Friendship Day with my best friends – N & Choco lava cake ;-)

This year, Friendship Day was filled with my favorite things. I met my friend N, who gave me his wedding invitation. We met up at Coffee Day Lounge, on Khader Nawaz Khan Road, which, I am sure, if I visit a couple more times, will become my favorite place. The two of us indulged in an activity we love – eating chocolate cake ;-). Well, these lovely creations deserve not just appreciation, but devotion, which is what we chocoholics are there for.

Last Sunday, at the exact same time, I was there at CCD lounge, eating the same choco lava cake with vanilla ice cream on top (it was so delicious that it inspired me to write a blog post on the choco-vanilla romance). This time, I chose Arctic Sun – a black coffee-vanilla ice cream blend. The waiter poured black coffee from a miniature jug, and left some on the table. The vanilla ice cream laced with espresso tasted unique, but when I put in the straw, a way-too-strong taste of choco syrup and black coffee hit me and there was little of it – it seemed to disappear before I sipped it. My Arctic Sun sank pitifully, in a dark sea.

Meanwhile the choco lava cake that my friend ordered arrived, and he simply loved it. I decided to order one too, as a consolation. I began eating only after taking a few pictures of it, and it thanked me by turning out to be absolutely divine. My friend liked the cake so much that he went in for a second one (can forgive him because he claimed that he ate chocolate last only on July 3^rd). Also it costs around 240 bucks at Sandy’s (where they put the ice cream on the side instead of the top), so I guess he derived great satisfaction from ordering 2 here (about Rs. 100 at CCD Lounge and totally worth it). I supported his decision wholeheartedly.

We walked out into a pleasant evening with happy smiles on our faces. It’s sad that I won’t be able to meet him again for the next 2 months perhaps, but I was very happy that we got to meet on Friendship Day. I wished him all the best for his life ahead and we said our goodbyes.

Then I went home. It was a pleasant ride, with relatively less traffic. It got a bit cloudy but light rain came down only after I reached home.

All in all, a lovely Friendship Day with a combo of all things that make me happy. Now I am gonna end it beautifully by watching Desperado (which is not friendship-themed, but still, has Antonio Banderas & Salma Hayek). Ciao!

The Story of Sinnocence

Plain Vanilla had a long and innocent history. She was a sweet soul who rested on the waffle cones of pigtailed little girls and was the occasional treat of plump chiffon clad aunties. She seemed plain, but rocked at tea parties, for she often was the indulgence of the majority of the genteel ladies and men.

Then, one day, she was plopped rudely by an apron clad man into a box. Next to her, she noticed an array of flavours, most of which were new entries. The man scooped her up and smashed her together with many other ice cream scoops. A greedy yuppy grabbed the bowl, then mixed spoonfuls of Plain Vanilla in medley of sauces and swallowed her in hurried & disrespectful manner.

The next day, she noticed all the other ice creams trying to jump up and peep out, craning their necks. There was a brown bottle being carried out from the pantry. The cook brought out a freshly baked brownie, held the bottle over it and gave a squeeze. Out came a delicious looking brown liquid that ran in swirls over the brownie. All the ice creams were gazing at the handsome liquid, but as he popped out, his locked eyes with Plain Vanilla and held her stare. “Hey Snow White…” he said in an incredibly smooth voice. Vanilla blushed and almost turned as pink as strawberry ice cream, but she was also a tad angry. How dare he hit on her this way! “Sorry, I never expected to see someone as gorgeous as you here. And I had to compliment you! I’m chocolate, by the way. See you around!” he said and winked, as the brownie was carried away.

Plain Vanilla had never encountered someone who behaved like that with her. Even if his voice was smooth, almost sugary for a guy, he did have a wicked side; but she wasn’t going to flirt with him. She wanted to stay a good girl.

That evening someone ordered a vanilla sundae. Plain Vanilla was wondering who was going to be with her, when she was scooped up suddenly and plopped in a bowl. She looked up to see the chocolate sauce smiling down happily and the next moment, he splashed onto her, snaking out his arms like rivulets. She protested loudly and he apologized, saying that he couldn’t get up, for that was how a sundae was. He was careful, yet, she saw that he was simply mesmerized by her. The cashew nuts sprinkled on them saw that he liked her and were passing glances and whispering to each other.

Vanilla was attracted to the dark and handsome chocolate sauce, yet kept her distance when he tried to flirt with her from afar. However, she could see that his interest in him was not because just her beauty. He also told her she was incredibly sweet and innocent & was very friendly, blending well with every other flavor. She gradually came to like him, but still wasn’t sure that he was the one. But chocolate brought about a transformation in Plain Vanilla and she didn’t feel so plain anymore.

One day, the chef made a choco lava cake and placed it next to vanilla on a plate. She had expected the chocolate to be there and kept looking around for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. Then the diner sliced the chocolate cake and there he was, dribbling out tantalizingly, winking at her playfully. She couldn’t help smiling and joined him on the spoon. They fell into an easy conversation, his interest in her flowing in sweet, flirtatious, yet affectionate words.

Vanilla felt a need to be closer to chocolate, yet didn’t get an opportunity. But he was her destiny and her wish was waiting to be fulfilled. The cook came up with a sinful recipe that he was sure would be loved by all. Vanilla watched as he prepared a thin walled chocolate cake with an open top. He then placed it in a dish and poured her darling chocolate all over it. Then chef scooped her up and plopped her right on chocolate.

Her sweetheart gazed up at her with undisguised passion on his face. He engulfed her in an embrace. She gazed back at him, her eyes glowing, and slowly melted into him, reveling in a puddle of beautiful love. Then she knew that he was absolutely perfect for her. And was born a sweet, sinful romance that is simply unequalled. One that will last in the world of desserts forever and ever.    

I thank Coffee Day, Sandy's and every other dessert destination that inspired this story. 

Mouna VIradam

Guide to following Mouna Viradam - Go to Sandy's Chocolab. Order a chocolate truffle ball. Pop it into your mouth in pani puri style and let it melt away slowly. It's 5 minutes of blissful silence. ;)

The Penny Pincher's Guide to Chocolate Shopping

Chocolaty treats can cost the world. A sundae at Sandy’s Chocolab sets you back by Rs. 200 (so enjoy it occasionally), the smallest available pack of Hershey’s Kisses costs Rs. 250 (noted during innumerable visits to Amma Naana), Pepperidge Farm chocolate cookies cost Rs. 195 – and they’re not even that great, as I discovered when I asked my cousin to get them from the US.

So, how can you scrimp on them and still satisfy your cravings? You can actually buy small treats ranging from ten to twenty five bucks and get more of them, adding variety to your chocolate diet. Here goes the list:

Treat-O Cookies: Britannia’s answer to Oreo, by the cookie’s appearance and name. But I found it way yummier than the Oreos I bought (I licked the cream and dumped the biscuits – but after trying to eat them). Chocolate flavour’s better than vanilla.
Price: Rs. 10

Mini Mars Bar: A low-guilt treat that’s worth every penny. Gooey, chewy, chocolaty and superior taste-wise to its competitors.
Price: Rs. 20

Choco-Hazelnut cream mini treats – I think these are imported from the Middle East or something. They’re available in bubble packs (like those single-use jam packs). There’s one that’s shaped like a heart and has exact half-half white and brown choco cream. Irresistible, and fun indulgence for the kid in you.
Price: Rs. 5

Kinder Wafer Bars – Chocolate coated wafer bars filled with milk & hazelnut paste.An anytime treat.
Price: Rs. 25

Lotus Chocolate Bar – Warning: I haven’t tasted it. But it costs only 10 bucks.

There is more stuff, that I’ll have to add to this list. You can get these at Brown Tree or Amma Naana. I wish you many happy chocolaty days ahead!

2011 – Year of the Chocoholic

Finally my “happy New Year full of great times (but restricted to one topic)…” post is out. A whole month late, because it is only now that I have acknowledged one of the purposes of my 2011. Which has incidentally been the purpose of half my adult existence. Yes, same old chocoholism. And an allied purpose is to avoid the dentist.

I’ve been experiencing terrible chocolaty cravings (even more than before) this year, because I’ve not been having much of an appetite – but chocolate and an appetite are unrelated – it connects straight with the heart. So I ended up going to Coffee Day in the evenings and skipping my dinner (felt proud of myself) a few times. And had frequent fantasies about chocolate mud pie (after tasting it at Pasta Bar Veneto).

Keeping fit has also been one of my concerns – as I’ve hardly done any hula-hooping (yes, it’s a great exercise) in the past month, apart from which I do nothing. I just hope to start a good exercise routine, so that I can accommodate the chocolaty stuff without guilt ;-).

On a concluding note, I hope that the cravings go down and I exercise more & I want to fit in a daily walking routine as well. These are my resolutions for now. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a good 2011. And hey, happy short and sweet February!

Original Sin

I have always wondered but never questioned (you don’t ask questions while eating chocolate) why chocolate desserts are advertised as “sinful” but are only a source of child-like happiness & how that is even related to sinning.

The revelation happened at Sandy’s Chocolate Laboratory.

What I had made Death by Chocolate ancient. I almost died of happiness and was catapulted straight to heaven. I had Yin and Yang, a combo of molten white and dark chocolate. They call it “chocolate potion” and it was truly like a magic potion.

And enjoying it was every inch a devilish sin! Yes, I found the true meaning of committing a sin by eating that potion. I got really high (serious, with goose bumps and all!). Though I am a diehard chocoholic, I’d never discovered nirvana this way. I got a huge kick; an overdose of happiness yes, but it was accompanied by the feeling of having experienced something I was completely forbidden from doing. “I feel like I’ve just killed a person,” I told my friend jokingly.

I half-stumbled out in a happy daze. I was really glad my friend took me to office on his bike, because I doubt I’d have been able to ride mine with concentration.

Now, Sandy’s Chocolab is constantly on my mind. I’m itching to commit more sins. Hopefully, I’ll be going there again today.

Ok, here’s information that, according to me, doesn’t fit into an article on sinning, but I gotta say it anyway: Sandy’s has a range of desserts, cakes and chocolate creations to turn saints into sinners. Most of the desserts and potions are between Rs.80-200. A couple are priced very high. There’s one that’s actually called OMFG (the price is OMFG too – nearly 700 bucks; but it’s enough for more than 3 people, I heard.)

Sandy’s also has sausages, meat, hash browns, waffles, pancakes, panini and more. The meat hovers between affordable and expensive, at around Rs. 160. The cake slices start at around Rs.130 and go sky high - upto Rs.220-240 apiece (yeah, unheard of).

So, go commit a few sins with their potions and desserts! Bring out the devil in you!

Sandy’s is in RA Puram, on the lane behind Madras ENT Research Foundation, close to Cream Center (have dinner there and dessert here!). The lane is off Greenways Road, near the signal before St. Mary’s Road… blah blah, ok if you don’t understand, sorry. I’m bad at giving directions :-P. Check out Google Maps.