
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Cheers to Chika!
This dessert bar is yum yum yum in my tum tum tum :) I've been here a couple of times and it was explained to us that Chika's menu changes daily aside from the two staples - the cheesecake and the chocolate tart.
I just went this past sunday and had the mango/pineapple tartar with banana ice cream and vanilla shortbread....it was to die for. Other dishes I've had are the chocolate tart and peppercorn ice cream. I know what you're thinking, but she does an awesome job with the peppercorn ice cream. She works with flavors that you think, really is that gonna work? And it always does. I've also had a butternut squash dessert, which was great as well.
Only drawback is the wait (go figure!), however it's totally worth it.
Chika has such a delightful smile as she proudfully presents you a dish that isn't overbearingly sweet and is very fresh. She makes the dishes as they are ordered and the service is great! Don with his calm demeanor helps you to wind down and relax, getting ready to enjoy his wife's creative treats.
A must go...just make sure you get there early enough. They do sell out as you will see when they post the sign on the front door.
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With the menu changing daily it hard to recommend dishes, but everything is stupendous. Chicka's presentation is second to none and the staff just a delight.
There was a group max of 4 and since we were 7 were a little apprehensive. But we arrived right at the opening time and there was no line. They sat all seven of us with a smile. I suggest the wine pairing a it is great.
It is worth every minute that you have to wait outside for it and every penny you spend
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We met up with Mr. Atif here recently to continue our dessert tour of NYC. Besides the 45 minutes of waiting outside in the cold (bearable only with great company), Chikalicious Dessert Bar was fantastic.
Once you get inside and seated, you realize.. this place is tiny! With four or five small tables, if you look to one side, you see other patrons enjoying their dessert. To the other side, you'll see someone waiting in line, staring at you to eat quickly.
But the desserts... oh the desserts... are delicious. We didn't try the wine pairings, but did have some wonderful tea to thaw us out from the cold. The amuse was light and refreshing mix of corn soup and mango sorbet. A great palette cleanser for our main dessert.
We ordered the Fromage Blanc cheesecake, Pear salad with Lemon Verbena Ice Cream and an Oolong tea pudding with sorbet. The cheesecake was light, airy and seemed like it was almost whipped. The Pear Salad was my favorite. It came on top of a nest of crunchy something and a spicy ice cream... it almost seemed like bourbon, but it was lemon verbena. The combination of the three was a great mix. The pudding was also very good... oolong tea was very much infused to give it a rich and flavorful aroma. Portions of all three were very small, but just right.
Overall, wonderful desserts and great presentation. Staff was also very nice. Do yourself a favor and come early and during the week. Unless you're with some fantastic people.
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Dear fellow Yelpers,
This place sucks!! I can't believe all of the positive reviews.
The place is expensive and the portion sizes are paltry. Sure, it was busy but I can't understand why. I'd much rather go to Payard on the upper east side or even Veniero's around the block. Chocolate by the Bald Man even blows this place away.
The service was with a smile, but it was rather slow. I really don't need my water served to me from what looks like a flower vase.
Take my advice, pass on Chikalicious.
This place is sweet no point intended!
Great place to take a date. Sit at the dessert bar though and watch Chika work her magic. I t was a sweet experience and the desserts were carefully presented. All around this place is great. Dont forget to go next door and try the Vaniila Brioche pudding -Yum.
I think people are entitled to say and write what they really feel (but based on the experience they have in certain field). As for food and wine, I consider my love and passion for it, just second to nobody. I respect people' opinion when it comes to free speech and their right. BUT make sure you KNOW something before you EAT. And know something before you write. These people due to the lack of food knowledge and appreciation certainly made them wrote like a drunk driver seen around 3 am!!!
If I can give Chikalicios 6-7 stars, I will. As for people who compained about the portion size, please tell me if you can find a great dessert with decent price. Comeon, 12 bucks for 3 course prix fixe...in NYC?? Please take a hike. Go to anywhere in the country, go to France, go to five star restaurants or go to all places owned by famed pastry chefs in NYC, then tell me you can find a better deal. Beside, it was made, plated, and served by the chef/owner and her sous chef. Give me a break. And give her some respect. You should stick to 1 doz of your normal Dunkin Donut and lousy cup of coffee. I am serious.......well, not rant and rave section, isn't it?. :)
Ok, let me continue my sincere thought. Yes, this place is tiny and you will be warmly cramped up if you are open-minded or afraid of being close to people who will enjoy the dessert as much as you do. Weirdo! Please check their capacity and waiting time before you go. It is NYC afterall. Try staying any hotel in NYC, rooms are so small. I waited 3 more hours before many times in order to enjoy the food I want to eat and the place I want to go. If your patience run very thin, no wonder that nobody want to cook for you at home either. So eat out is the best way to not being your own slave or have to put up with angry reaction from people who cook at home for you and can't stand your bioche attitude :)
Second, did I write the first? Anyway, for people who complained Amuse Buche and Petit Flour are so small. HELLO!!! Petit means GRANDE to you?? Amuse Buche means a piece of Rib Eye Steak??? Amuse Buche is a palette teaser. Next time if you see Kuroh Grande Amuse Buche, enjoy your a pair of smelly feet in your rear end exclusively from the chef of that restaurant. Ask if you don't know anything. You make yourself an idiot trying to be cool pretending you know what you are gonna get. Even chefs don't know everything. I am sure they've trained their staffs well enough to be ready to answer and assist you in the restaurant.
I called 3 times before I traveled from Boston to NYC and to Chika's place. Her husband picked up the phone every time with same couteous manner as same as he has while helping at his place. When I asked for anything, I was accommodated and treated very well. Yes, it is s-ck to wait outside in winter. But I went before it became busy. Service was very best. The best I had during this NYC visit. And most importantly, they are sincere and love their business more than a should-have-ego. Chika came out to serve every time. She also came out to personally thank us.
Dessert here is ranked to one of the best I had in my life. Better than some of the world class pastry or dessert shops I have visited. It tastes just perfect. Smooth, delicate, not too sweet, and nothing overpowering. Plating, portion, value, cleanliness, and overall satisfaction can still make some Bioche (yes the one that sounds similar to French bread) people Bioche about it? GIMME A BREAK.
Get your lazy butt up and try baking for yourself.... 3 courses. How much time you will spend and money you will spend? Eating sweet should make you happy, doesn't it? Go to Payard uptown in the afternoon when it is busy and they won't even let you seat in their empty dining room next time tiny area for dessert only. To be able to seat in the dining room, you have to get full afternoon tea. Read my previous visit at Payard. I enjoy every level of cuisine (5 stars to hole in the wall) as long as their attitude is to make you feel like their guest at home. Now you know what I am talking about. Go to Chikalicious and go early!
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I finally got to try Chikalicious on my last visit to NYC and was so happy that it lived up to the hype! Maybe because it was December and freezing, there was no line and I got seated with friends right away, Chika is a superstar; her desserts are fabulous and the wines she selects for each dessert course are perfectly paired. More please!
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I had a belly full o' soba noodles for dinner.
Wifey had a belly...
We were happy and full and lookin' for trouble in the culinary sense. We looked at each other knowingly and agreed that no matter how full we felt, no meal is complete until you have dessert. Fortunately for us, we were smack dab in the middle of East Village and within striking range of some great places to promote some major tooth decay.
Chikalicious is run by a sweet husband/wife duo. Chika is the creative genius while Don manages the "front of the house" affably. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with. Chikalicious is a serious dessert restaurant, not some low-budget fly-by-night bubblegum operation. White linens, wine pairings, and prixe-fixe menus are not the only unusual things this dessert bar will throw at you... this place has full-on FLAVA!
Sweet potato brulee with maple spaghetti, fromage blanc cheesecake, lemongrass and anise gelee with coconut sorbet... "these are a few of my favorite things" (melody from The Sound of Music blaring in the background).
A bit pricey for dessert, but worth every penny.
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ok maybe i just ordered the wrong thing... but i compare this place to room 4 and i loved room 4...
i have ordered a cheese plate from both places... the portions at chikalicious were the size of your thumbnail... um and the dates jelly was great but nothing i was wowed over...
my friend ordered a poach pear and he got exactly that... nothing fancy bout it at all... the ice cream that went with it was good but eh...
and then the last platter of cookies whatever that was... was just cookies... woopee!
i think i'm more into the creative desserts and this place is more for basics and good casual quiet place for talking and dating... as for my friend and i... we did round 2 of dessserts at max brenner cuz we were so disatisfied with this place.
i will prolly go back to try the cheesecake tho since everyone keeps raving bout how light and fluffy it is... until then i will keep my 3 star rating...
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The Mark W. Diaries (Part V)
Today I met yelper, Atif I. for a dessert outing. I've realized that if one has to pick up chicks, one should pretend to know stuff about dessert. I selected him as he is regarded highly by my idol at yelp, "He who goes *poof* in a cab". I requested some guidance and he agreed to meet at Chikalicious. As I read the PM, I knew the man's a genius. After all, what better place to pick up chicks than: Chikalicious! SWEET!!!
I had read that he eats a lot of dessert and so I skipped breakfast and lunch for our meeting. As we sat down, I surveyed the tiny place, almost like a shoe-box. The server soon came to hand us menus. I didn't see anything that I could recognize, and so made a mental note to eat chocolate and cheese popcorn from Times Square, later.
Mark W: I don't see any banana splits or sundaes on the menu!
Atif I: If you are here to stuff your face with sweets, you're in the wrong place.
Mark W: So, why did you bring us here? Shouldn't we have gone to Coldstone instead?
Atif I: Chika is an artist. She serves complex and creative flavor combinations presented exquisitely. The servings may be bite sized, but they leave you wanting more.
Mark W: What do you recommend from the menu?
Atif I: They bring the Amuse and Petit Fours themselves. The menu changes daily, but we should try their most popular items, The Cheese cake and Warm Chocolate Tart.
The server comes and places our order on the table with two glasses of wine.
Mark W: You're too Frou Frou for me. Couldn't you have ordered Bud?
Atif I: The desserts are meant to be enjoyed with the appropriate wine pairings.
I look down on the miniscule portions and can't understand which is what.
Mark W: THIS is the cheesecake? It looks nothing like what I get at my Deli!
Atif I: It is uncooked Fromage Blanc bathed in heavy cream served on a bed of ice. It's like a cloud and absolutely delicious. Get over your pre-conceived notions and try it!
Mark W: And the Chocolate Cake? Come on, surely you agree they got that wrong?
Atif I: Chocolate Tart. The dessert is not meant to be "Death by Chocolate". The oozing dark chocolate is accentuated by the peppery and floral ice cream and red wine sauce.
(I think.... Blah, Blah, Blah. Master *Poof* was right, he IS anal about dessert)
As the server brings our final course, I look at the small pieces and wonder why they are called Petite Fours as opposed to Petite Threes. Atif I. tells me that one is coconut marshmallow, the other is a butter cookie, and the last one is flourless chocolate cake
The bill comes to about $50 including tip, and I am convinced that next time I will take a chance on Pinkberry instead, after all the chicks seem to like that
As we are about to leave, I ask the question that has been on my mind all evening.
Mark W: So, you come here because this place has a lot of Asian customers right? (wink, wink)
Atif I: I am sorry, but I cannot dignify tripe with a response. Enjoy your day!
I decide against making my move here as I see people outside waiting for a table. I get up to leave and as I open the door, I feel a tap on my shoulder. A man is looking at me intently. He calls my name: "Mark W? "Yes"
"I heard you mention Asian women and that you are a yelper. We should compare notes. My name is Erik Fisc."
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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I'm sad to say it, but I found Chikalicious to be overpriced and overhyped. It's like an amusement park ride: you wait in line for a long time, but then it's all over before you realize it, and you linger afterwards just to hold on to the already dimming memory. In all, the anticipation is better than the short experience.
Yes, the service was excellent, the drinks were great, and the ambiance was good too. Yes, the desserts were artfully presented on beautiful dishes. But the desserts were just okay and *tiny*. Each dish was like an empty canvas with only 3 bite-sized dabs of paint. I felt like I was tasting each item rather than eating it, ya know?
Maybe it's just that I prefer savory over sweet, but $15 and a long wait for dessert that I can't remember an hour later is just too much, however fashionable the place may be.
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I almost didn't write this review just because it's apparent that Chikalicious is thoroughly loved and appreciated.
But...I wanna show the love toooooooo.
It's quiet and intimate but something about it is busy busy (the teeny weeny kitchen manages to constantly and consistently squeeze out likewise miniature creations. Like a Wonka factory. But I shall name it Chikafactory).
They beautifully mix texture, taste and aesthetics. Tangy and sweet, creamy and zesty, light and dark, nutty and fruity.
It's a great place to come in and become a fly on the wall...just watch, smell, taste, sip (wine), relax, and appreciate....and think when you can come back next. :)
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This place does not live up to the hype.
This eatery is very clean, but INCREDIBLY TINY and CRAMPED.
After placing our order, a chef came around to deliver some complimentary dessert - it was ice cream with some sort of sauce.
Our actual desserts were miniscule. My chocolate tart thing was really good, and the pink peppercorn ice cream/gelato thing was really good, although I think the wine sauce might have been a bit too strong.
After our plates were taken away, we were treated to a complimentary plate of jelly cubes, chocolate drop on a cake, and coconut marshmallow.
Service was good.
It was an interesting place to try out, but I would not go again.
Overpriced. Overhyped.
35 bucks for a couple bites of dessert. Yes it was good...but totally worth 3 more bites or so......
Beautiful, wonderful, fantastic, and all those good adjectives. Bring $50 and a friend and buy them the best dessert you've ever had lovingly created by a fantastic staff.
Seriously, I don't like rehashing what others have said, but if you're ever nearby and have an hour to sit down for dessert, do it.
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I'm not a sweets person...but this place was frickin' awesome.
I reluctantly agreed to stop in at the request of my genius girlfriend. We had just finished eating way to much food at one of those mediocre restaurants that tries to cover up it's crappyness by giving ridiculously large portions.
Though the place is small, the ambiance is relaxing. The service was pleasant and attentive. The desserts were creative, elegantly plated, and perfectly portioned. We both had the prix fix with the wine pairing and it was fantabuloso! Also, we were able to get in almost immediately because we went on a weeknight and also a bit later (hint hint).
This place definitely turned our otherwise blah dinner out into a great date night. Needless to say, making out ensued. Gracias Chika!
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Recommended for: Desserts.
Food 4.5, Service 4, Ambiance 3.
As many of you may/may not know, Chikalicious is a dessert lover's destination. It is a small but modernly designed cafe that only seats about 20 or so patrons. Why so few? Because Chika herself, along with her Souse Chef and Matre'd serve all customers. That's right, what you are eating, is created by the owner and executive Chef - that in and of itself should speak to the quality of the food.
At Chikalicious you can do wine pairing with any of their desserts. We were going to go with the pairing but, coming out from the cold for 40 minutes, we opted for their tea, which came out in large pots - they were fragrant and delicious.
While it is only dessert, it is treated like a 3-course meal. With the amuse being the appetizer, your main dessert being the entree, and a petit four your concluding dessert. The amuse was light and refreshing, a blend of corn soup, and mango sorbet it was a touch of sweetness, of tart, of creamy and of crispness. I like how not only the flavors melded well, but the textures did as well.
For the main entre, we each selected 1. At the time I was thinking to myself, self, you and Atif had 3 huge desserts at a restaurant one time, why limit yourself to only 1 each here, at least do 2. But, again, dessert should be enjoyed and not stuffed - though one can argue 4 or 5 desserts for 3 dessert lovers is an appropriate number. We ordered the Fromage Blanc Cheesecake, the Pear salad with Lemon Verbena Ice Cream and an Oolong tea pudding with sorbet. The Cheesecake was unlike any other I've had, it almost seemed whipped and was extremely light and airy, served atop a bowl of ice, the presentation was equally as impressive. The Oolong tea pudding was a tea lovers dessert infused with oolong tea, it had bits of crunch to alter the textural contrast of what we were eating. My personal favorite, was the Pear salad. Cold diced pieces of pear atop a crunchy topping, it was best combined with the ice cream which had a slightly bourbon taste.
The petit fours were a nice way to end our meal - my favorite was the coconut marshmallow pieces, the others really didn't do it for me.
With a smile on our faces we concluded our meal, and agreed that this is a great place to go to to not only enjoy wonderful dessert creations, but good times with friends... just, come early and on a weekday, the wait will be less.
Sean Approved: Definitely Yes!
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After our lengthy dinner, we wanted something light and tasty. Enter Chikalicious. I was already stuffed so the small portions were perfect.
The prix-fixe menu ($12) has amuse bouche, dessert choice, and petit fours.
I had the poached Pear with Asian Pear Salad and Lemon-Verbena Ice Cream. I felt like I was eating a pear it was so tasty!
My friend had the butternut squash soup with candied walnuts and sorbet. The combination of warm squash and cold sorbet created a lovely contrast in my mouth. Mmm...
Lastly, my other dining companion had the honey Almond Panna Cotta with Clementine Sorbet. I can't comment on the panna cotta, but the clementine tasted incredibly fresh and perfectly sweet (not overly so).
So if everything was tasty, why the four stars? It was good, but not something I *have* to eat. One of the joints I'd go to if I were in the area...
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There are places to grab dessert and then there are dessert destinations. Chikalicious falls in the latter category. Like high end restaurants, focuses on quality, unique culinary experiences that tantalize and leave you craving more.
I've been there several times now, sometimes during the day but usually at night. I would highly recommend visiting in the late afternoon, right at opening. Otherwise, you'll be waiting in a very, very long line that will only serve to raise your expectations for mind-blowing sweets. What you will get is a prix-fixe "3 course" dessert that will change the way you look at desserts. You'll start off with a little amuse bouche to get your appetite interested again. Then the main course -- sometimes a small piece of cake, or a panna cotta type creamy something, followed by petit fours (small cookies).
As I mentioned earlier, the experience is like a high end restaurant. Thomas Keller says he keeps the portions small at French Laundry and Per Se in order to give you an idea of what he is trying to convey -- but then just not enough so that you crave one more bite. The same principle applies at Chikalicious. You get wonderful flavors but leaves you wanting more. That's what keeps people coming back. Once you're in, it's a 5-star experience, but I had to dock a star for the typical long wait you have to endure.
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BEST.DESSERT.PLACE.EVER.
I made a small rule not to write any reviews for places that already have more than 20. I mean what else can I say that someone hasn't said already?
But, I couldn't resist!! I've been a FAN from the beginning and wanted to share. (Although, I really don't need more people lining up outside) Love Chika and Don!
Warm chocolate tart is a classic favorite.
This place is flawless.
Hint: Avoid Friday and Saturday Nights- much too crowded. Go on a weekday or on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon. Mondays thru Wednesdays are CLOSED.
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I had the honor and privilege of being taken here by none other than Atif I.
It has taken me quite a long time to write up anything on Chikalicious, as I am afraid I won't do it (and Atif) justice. I can easily say it was one of the most pleasurable dessert experiences I have EVER had. So very serious about after dinner treats we all are!
Actually, I must confess. We met here for a PRE dinner splurge. WOW. I know, sweets will ruin your appetite, but I beg to differ. And the portions here are just right so that you thoroughly enjoy - but don't get stuffed. In fact, they leave you wanting more. mmmm. good idea.
I do want more.
I am so impressed with the quality and presentation not only of the food but of the service. At one point, Atif and I decided that the sweat that was dripping down our brows must surely mean their AC was out. No sooner did we conclude that, when they hung a CLOSED sign on their door. How professional is that? They chose to lose $ on potential customers rather than have them endure the sauna within.
"This place is so cool, it's like being inside a matchbox.... a matchbox where all the matches have been set on fire!"
Or, in other words: this place is HOT!