This morning I went to the Lower East Side for the sake of a recent opening and in hopes of a good latte. It’s been ages since I’ve put my lips on a good latte or even a cup of superb coffee, so I went back to the Roasting Plant.
I ordered this time a medium latte ($3.50) since I wanted to know if their latte is good as their espresso or regular brew.
Whole Milk Latte (medium)
As you can see from the above photo, it’s a bust. The latte was too diluted with milk. It lacked the crema and the robust espresso flavor. I was disappointed but at least I know now that for a good cup of latte, just go to Ninth Street Espresso but Roasting Plant do have really great drip and espresso.
After a while walking around and getting lost in the Lower East Side for twenty minutes (I’m not too familiar with the geography down there), I finally found Cocoa Bar.
After staring at their drink menu for 5 minutes and contemplating what the heck I want to eat, I ended up ordering their Port Soaked Fig ($4.50), a Chocolate Cloud Cookie ($2), and a small dark hot chocolate ($3.75). Yeah, I’m stuffing myself with chocolate…
Dark Hot Chocolate
The food
The hot chocolate was well…milky. The chocolate flavor was practically muted out since there was so much milk.
But at least the food or snacks, technically, fared so much better. The Chocolate Cloud Cookie reminds me of an ultra light version of a fudgey brownie, if that ever existed. It had a thin, crisp crust with a fudgey, light center. It’s rich, decadent yet light in texture. I love this cookie. It’s a close version to Jacques Torres’ Mudslide Cookie without the chocolate overkill. I need a better comparison.
Chocolate Cloud Cookie
Innards
I bought the Port Soaked Fig just because I love figs. What isn’t there I don’t like? Hmm…I need to think that one out but back to the fig. The fig has infused with enough port wine that it sweetens yet gives it an winy, alcoholic bite. Don’t worry it won’t make you drunk. I have a low tolerance for alcohol anyways. The thin dark chocolate covering and the chocolate ganache (about 72% cocoa) that filled the center of the fig gives it a bittersweet contrast to the sweetness imparted to the fig and port. Even though it is pricey for its size but it’s worth it. I could make it at home but acquiring a bottle of port is pricey too. I’ll figure it out.
Bitten; I know it’s a bit gruesome
So it’s a day of mediocre beverages but good snacks or I should say desserts, even though I ate this at 11 AM. I’ll consider it dessert before lunch since my real lunch wasn’t really worth blogging about.
Addresses:
Roasting Bean
81 Orchard Street
New York, NY 10002
Cocoa Bar
21 Clinton Street
New York, NY 10002
