I've lived blocks away from Shokolad for almost two years now, and despite some recommendations and its convenient location, I never made it in to try anything. Now that I have been, I'm supremely upset that I've missed out for so long.
I went in with a couple of friends this afternoon for a late brunch. I was hungry for something breakfast-y, but once I perused the menu, I realized there was the possibility for some delicious Ukrainian/Eastern European-style dishes with which I have little experience.
After some negotiating, the three of us decided to split the mushroom, potato and tarragon varenyky (Ukrainian pierogies), the Ukrainian sweet cheese crepes, and a Saturday special, gutsulske pechenya, which was essentially a hearty beef stew. While we were waiting, I noticed a table order a handful of little cookies before their meal, so we decided to follow suit.
The cookies turned out to be shortbread wrapped around a delicious honey hazelnut butter. They were so well executed--perfectly buttery, not too sweet--that my already high hopes for the impending meal were substantially raised.
We were not disappointed. Everything was absolutely, amazingly delicious. The varenyky were served in a deliciously smooth cream sauce and topped with fresh chopped dill. The potato, mushroom and tarragon filling was earthy and herby, though not overwhelming, and the dough was perfectly silky. The crepes were also very well prepared, avoiding the cloying sweetness that many brunch spots in surrounding neighborhoods push on their sugar-crazed acolytes. The gutsulske pechenya was phenomenal. It was, essentially, the platonic ideal of pot roast: deliciously tender beef, soft potatoes, whole braised mushrooms, and a thick, well-seasoned and freshly herbed sauce.
I've been home for a few hours now, and everything I ate has haunted me with memories of gastronomical delight. I want to go back. Like right now. I will go back, probably tomorrow. And sometime next week. And at least once a month for as long as I continue to live in this neighborhood.
A couple other items of note: for this kind of quality, Shokolad is insanely cheap. Our tab for all the items above, as well as three cups of bottomless coffee, was $39. Seriously. $13 a person. I think the exact same meal, served at Lula cafe, would have been nearly twice as much.
Finally, I would recommend you avoid the mistakes made by some reviewers of this spot. You can get an omelette anywhere, or a turkey club, or a caesar salad--all of which Shokolad also serves. Why go for ubiquitous deli/diner staples when hard-to-pronounce deliciousness awaits you on the other side of the menu? Help yourself to Shokolad's specialities. Order something off the daily specials list. Order something with an intriguingly vague description.
My buddy put it best: everything we ate tasted like someone's Ukrainian grandma had spent all day cooking it at home. What else could you want? God. Damn. Delicious. read more