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.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
1I always was interested in this subject and stock still am, regards for putting up.
2Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, thankyou.
3I like reading and I believe this website got some truly utilitarian stuff on it! .
4It’s actually a nice and useful piece of info. I am happy that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
5I love what you guys are usually up too. This sort of clever work and exposure! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
6You really make it seem really easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually something which I feel I’d never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely large for me. I am looking forward for your subsequent publish, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
7Do you have a spam problem on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was curious about your situation; many of us have developed some nice procedures and we are looking to trade techniques with other folks, why not shoot me an email if interested.
8F*ckin’ amazing things here. I am very glad to peer your article. Thank you a lot and i am looking ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
9You are my aspiration, I have few blogs and infrequently run out from post :). “Yet do I fear thy nature It is too full o’ the milk of human kindness.” by William Shakespeare.
10Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Fantastic. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
11Perfect work you have done, this internet site is really cool with wonderful information.
12Heya! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the outstanding work!
13I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for putting up. “To affect the quality of the day that is the art of life.” by Henry David Thoreau.
14Precisely what I was searching for, appreciate it for posting.
15An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
16I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
17This web site can be a walk-via for all the info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely uncover it.
18Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based on the same topics you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would enjoy your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e-mail.
19I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
20Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
21I think you have noted some very interesting points, appreciate it for the post.
22It is really a nice and useful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
23Appreciating the dedication 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 old rehashed material. Great read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
24I simply couldn’t go away your website prior to suggesting that I actually loved the standard info an individual provide on your guests? Is going to be back continuously to check out new posts
25Hi my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and include almost all vital infos. I would like to peer more posts like this .
26I found your blog site on google and test just a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the very good operate. I simply additional up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to reading extra from you later on!…
27Hello are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
28This actually answered my problem, thanks!
29I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own weblog and was wondering what all is required to get setup? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100 positive. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos
30I like this blog so much, saved to bookmarks.
31you’re in point of fact a good webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible. It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent activity on this subject!
32I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog visitors have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
33You could definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
34Glad to be one of several visitants on this awesome internet site : D.
35I have been exploring for a bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of house . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Studying this info So i am satisfied to show that I’ve an incredibly just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I so much no doubt will make certain to do not disregard this site and give it a look regularly.
36I’d always want to be update on new posts on this internet site, saved to bookmarks! .
37I really appreciate this post. I have been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again
38When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
39you’re really a good webmaster. The website loading speed is amazing. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve done a magnificent job on this topic!
40You made some respectable points there. I regarded on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will associate with along with your website.
41Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a speculative conclusion outstanding post! .
42I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting. “We seldom attribute common sense except to those who agree with us.” by La Rochefoucauld.
43Utterly indited subject material, thanks for selective information.
44You are my breathing in, I possess few blogs and occasionally run out from to brand.
45Electronic Business Card – The Smart Card. Create and share your professional electronic business card easily. In minutes. Choose from 100+ templates, connect with clients, and grow your business today!
46I reckon something genuinely special in this internet site.
47I am pleased that I noticed this website, just the right information that I was searching for! .
48Some genuinely interesting information, well written and broadly user pleasant.
49Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wondering your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade methods with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.
50