Awfully Chocolate décor --— JP/Triwik Kurniasari

Famous for its chocolate cakes, Awfully Chocolate now lures chocoholics with a wide array of delectable indulgences.

“My momma always said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get,’” is the iconic quote from Forrest Gump. But at Awfully Chocolate, you certainly know what you are getting.

Jakarta’s chocoholics are already familiar with Awfully Chocolate, the Singapore-based chocolatier whose basic concept is selling whole cakes in three flavors – all chocolate, chocolate banana and chocolate rum and cherry.

The first Awfully Chocolate opened in a modest building on Joo Chiat Road in Singapore in 1998. It became famous for its original “all chocolate” cake, a simple dark chocolate cake with layers of dark chocolate fudge.

To Jakartan chocolate lovers’ delight, the store on Jl. Senopati, South Jakarta, is finally expanding its products.

The small outlet has become a spacious cafe, still decorated in the Awfully Chocolate signature style – minimalist décor, dominated by white, black and beige – and can seat 25 people.

The open kitchen showcases the artists at work.

The super stacked chocolate cake is the must-try offering. It is a heavier version of the “all chocolate”, and features thicker, richer cake. Awfully Chocolate uses different kinds of chocolate for the six inner and outer fudge layers.

Hint: This one is for serious chocolate lovers. If you want to taste it, an attendant will cut the cake on the spot according to any slice request.

Single portions come in 50 to 100 gram sizes, and are priced by weight. If this cake is not what drew you to Awfully Chocolate in the first place, you’d better ask for a 50-gram portion. It goes best with a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream, contrasting the warmth of the cake with the cold ice cream.

Those seeking lighter fare should try the white chocolate butterscotch block, which contains a dark chocolate Swiss roll encased in white chocolate cream and covered in a handmade butterscotch sauce.

Visions of the sweet, milky white chocolate filled my head when I saw the cake.

It took me by surprise, as the white chocolate cake was wonderfully light and not overly sweet, and its salty-sweet flavor will not leave you feeling disgusted with yourself afterwards.

There is also cold poached chocolate, a soft dark chocolate served with a choice of handmade creams such as butterscotch, kahlua and mint. However, it is best to eat it there, as the trip home might ruin the cream.

If you need something to take home, the rich chocolate cupcake – covered in chocolate icing with a chunk of dark chocolate fudge inside – or the white chocolate cupcake, a dark chocolate cake topped with frosted white chocolate milk.

Dark chocolate truffles, roughly cut and dusted with cocoa powder, make nice gifts. The truffles are best at room temperature and have a mouth-melting effect.

Another item not to miss is of course Awfully Chocolate’s signature treat: hei ice cream, a taste-teasing dense dark chocolate ice cream that lingers after each mouthful, served in a white box.

For those on diet, a single scoop of hei ice cream makes for a yummy pleasure, as it does not contain milk.

For drinks, chocoholics can never pass up a cup of hot chocolate – also made from dark chocolate – while those who need something fresh to balance the sweet should try the iced mandarin orange tea.

So, how much of a chocoholic are you?

- Photos By Triwik Kurniasari

Awfully chocolate
Jl. Senopati 41C, South Jakarta
Phone : +62-21-5731457

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