Did anyone ask for after dinner coffee and sweets? I think I heard you say it. Or request it. Or suggest we write something to that effect. No? Really? Because I’m writing one today and I think it’s perfect for everyone who likes to go coffeeshop/dessertshop hopping after a long day at the office and a heavy meal. Criollo.
Yup, that’s the name of one of the newest cafes in the city. CRIOLLO. Actually, it’s also a restaurant that serves sandwiches and pastas but for some reason, with its ambiance, I always associate coffee, chocolates, pastries, and sweets to it. WhenI go to Criollo, it’s their chocolate fondant that I always order. I have to be honest though that it’s pretty simple and ordinary but there’s nothing like fruits and mallows, and little brownie bites dipped in melted chocolate… that’s always special.
An order of Chocolate Fondue in Criollo will bring you this plate:
What will it be?
A dip of yummyness
It contains bite-sized pieces of kiwi, strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, and brownies. The milk chocolate comes in a mild flavor. It’s sweet and oozing with decadence. The lighted candle below keeps it just the right kind of warm.
Kiwis that are just right, not too sour! I prefer the plain mallows to this kind.
Ripe strawberries and somewhat dry brownie bites.
Dipping is an art, if you may call it at that. The goal is not to waste a single droplet of the gooey melted chocolate. Think you can do that? And no licking of your fingers of course because the rods make sure that you’re not supposed to use your fingers in this fondue. Haha!
Ready for a sweet night.
We also try this hot chocolate suco which has a ceremony before you can drink it. It’s fascinating, the ritual, but I can’t wait to drink my hot chocolate. Haha! #EQproblem
How can we toast to that? Haha!
1. Light up the candle in your burner-like mug (yes, that’s where you drink the chocolate).
2. Throw in the chocolate chips, er, discs in the milk. Number of chips depends on how chocolatey you want your drink to be.
Stir that chocolate until it becomes a melty gooey goodness
3. Using the metal straw, stir the chocolate slowly until they melt.
Pour the milk
4. Put the milk.
Chocolate discs and caramel syrup plus a stirrer and straw in one that I wanted to take home, hehe!
5. Add a bit of your choice syrup (mine was caramel).
6. Stir and sip slowly.
What’s in my table
I enjoyed the ritual and the hot chocolate. I wanted to take the mug and straw home.
My pictures didn’t do their desserts justice that’s why I recommend you visit their Instagram page. There, you’ll drool like there’s no tomorrow. They offer customized cakes and pastries too. One of the cakes that caught my eye says “Goodbye to Single,” or something to that effect. Haha, perfect for bridal showers. They also have chocolate pieces that has interesting fillings: chili, honey&cinnamon, strawberry&basil, pistachio&marzipan, and mint&green tea to name a few.
In Criollo, every night is a stellar dessert night.
Criollo
Tahlia Street,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
T: +966-11-4640819
Twitter: @CriolloME
Instagram: @CriolloME1
