pf chang’s chocolate dome cake

for a pms-ridden, chocoholic, it really does not get much better than this. for those of you who do not know, pf chang’s offers this scrumptious gluten-free menu (http://www.pfchangs.com/cuisine/menu/GlutenIntolerantMenu.pdf), ranging from lettuce wraps, to flourless chocolate cake. but, for the point of this entry, i will focus on only the cake… because really when you get down to it, is there really anything else that is more conversation worthy than chocolate. not for me.

i love food, but i have been having a craving for this chocolate dome for days. and it is not often that we drive ANYWHERE, especially to a restaurant. so, for us to venture to the “burbs”, this case in edgwater, nj, i need to make an occasion of it. we went out to dinner with michael’s parents, so we figured we’d venture out of the crowds of the city and into a place that has parking and space, what a concept. by the time we got to the restaurant, an exceptionally large building, decorated with oversized statues and cooled by an over-active air conditioner, all i could think about was this cake. “no, i don’t really want dinner”, i explained. “i’d like the chocolate dome.” what a God send really.

i have tried flourless chocolate cakes and torts in many different cities, varied restaurants and bakeries, even store bought and frozen (not bad by the way). but, i would have to say pf chang’s, yes, the chain restaurant, has one of the best around. i say that with all sincerity. and the sad looking iphone photos just do not do it justice. it is served in a dome shape (obvious) almost like a scoop of chocolate ice cream. it is dense and smooth in the center, filled with decadent and rich chocolate cake. the entire dome is frosted in a thick chocolate fudge-type frosting that somehow blends with each bite. they drizzle the chocolate dome with fresh strawberry and raspberry sauce and garnish it with the same fresh fruit. it is the perfect blend of sweet and tart. as i write, i salivate. it is that good. Mmmm…chocolate.

www.pfchangs.com