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2008-12-02
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When EPOCH opened its doors right by the newly opened One Island East, fellow dessert lovers were excited, myself included. Having been to various local joints, Epoch is more like Pop Bites but more accessible, and in this EPOCH, fewer variations. In fact, having visited the Wan Chai branch, I've felt, in more or less the same way, about desserts at EPOCH. Can't say I'm indifferent about it, they just don't ring the surprise bell for me. The new "coffee bar and desserterie" greeted me with its s
The new "coffee bar and desserterie" greeted me with its signature orange and brown sofas. Everything in the setting oozes out exuberant sense of comfort and relaxation...essential in a coffee bar like this one. The ambience is cool with a playlist that shows you what's been playing in the background...mostly indie pop and contemporary jazz. Coffee and Jazz are a lethally matching couple. I've realized it ever since I visited FUEL at IFC. EPOCH enhanced the effect with its open space within the decor arrangements. Plenty of tables, but you won't feel the least bit squishy inside.
Baked goods are priced from $15 to $23, while beverages ranged from $17 (Ristretto/ Espresso Freddo) to $40 (Varlhona Hot/ Iced chocolate). There are a variety of Grilled Panini and cold sandwiches, salads and even plates of pasta to choose from. The stars of the show are certainly the famed desserts. The 7 -layered Varlhona chocolate cake is still available here, ($32), so is the Opera, Marbled cheesecake and Domed Cheesecake ($30). The barista recommended Ivory Rose($32), a rectangular stick of a mousse cake filled with rose-flavored white chocolate mousse and a mixed berry jelly. The crimson leeched into the silky white that yield a gradual fading of pink from inside out. Instead I opted for the chocolatey favorites -- the Varlhona Devil Cake ($30), the Chocolate nuts brownie ($18) and a Latte ($32). Note that there is no nutless variation of the brownie. Unless you really like dried fruits with chocolate (like mediants), otherwise I would prefer the nut version but wait, why don't they have the plain version with no nuts?! The brownie pictured here can certainly satisfy a chocolate-craving crisis, with adequate chocolate flavour that will drive your senses to satisfaction. But is it the best brownies? Far from it. The crust is rather dry and crumbly and the walnut pieces are obviously left untoasted. Toasting enhances the nutty flavour and certainly leaving the process out is clearly not very smart. I prefer my brownies more moist and fudgy and this one can only be an 'ok' one, as only the middle is moist and the aftertaste is rather sugary.
The Latte is satisfactory, though despite my request of a hotter one I ended up with one that's not hot enough. The Varlhona Devil Cake ($30) was something different. Normally I opted for the Opera or the 7-layer kin, yet today I intended to leave the textures department alone and went for the velvety smoothness of mousses. The mirror glaze was sweet and light at the same time and the chocolate mousse underneath is just sweet enough. I would prefer the bottom to be a moist sponge with chockful of cocoa nibs that offer a bitter bite to the chocolate. Instead, the sponge underneath the mousse was dense and sweet. In the middle layer between two chocolate mousses is a passion fruit jelly layer. The light golden jelly, said to be homemade from scratch, will satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth as it did not offset the richness of the chocolate, but having added substance and a fruity sharpness in the dessert win a few extra points. (But how exactly does this chocolate-passion fruit 'two-way punch' gets to be 'devilish'...is beyond me.)
If chocolate means dessert, then Epoch certainly has what it takes to be a desserterie. I'd like to think that the concept of desserts are not to be taken lightly, given the love it receives across the board from children to adults, foodies or whatnot. Epoch brought its variations on one theme (chocolate) to the Eastern District intending to impress dessert lovers. I'd like to see various creations using seasonal fruits. Yes, berries are year-round, and chocolate and chestnuts (Mont Blanc -- a tower of piped chestnuts on a sponge-- $30) are rather Fall/Winter options. Hopefully there will be some introductions of novelty tastes like Seville Oranges and Quinces, or herbs and blossoms in the world of sweets? Then let's not forget, Epoch's ambience and the food it offered conveys a certain and clear message to the busiest crowds -- which is to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy a pleasurable pastime of coffee and cake.
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