Trois a Charm: Tasting with La Petite Maison

So the patisserie chef over at La Petite Maison heard I had a bit of a sweet tooth...

What a crazy notion. 

Having been to the restaurant a bunch of times, I'm ashamed to say that I'd never tried the desserts! The Tagliolini? Check. The Poulet au Foie Gras? Why ofcourse! But I'd always stopped short of getting my hands on the holy piece of parchment that reads 'Les Desserts'. 

La Petite Maison are currently in the process of re-jigging their infamous dessert menu to introduce a slightly more cocoa focused undercurrent- and asked me to come in to throw in my two pence. Presented with the thought of chocolate and one of my favorite London eateries- well how can a girl say no?! 

I threw on this number...

that you can get your hands on here, and skipped off to the Brook's Mews eatery to meet with my dessert connoisseur. 

After a measured glass of Langoa Barton [warning it's pre 2000- so watch those fumes and avoid the embarassment of nearly choking to death in a full restaurant], I was ready for my trio dessert trial. 

Round 1: A molten chocolate and chantilly cream shot topped with a thick and buttery biscuit- that strangely melts in your mouth like a croissant. Sacre bleu! 

My only critique being- where's the rest of it? I could quite literally shot buckets of the stuff! 

Round 2: A whole heap of happiness. The Chocolate ice melt on a chocolate crumble base...

Go on have another look...

 Cheeky. 

And for my final trick... 

An innovative take on a chocolate parfait- complete with a hazelnut base, a thick slab of chocolate infiltrating the middle and a log of iced berry coulis sat oh so delicately on top. Definitely my favourite of the three. 

While still experimenting with the menu, this new wave of desserts will be with the eating public [yes that's all you fine people] just in time for Summer so get those reservations at the ready! 

Drive me Jivara

The recent change in weather has, quite frankly, made me miserable.

 My denim cut-offs and SPF 30 have been, temporarily, stowed away to make way for a colorful collection of sweaters and umbrellas to see me through this depressing transition between summer and autumn that London is currently experiencing. Don’t get me wrong, I love the crunch of Autumn leaves as much as the next person but it is this baffling ‘in between’ weather that has caused me to be desolate.

Craving a pick-me up, I headed to one of my favorite restaurants in London to encapsulate myself with what can only be described as the dessert of a lifetime. Ladies & Gentleman, I present to you...

                        

The Jivara Bomb.

And believe me it is The Bomb.

Upon ordering, a milk chocolate, hazelnut praline and rice krispies ball of a concoction that sits so elegantly on an unassuming plate arrives at your table. Look at her all unassuming...

As if butter wouldn't melt!

Oh but it sure does! The wonderful waiter leans over to pour a cascading waterfall of chocolate over her to reveal what can only be described as a smooth mousse like ice cream to be enjoyed with your surrounding river of chocolate. 

Dreamy.

Although the recommended wine on the menu is the VORS Pedro Ximénez “Noé” Gonzalez Byass Jerez, Spain, I prefer to go for the Laurent-Perrier Rose Champagne. 

The bubbling connotations of the champagne complement this dessert choice perfectly and are the perfect round-up to a truly phenomenal meal [take my word for it and order the Fresh Water Prawn- it’s scrumptious!]

Choose from two London locations, Hanway Place & Mayfair, and beat your end of summer blues by heading down to Hakkasan London to enjoy the Jivara Bomb.