Cafe Chokolade, Egmore, Chennai

Last week, when a friend and i were in Egmore, finishing up some errands, we were tired hungry and thirsty, and the 1st place that came into our horizon was Cafe Chokolade, and since we hadnt been here before, we walked in. 

I guess they were having their daily powercut, as the AC was off, and a fan was keeping the place cool.  Aside from 2 other guys, the place was abandoned. We sat ourselves in the sofa, and that is when i spotted the black plastic bag with JENGA. I promptly began stacking up the wooden blocks while my friend was glancing through the menu card. There was just way too much chocolate there, and lost for choice, we asked the man behind the counter to recommend something cool and refreshing.

When we asked him if they had hot chocolate or something similar, he replied in negative saying they had thick shakes. 

Ok... my next question was do you have something simple and light, he again replied in negative saying "no, you cant drink any of our shakes, you need to eat them". I was tempted to try one of the dry fruit shakes, but my thoughts were interrupted when

He went to ask - "Is this your first time here?" 

We replied in affirmative

He then continued saying "you should have the Chokolade B", its the best, made with chocolate, and topped with chocolate pieces, it is thick and really good. We have our own factory, where the chocolate and other bases are made he went on.....

Unsure, we went with his recommendation and ordered a Chokolade B... 

Within seconds, our token number flashed on the little window at the end of the hall, and i picked up our drink, that looked quite sinful. Alas, that was it... The chocolate shavings and pieces were just creamy, and so was the shake.. It was missing any kind of flavour... My friend and I dint have the heart to waste it, but couldnt finish the drink and walked out quite unsatisfied and disappointed.... 

I must confess- I am not a chocolate person, and even if someone wants to lure me with chocolate, they better be talking about Dark chocolate.  But i do know taste, and have had quite a few chocolate based desserts and drinks before....

Well, i shall not strike off this place completely, shall visit once more and then decide! 

Ambiance: 6/10

Food: 3/10

Service: Self Service

Overall: 3/10

Address:
Mr Vivek(Proprietor)
Ph: 044-42126461
Website:www.cafechokolade.com 
No 10/1a3,
Montieth Road,
Egmore,
Chennai - 600008
Directions: It is 2 doors from Cake walk, adj to Alsa Mall..

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Celery Soup

Grandparents are always up for something new and today it was Celery soup. Gramma had bought celery and leek few days ago, inspired by a recipe she saw on a TV cookery show. Alas, she dint remember the process and as always decided to abandon the project. 

And there stepped in yours truly. Especially if it is something simple and interesting. An aunt had told me the celery soup recipe few years ago [she had made it for her mom who was ailing with cancer..].. and so i kinda remembered the process. Off i went to the kitchen to attack the ingredients and see what the soup tasted like.

Gramma who had tasted the celery sticks commented "it tastes exactly like onions, quite strong" [she normally does not eat onions or garlic and so this was quite a surprise for me]... 

Ingredients:

1 celery bunch- chopped roughly [there is a kind of a skin, make sure to peel that off, else you'll be picking out fibres with every mouthful]

1 potato- raw, cut into thin cubes

Garlic - a pinch

Salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

Oil or Butter 

Milk [optional]

Water- enough to boil the potatoes

Process:

1. In a pan, add some butter or oil

2. Add the chopped celery, potato, onion and garlic. Let the onion sweat for a few minutes 
3.Add enough water to cover the potatoes and allow it to cook for a few mins [10mins max]

4. Allow it to cool once potatoes are boiled

5. Blend in a mixer till smooth

6. Pour in the pan, add some water and allow it to boil

7. Add salt & pepper [and milk if you like]

Voila.. Enjoy the hot soup!!  It tasted quite rich and divine, not too strong, not too bland.. I was quite surprised.. We all enjoyed it...

You can also refer to the recipe by Jamie Oliver [pretty much same]

[Sorry no photograph, the soup was gone before i could locate my camera, shall make it once more and be sure to click and share]

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