"I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations to bring down a multitude of saints crashing among the hazels and nougatines."
It was as if I could hear those words spoken by Vianne Rocher from Joanne Harris's novel Chocolat, whose character was brought to life on the big screen by Juliette Binoche, as I surveyed this quaint establishment in one of the inner streets in Katipunan.
Xocolat, the name plate said.
It should be the right place, I said to myself, as I was supposed to meet some friends there. I was not informed that the place looked more like a house than a commercial restaurant, thus the hesitation. Looking closer, I saw some people seated in the patio, eating leisurely. This assured me that I was indeed in the right place. It was a restaurant after all. And so, I walked on.
I went straight to the indoor area and found some of my friends seated in one rectangular wooden table around which were seats of various colors, designs and sizes. How artsy, I thought. I greeted my friends and, finding them already munching on some sweets, I proceeded to the counter.
I couldn't at once decide what to order for everything seemed delicious and heavenly. Red Velvet, Chocolate Rum Cake, Xocolat Cheesecake, Xocolat Carrot Cake and other chocolate drink offerings - with mint, with hazelnut, with muscovado and soy, lowfat and sugar free, or just plain but rich hot chocolate. There were also some tea and coffee selections, and rice and pasta dishes.
"I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations..." I heard in my head again as I decided on what to order during my first trip to Xocolat. Some minutes later, I would order their Grilled Cream Dory dish (served with rice, basil cream sauce and mashed potato) and a piece of That Xocolat Cake (a deep dark choco cake which they claim to be made for the absolute chocoholic).The soft Dory fillet matched well the tasty basil cream sauce and the smooth, creamy texture of the potatoes while the richness and balanced bittersweet taste of That Xocolat Cake was bliss in every bite.
True, I wasn't able to buy all of my heart's desire during this first trip, but I was able to taste some of those other delicious concoctions during later visits. I discovered how the chili, salty flavor of the Spicy Tuyo Pasta could fuel one's brain and body as one prepares for a report, how drinking a cup of Taza de Xocolat could make reading a novel magical, how eating Xoco Lava could be sweeter when shared with friends, how one could enjoy being drunk in love as one finishes off a slice of Chocolate Rum Cake, how the rich color of This Red Cake (Xocolat's version of Red Velvet) as a gift could express the heart's sincere gratitude to a mentor, and how each sip of Aztec Xocolat could get your mind bursting with inspiration and creativity to keep writing. All this in a cozy, homey, eclectic place.
When I first came to this restaurant, I imagined hearing the words of a fictional character inviting me to try on the magical sweets that she sells - dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations. Indeed, Xocolat could stand in for those. And the taste of their food? Oh, so good... every bite could make the saints crash down in envy, creating heaven here on earth. read more