Antoinette

I cannot resist desserts and most of my girlfriends share the same adoration for all things sweet, which we consider as the perfect end to a meal. When we met up for dinner before K headed off to London, it seemed that Antoinette at Mandarin Gallery was an appropriate and befitting after-dinner thought. We are after all talking about a girl (and this extends to her sis, P) who totes sugar around in her bag for extra measures.

 The plush (and heavy) arm chairs and chi-chi, Victorian environment does create that cozy and intimate environment and was an obvious model after a certain established French patisserie. The late night crowd didn't quite deter us, but it meant that there were minimal number of pastries left for selection.

Tart Cafe Caramel was one of the more attractive choices left but it had a strong coffee taste, which slightly overpowered the Salted Caramel and affected the overall balance.

However that one dessert that blew us away was the Antoinette Earl Grey ice cream that was topped with raspberry jelly and covered with shavings of milk chocolate shards. It could do without the thick layer of whipped cream that blanketed the main star and had us confused initially when we didn't taste the anticipated flavour with the first swipe of the spoon. Dig deeper beneath it and you will be rewarded by the pleasant and distinctive Bergamot taste.

Antoinette brings about a slice of France to our sunny shores and offers that quick escape from the regime. As if to top up the authenticity of the French experience, you can expect surly and brusque treatment from the wait staff. Having said that, I am keen to while away an afternoon with some girlfriends at their original branch at Penhas Road and sample more.