FOOD MATTERS
Chocolate from around the world now at Viva Chocolato
New store in Domain is a chocoholic's heaven
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
A new shop has opened in the Domain with what might be the largest display and selection of chocolates in the area. Viva Chocolato, founded by Mark Adams and Nino DeFalcis, is the exclusive Texas dealer for a wide variety of chocolates imported from Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy and Spain and is featuring chocolate truffles and bonbons from American makers as well. Eventually, the locally owned shop plans to make many of its chocolates to go with the full dessert menu and other offerings that include fondue, crêpes, chocolate-dipped waffles, croissants, sundaes, gelato, specialty drinks and wines selected specifically to pair with chocolate. The shop (3401 Esperanza Crossing. 339-8482) also could become a popular after-movie spot because it will be open late. Viva Chocolato's hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Play with your food by board or by Nintendo
The bad news is that "Foodie Fight" (Chronicle Books, $18.95), a small-board trivia game for those who pride themselves on being experts about all things of the table seems to be sold out at most places. (Watch for more to be available in the spring.) But the good news is that the electronic game "Cooking Mama 2: Dinner with Friends" (Majesco, $30) abounds. A fun game for a much younger audience, it runs on a Nintendo DS and helps kids go through the motions of fixing 80 dishes from spring rolls to escargot to ravioli. Our 8-year-old tester spent several hours chopping, stirring, slicing and frying with a stylus on the display screen. "It makes me hungry," he said. It also exposed him to dozens of international dishes, generating enough interest for tasting similar foods.
And, therein, is the extra value. Any game that gets kids or adults to eat something besides pizza, chicken tenders and mac 'n' cheese is definitely worth Santa's time. (Though this version won't be available on Wii until spring, an earlier version, "Cooking Mama Cook Off," is. And, according to Mobile Gaming News, a cell-phone edition of "Cooking Mama" is also available.)
Treat fido to the flavor of gourmet in his food
Christmas is coming, and Fido's stocking is empty. Give the chew toys a rest and try spicing up your dog's food. Make It Gourmet dog food seasoning blends come in five flavors from BBQ to pawsitively pizza. A local product, the blends come in jars and a suggested serving is a couple of spoons sprinkled on Fido's usual food. It can be purchased for $10 a jar at simplyfordogs.com or Fetch in Westlake, the Menagerie in Jefferson Square, Mid-Town Grooming off North Lamar Boulevard, Sweet Charity in the 26 Doors Shopping Center and Camp 4 Paws on Burnet Road.
A taste of wild turtle just for stopping by
From Jean Georges to Fearings, diners are given complimentary little chocolates or caramels to take home with them. Now, Hudson's on the Bend delivers boxed petite portions of its famous Wild Turtle Pie with the bill. Those who want more can purchase extras ($3 each). Can you say stocking stuffer?
A slice of sweet tastes from southern cakes
After spending 15 years in California, cookbook author and cooking teacher Nancie McDermott returns to the Land of Y'all to write about the Southern cakes of her childhood. In "Southern Cakes: Sweet and Irresistible Recipes for Everyday Celebrations" (Chronicle, $19.95), the now-North Carolina resident explores the tastes and traditions of these cakes: fresh coconut, pound varieties, caramel, red velvet, jam, Mississippi Mud, orange slice, oatmeal, stack, hummingbird, lemon and thousands of calories more. Filled with color photos, this cookbook is a baker's keeper and a Southerner's book of delicious memories.
