The newest addition to the niche restaurant scene is the dessert bar. Room 4 Dessert (New York), Espai Sucre (Barcelona) and our most recent spotting, ChikaLicious, limit their menus to creative concoctions that satisfy even the most ardent sweet tooth.
A tiny 20-seat eatery in New York, founded by husband and wife team Don and Chika Tillman, ChikaLicious offers a 3-course menu for USD 12, consisting of a sweet amuse, the customer's choice of main course dessert, and petit fours to top it off. The menu features dishes such as Honey Parfait in Blackberry Soup with Tarragon and Lace Crisp, and the signature Fromage Blanc Island Cheese Cake (described as 'heaven on a plate' by a customer on the restaurant's TurnHere video).
The owners explain: "The idea behind an all dessert restaurant was something that we'd been thinking of for quite a while. Here in New York City, if you want a really fine dessert that's taken seriously, you have to go to one of those fine restaurants. We wanted to create a place that would allow you to go have noodles across the street and then come here for a very nominal price to have a wonderfully treated dessert."
A fun idea that lets adults live out their childhood fantasy of skipping dinner and going straight to dessert. The dessert bar is also a welcome addition to regular restaurants that work with tight seating schedules and rush customers from appetizers to cheque. Less need to hurry through dessert if it can be enjoyed at leisure elsewhere. A delicious opportunity if there every was one!
Website: http://www.chikalicious.com
Contact: info@chikalicious.com
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Dairy Queen --- upscale?
While dessert only isn't new (Marble Slab, Cold Stone, Cheesecake Factory, etc)... The truly upscale niche in NYC may be something new.
I'll be honest... for a birthday once I asked my wife to get the chocolate cake from this one local italian place (BEST ever)... so, maybe something that had desserts like that would work.
Graydon
Marlin Creek - Idea Seeds
http://marlincreek.com
There was a place in Nolita, NYC called Rice to Riches a couple years ago which only served different flavors of rice pudding.
The owner was later busted for racketeering.
In Toronto, we have had a chain called Just Deserts for over 20 years. It has been pushed out of business by upscale cafes and bad publicity from a murder known as the "Just Deserts Shooting".
Another similar concept with over 10 years:
http://www.deathbychocolate.ca
Thanks to all of you for the feedback! There are some great examples out there :)
I agree. Definitely not a new idea.
One of my favorite places in Austin, Tx is La Dolce Vita. Yum. It is a great place in Hyde Park. Next to the Hyde Park Cafe, and Across from Mother's Cafe, down from Asti (good pizza.) It is an Upscale, typical and Austin Find. You will feel comfortable in anything and feel special. Their Gelato is the best.
In NYC, I found many desert only places in the villages and little italy.
Also, in Boston in the North End. I would go there only for Cannolis or fresh Gelato. All over Boston are Ice Cream creations.
I'd be happy to see more desert only restaurants pop up. How about a healthy dessert place. Delicious, satisfying, and good for you. Maybe a South Beach Desert Niche?
hehe desert=dessert
stressed spelled backwards.
I live in Amsterdam,Holland, and we don't have a place like that but i think the dutch people would like it, because we always eat deserts after dinner do you also have vla or is it a tipicel dutch desert.
i love desserts specialy choclate desserts
love from amsteram simonette
I live in the midwest(west of Chicago) and have been wanting to open this sort of establishment in our city for a couple of years now. We have a re-birth in the downtown and I think it would be the perfect addition!! All of the comments I read were helpful - thanks!!
Certainly not new. But still very interesting. If the approach is done right. I would go for smller portions, so there is a chance to taste several desserts. Great for a date, birthday, after a movie etc. Look for more information about the hospitality and leisure industry on: mbouricius.wordpress.com
My husband and I are looking to start a business and all these comments are helpful. I know it is not a new idea, but would anyone be interested in the Portland, Oregon area? we were thinking too many healthy people around here and taking the idea somewhere appreciated. Send me info please: mamalexi06@yahoo.com
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA AND I SEE A DESSERT ONLY RESTAURANT IS THE BEST RESEARCH PAPER BECAUSE I SEE THAT MANY PEOPLE CAN GIVE A DEBATE ABOUT IT AND THIS IDEA FOR MY CLASS IS ORIGINAL. WOULDN'T U LIKE TO SEE AN ALL DESSERT RESTAURANT ALL OVER THE WORLD. GIVE FEED BACK KYSHA20@AOL.COM THANK U ALL
Check out Encore which is a great Wine and Dessert Bar in the midwest in Columbia Missouri. It is a very popular place with incredible plated desserts. www.encorewineanddessertbar.com
This is very funny because for the longest time I thought that a dessert-only restuarant was MY idea, now I know it isn't :-(. But I'm definately planning on opening one in South Africa. It'll be the 1st of its kind here (I hope)
Wish me luck!
A great business idea
Hi,
My girlfriend is BiG fan of desserts. Its her birthday in a weeks time and would really like to take her to an 'all-dessert' restaurant or place to eat.
Only problem is that wek live in England.
Does anybody know if there are any dessert only places over here?
Look forward to your feedback.
Nothing new there ! this is what we call a "Salon de thé" in France since 1800 !
christophe | June 30, 2006 11:51 AM