At Shokolaat, dine slowly the French way
I was going to name this post “Dark dining,” but thought I should continue the French theme. We had French lunch, and here’s French dinner on the same day (we should have gotten a croissant for breakfast that morning for completeness, but oh well…). Sorry for the invisible pictures, didn’t want to disturb other customers around with the flash, and like an idiot I didn’t remember to switch my camera to candle light mode. I don’t know if that would have helped any though, the candle you see in the picture above is the only light source on the table. They meant to make a dreamy romantic setting, not one for inspection.
Let’s go straight to the food: 1. they were tasty, 2. they were small. Actually the girl next to our table couldn’t help but cried out the second remark when the food was brought to her, she also made a quick approximation that you could get 20 cheeseburgers from McDonald for the price of one of these dishes. That is true, but I don’t think I would enjoy 20 cheeseburgers as much as I enjoyed my pate chaud stuffed with quail (pictured), which appeared on the menu as “quail stuffed with brioche and foie gras pithivier, black truffle ice cream, tarragon veal jus.” Don’t get turned off by all the fancy names, (as unattractive as they may sound), because the most undesirable flavor in the bundle, which is the black truffle, is on the side thus easily avoidable. If you have not tried black truffle, it’s recommended that you try so that you know it’s very much the antonym of “good”, “pleasant”, or “alright”. Just gently move your brioche to a safe area outside the reach of the melting skunk, and eat. The brioche and the quail is simply excellent. Normally a pastry of that size would take me at most 4 bites, roughly 5 minutes, to finish. But in a restaurant like this, one oughta at least try to show some manner, so I cut the poor thing into tiny little bites and mostly licked the tip of my fork. I managed to finish in 15 minutes, with long breaks in between. The brioche kinda just melted in your mouth, and the quail was so tender you don’t really need to chew a whole lot. What slows you down is your tongue wanting to savour the sweet, buttery, slightly salty juice. Eating slowly also helps your tummy feel full, so that the modest size of the meal becomes reasonable.
We also ordered Australian lamb (it could be Californian lamb, who knows, right?). The picture didn’t come out very nicely, though. There is no weirdo in that dish, so it’s safe to enjoy everything and leave nothing left but the bones. Different taste, same deliciousness. The portion is also slightly more generous than the quail. 😉 If you’re still hungry, the bread brought out earlier while you were waiting for your entree is a good filler, albeit not a spectacular one.
The place was getting busy around 8:45. We had to make reservation earlier in the afternoon, but when we came we had a choice of sitting indoor or outdoor. That’s something many would consider quite neat in downtown Palo Alto, where you can have a nice walk along the narrow streets, glancing through windows of various shopping stores, cafes, and restaurants spilling out chairs on the pavement, or you can play the spectator role, sitting outside, gazing at people passing by. We opted for indoor, which explains the darkness. 😛 The seating would have been more comfortable if the tables next to us weren’t so close. In fact, the inside of the charming restaurant is a little cramped. There was hardly enough room for two skinny persons standing between a long dining table and the glass cabinets of chocolates. Oh yes, we did have desserts, and we spent some good time looking at the desserts to decide which one to get. Bittersweet chocolate cremeux (with banana and white rum), and chocolate caramel tart. Both served with some fruity ice cream. The cremeux was good, but a little ordinary. The tart oddly resembled the chicken crepe, with a taste of butter and cheese. The restaurant is called Shokolaat, I know, but unless one day I woke up kicking and screaming for some gold in my tummy, I would always go to Blue Danube Cafe for chocolate.
Dinner with dessert for two plus tip was $70. See website.
Address: Shokolaat
516 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 289-0719
Update: the portions are now bigger, according to Food Gal.
I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t find your email subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please let me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
1Hello I am so happy I found your webpage, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say kudos for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the awesome job.
2I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.
3Great weblog here! Also your site so much up fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate hyperlink for your host? I desire my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol
4There are definitely a variety of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to deliver up. I supply the ideas above as normal inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up the place a very powerful thing will be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if greatest practices have emerged round issues like that, but I am certain that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both boys and girls feel the impression of only a second’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
5I have read some good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how a lot attempt you put to create this sort of wonderful informative website.
6I don’t even know the way I stopped up right here, but I thought this submit was great. I don’t understand who you might be but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger for those who are not already 😉 Cheers!
7Have you ever thought about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. However think about if you added some great graphics or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could definitely be one of the greatest in its niche. Great blog!
8I used to be recommended this website by my cousin. I am no longer certain whether this post is written by way of him as no one else recognize such designated about my trouble. You are incredible! Thank you!
9Thank you for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this website. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply could not come across. What a perfect web site.
10I like this post, enjoyed this one regards for putting up.
11My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
12I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
13you’re really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a great job on this topic!
14Hey! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest writing a blog article or vice-versa? My website goes over a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other. If you’re interested feel free to shoot me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
15Excellent post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I am inspired! Extremely useful info specifically the ultimate part 🙂 I deal with such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a long time. Thanks and best of luck.
16You made some first rate points there. I regarded on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will go together with together with your website.
17Some truly nice and utilitarian info on this site, likewise I think the layout holds good features.
18Wow, superb blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The overall glance of your web site is magnificent, as well as the content material!
19I’ve read some just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you place to make the sort of great informative site.
20I wish to express my thanks to the writer just for bailing me out of this circumstance. Just after browsing through the world-wide-web and coming across opinions which are not powerful, I assumed my life was done. Existing without the solutions to the difficulties you’ve solved through your main review is a critical case, as well as the ones which might have in a wrong way damaged my entire career if I hadn’t encountered your web blog. The knowledge and kindness in playing with a lot of things was excellent. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a solution like this. I can now look ahead to my future. Thanks a lot so much for your reliable and sensible guide. I will not think twice to propose your blog post to anyone who requires recommendations about this problem.
21I beloved up to you’ll obtain carried out proper here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish. however, you command get bought an edginess over that you wish be handing over the following. ill without a doubt come more in the past again as exactly the similar just about very regularly inside of case you defend this increase.
22Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
23Admiring the time and energy you put into your blog and detailed information you present. It’s great to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed material. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
24I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I certainly liked reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the information coming. I enjoyed it!
25I’ve been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this kind of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Studying this information So i am satisfied to express that I have an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I came upon just what I needed. I so much without a doubt will make sure to don’t omit this web site and give it a glance regularly.
26My developer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard great things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
27Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really realize what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Kindly additionally visit my site =). We can have a link trade arrangement between us!
28I have been surfing online greater than three hours nowadays, yet I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is beautiful value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you probably did, the web will likely be much more helpful than ever before.
29Hey would you mind letting me know which webhost you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good hosting provider at a reasonable price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
30You are my intake, I have few web logs and sometimes run out from to post .
31Wow, amazing blog structure! How long have you been running a blog for? you made running a blog look easy. The entire look of your website is great, let alone the content!
32Respect to op, some fantastic entropy.
33What i don’t understood is actually how you’re now not really much more well-preferred than you might be now. You are very intelligent. You recognize thus significantly on the subject of this matter, made me in my view believe it from a lot of varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t interested except it’s one thing to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. At all times take care of it up!
34I was wondering if you ever considered changing the layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
35This web page is known as a stroll-via for the entire info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll undoubtedly discover it.
36Only wanna state that this is extremely helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
37Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
38There are certainly numerous details like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to carry up. I provide the thoughts above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you deliver up where the most important factor can be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged around issues like that, however I am positive that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each boys and girls feel the affect of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
39I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
40Thanks for the good writeup. It in truth used to be a leisure account it. Glance advanced to more introduced agreeable from you! By the way, how can we communicate?
41Some times its a pain in the ass to read what website owners wrote but this website is very user pleasant! .
42Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really helpful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to present one thing back and help others such as you helped me.
43I found your weblog site on google and check a couple of of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Searching for ahead to reading extra from you later on!…
44Throughout this great pattern of things you actually get a B- for effort and hard work. Where exactly you actually lost me was first on the particulars. You know, it is said, details make or break the argument.. And it could not be much more correct right here. Having said that, permit me inform you just what exactly did give good results. The authoring is actually quite persuasive and that is probably why I am making the effort to comment. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. 2nd, even though I can certainly notice the leaps in reason you make, I am definitely not certain of just how you appear to unite the ideas which help to make the actual conclusion. For the moment I shall subscribe to your position however hope in the near future you connect the facts much better.
45After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any means you can take away me from that service? Thanks!
46I like the efforts you have put in this, regards for all the great content.
47I would like to show my appreciation to the writer just for rescuing me from this difficulty. Just after exploring throughout the the web and getting ways which are not productive, I figured my life was gone. Living minus the solutions to the difficulties you’ve solved as a result of your good guideline is a serious case, and the kind that would have adversely affected my career if I had not come across your website. Your good know-how and kindness in maneuvering everything was excellent. I’m not sure what I would’ve done if I hadn’t come upon such a thing like this. I’m able to at this point relish my future. Thanks so much for your reliable and result oriented guide. I will not be reluctant to endorse your web page to anyone who would need assistance on this area.
48I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or blog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this site. Studying this information So i am satisfied to exhibit that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I came upon exactly what I needed. I most no doubt will make certain to don’t omit this web site and give it a look regularly.
49Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your site in internet explorer, would check this… IE still is the market leader and a good portion of people will miss your great writing because of this problem.
50