ChikaLicious, a review

Photo Source: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/chikalicious/


A friend of mine was excited to show me a place that he found with some of his coworkers on night.  He mentioned the name and it sounded vaguely familiar, but I couldn't remember exactly when I had heard it.  


ChikaLicious is a restaurant that only serves desert.  No appetizers, no entrees.  To avoid the long lines that you usually encounter at ChikaLicious, we went at 4PM and had our dessert before dinner.  The real benefit of going so early was being able to snag the prime seats at the bar so we could watch all of the meticulous preparation that was involved in creating our desserts.  


The format at ChikaLicious is a prix fixe that consists of an Amuse Bouche, a choice of dessert, and Petits Fours.  There is also a supplementary wine pairing if you want.


For the Amuse, we got something different than what the other patrons received since I think Chika Tillman, Chef/Owner of Chikalicious and pictured above, heard that I was hesitant trying sweet potatoes in a dessert.  She was prepping some sweet potatoes when I made the comment  This comment was made rather softly, but I guess she must have very good hearing. So if I offended, I apologize.  We were offered a jasmine tea sorbet while everyone else got a sweet potato sorbet on some sort of cookie.  


For our dessert choices, my friends ordered the Hot Apple Soup with Caramel ice cream and Sweet Potato Creme Brulee, while I ordered the Fromage Blanc Island "Cheese Cake" (see below).  Everyone loved their desserts and I especially liked mine.  It was a mousse made of cheese that was incredibly light and yet still had the same flavor satisfaction you get from a very rich cheesecake.  Served with some cream on a bed of shaved ice.  If you go, I definitely recommend that someone in your party order it.



Photo Source: http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/chikalicious/


For the petit fours, we received toasted coconut marshmallows, a chocolate cookie, and another choice which I don't remember.  Obviously the one I can't remember was my least favorite (but still good nonetheless).  The cookie was just the right amount of chocolate (not too dark and not too sweet).  The marshmallows were like clouds.  Any more of them would have been dangerous.


Will I go again?  Definitely.  And make sure to sit at the bar.