Sweet and scrumptious, fresh and flavorful, rich and romantic, decadent and delicious… Need we say more?
Bluff View Art District, Chocolate Decadence Cake
Chocolate Decadence is more than a dream; it is Bluff View Art District’s most popular dessert. Visitors can enjoy this delicious cake at Tony’s Pasta Shop & Trattoria, Back Inn Café or Rembrandt’s Coffee House, where it is made daily in the Rembrandt’s pastry shop. Custard-like, gluten-free ingredients are combined and baked in a hot water bath before being blanketed in a rich layer of creamy chocolate ganache, making the end result a sinfully rich, dense treat. With a chocolate rosette crown and chocolate paillete sprinkled along the edges, this mouth-watering treat is a perfect romantic dish for two.
Café on the Corner, Aunt Trudy’s Caramel Cake –
ManyChattanoogans are already familiar with this classic local dessert that once graced the menus of Ms. Gerturide’s tea rooms in Fountain Square and Fort Wood in the 1930s. Aunt Trudy’s iconic Caramel Cake is a yellow cake made with sour cream – making it extra moist – and topped with a “burnt caramel” frosting that is similar to maple fudge. The ingredients in the frosting are cooked and then whipped to attain its grainy texture. Even though its recipe has been published in numerous local cookbooks, many flock to the restaurant where Trudy’s family still serves her most popular dessert.
The Melting Pot, Yin & Yang Chocolate Fondue
The deep cocoa flavor of dark chocolate strikes a perfect balance with the richness of white chocolate in this fondue recipe served at the Melting Pot. An abundance of choices including marshmallows, fresh bananas and strawberries stand by on a plate ready for dipping. Traditional desserts such as pound cake, brownies and Rice Krispies Treats® can also be dipped in the chocolaty blend, and if that’s not enough, an ultra-rich slice of cheesecake topped with a chocolate cherry is an option. With the delicious chocolate recipe, the wide selection of dipping desserts is enough to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Mercatino Delicatessen and Coffee Shop, Grilled Polenta Cake
Mercatino, a delightful little Italian get-away café on the Northshore, offers a dessert that will delight both seasoned and amateur taste buds. Using polenta, made from ground cornmeal, the cake is soft and tender with a hint of orange zest. Olive oil laces the surface of the cake that is grilled to perfection and topped with a yogurt and chiffon sage sauce, sweetened with honey. A sage leaf accompanies Georgia strawberries fanned out atop the cake. A little drop of balsamic reduction on the plate adds a little sweet tang to go with the strawberry providing an enjoyable taste experience.
Mt. Vernon Restaurant, Amaretto Cream Pie
It’s hard to imagine Mt. Vernon Restaurant without its signature dessert – Amaretto Cream Pie. This 55-year-old family recipe is a city-wide favorite. The cream filling uses rich amaretto liqueur, and the crust is made with a sweet pecan and butter-based cookie dough. Topped with fluffy, freshly whipped cream, slivered almonds on top complete this slice of heaven. An excellent choice for special occasions, this dessert can be purchased as a whole pie or by the slice. Says a server, “We would have to lock our door and close the restaurant if we were ever out of Amaretto Cream Pie.”
Table Two, Bing Cherry Sorbet
The natural sweetness of Bing cherries is the highlight of this simple, sweet sorbet at Table Two. A frozen blend of sugar, water and fresh Bing cherries is shaped into three sorbet globes and topped with candied ginger, adding a special finishing touch of flavor and texture. This refreshing sorbet can be personalized by substituting cherries with locally grown blueberries bought weekly from regional food markets. Mango and other tropical fruits such as pineapple and coconut are available throughout the year.