Chocolate Comfort at Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café

Posted by The Chubbychef on Jun 16, 2010 in Featured Articles, General Food News, Latest Resto Finds

Written by: Jane Chua of Between Bites

Tuesday night, Bubba, Zips and I trudged to Jupiter Street to meet Eva Wong, the wits behind creative chocolate at the fabulously posh Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café. Eva is Bubba’s long time friend but she can easily pass off as his cousin as well since they share the same family name.

Situated along the street of Jupiter in Makati, this chocolate boutique’s interiors is smartly decorated with plush furniture that are foxy, modern and posh –and all the chocolate sweets around create a romantic vibe perfect mood setting for a date. Last time I was here, service was less inclined. Forgivable since we visited during the first months of operation. Restaurants usually have their birthing pains and if you’re impressionable, it’s only safe to visit on 3rd or 4th month when the kinks have been finally ironed out. Service was more enthusiastic this time around but I surely hope it’s not because the proprietor is around.

Carlos a.k.a Zipster was the first in mind when Eva invited Chris and I over. Other than being the author behind FoodieManila.com, Zippy is the genius behind the most appetizing food photography. And like me, he carries a curious appetite with him.

Let’s begin the chocolate eclectic journey through Maitre Chocolatier’s menu.

On the Table

Eva and Chris happily did their catch-up over some light starters.

Fried Eggplant with Chocolate Sauce PHP 160

Interesting appetizer of very thin eggplant chips that are lightly salted, ready to be dunked in dark chocolate. Since the eggplant slices are lightly battered before deep-fried, it doesn’t swiftly absorb the chocolate sauce but one can taste the rich chocolate unmarred and with a bite.

Maitre Chocolatier Garden Fresh Salad PHP 210

A colorful mix of lettuce, tomatoes, crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken tossed with a tangy White Chocolate Orange Vinaigrette creating a perfect healthy salad. Start with a healthy and much lighter fare with the garden fresh salad served with pieces of crusty chicken dressed delicately with subtle white chocolate vinaigrette with tips of orange taste.

Grilled Chicken in Pomegranate Sauce PHP 295

Evenly grilled chicken with the slightest hint of chocolate-charred flavor with supple vegetables on the side served with pomegranate sauce that adds a sweet tarty pop that lifts the dish

Linguini in Pesto Sauce with Parmesan Crusted Chicken PHP 255

Al dente pasta linguini with fresh herbs and spices with crisp and tender Parmesan-crusted chicken strips

Zipster is not a fan of Pesto but this dish surely converted him to the other side. Pesto pasta was firm but soft to the bite with a fair amount of partly minty pesto sauce.

Roast Beef Panini P225

Roast Beef Panini PHP 225

The roast beef panini clearly won my attention among the savory dishes on the table. I believe chocolate really goes well with beef and this is a prime example of it. Bite the crunchy Italian herbed bread and sink your teeth into the tender strips of chocolate-coated beef, fresh carrots and zucchinis made more exceptional with the Mozzarella cheese and white chocolate dressing.

My attention consequently shifted to what Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café is all about –it is what droves of people come here for… late night, mid-day or at any given chocolate craving moment. The highlights are the absolute chocolate pleasures that are more delectable than the savory dishes.

Ferrero Hazelnut Crunch Cake –this is supposedly Maitre Chocolatier’s bestseller where a tempting creamy Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse meets a velvety Chocolate Sponge Cake and then beautifully decorated with the enchanting Ferrero Hazelnut.

Sweet Revenge PHP 250
Lindt Molten Lava Cake –Dark chocolate molten lava cake made from Europe’s finest Lindt Excellence Dark 70%, filled with oozing sweet and vengefully spicy chocolate served with vanilla ice cream

Sweet Revenge was the unanimously favorite on the table with its gooey warm chocolate that ruptures from the moist cake that’s bittersweet dark and spiced with chili. Midway when the chocolate flavor sinks in, the chili essence abruptly creeps in creating a sweet heat inside your mouth. Cool off with the vanilla ice cream that soothes your taste buds to a calm reverie. Bubba, Zipster and I loved the yin yang taste of darkness and sweetness, as well as the heat and arctic feel.

Virtuous Temptation PHP 237
Lindt White Strawberry Mousse Cake –Heavenly White Chocolate Mousse Cake topped with slices of fresh strawberries and Lindt’s classic white chocolate

All the chocolate desserts laid on the table are visually striking. Except that what gets me entranced is the well-designed chocolate taste that’s significantly distinctive from one dessert to the other.

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café combines the elegance of premium chocolates with modern day cuisine, on top of excellent chocolate-ridden desserts and the results are sublime. For true chocolate comfort, head over to Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Café and order their chocolate-laced desserts… make sure you order a cup of hot chocolate to go with it or chocolate beer for a total experience!

Maitre Chocolatier Boutique Cafe by Eva Wong

2A (Beside Starbucks), No. 28 Jupiter Street
Bel Air, Makati City, Philippines
(632) 897 8559

Carlos Palma Maitre Chocolatier Set http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlospalma/

Photo Credit
Carlos Palma of FoodieManila.com