Taste FOOD FILES
TRICKY TREATS 10 sweets that will surely surprise
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
Arrogant Butcher
The Treat: Warm Peanut Butter Cup, $7 The Trick: Here’s a melty, gooey Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – with a twist! This sinfully tricky treat starts with a rich peanut butter mousse and is topped with a scoop of homemade chocolate ice cream in the center, giving the effect of an actual Reese’s cup, with the appearance of being inside out. A bonus: The chef makes his own peanut butter cookies to go with each “cup,” so the dessert also acts like a sweet dip for the cookies. 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix; 602.324.8502; www.foxrc.com.
Barrio Café
The Treat: Churros Rellenos de Cajeta de Cabra, $10 The Trick: Everyone loves churros – traditionally deep fried and portable. But these are a little different, in the best possible way. Rather than simply coating them with cinnamon and handing them to guests, Barrio fills them with cajeta – or caramelized goat milk – and tops them with two heaping scoops of vanilla ice cream and candied pecans. 2814 N. 16th St., Phoenix; 602.636.0240; www.barriocafe.com.
Camp Social
The Treat: S’mores, $10 The Trick: Sure, several Valley hot spots serve “elevated s’more” dishes, but not many give you the chance to fire them up yourself in a personal tableside cauldron. The marshmallows and graham crackers boast a little surprise as well – each are handcrafted daily by an on-site pastry chef. 6107 N. 7th St., Phoenix; 480.750.0506; www.campsocial.com.
Christopher’s & Crush Lounge
Camp Social
Do you miss going trick-or-treating now that you’re a grown-up? Well, miss it no more, as some local restaurants offer sweet treats, each with a deliciously tricky twist. Whether the tricks are played on the eyes, nose or taste buds, you can expect the unexpected when ordering dessert at the following 10 restaurants.
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Uptown October '17
The Treat: Chocolate Mousse Tower, $10 The Trick: The granddaddy of tricky desserts, this iconic tower of tastiness has been shocking and aweing guests for over a decade. This half-foot tall dessert, a literal tower of sweet and creamy goodness, not only defies gravity, but hides three different kinds of chocolate within. 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; 602.522.2344; www.christophersaz.com.
Gertrude’s
The Treat: Carrot Custard, $9 The Trick: It’s carrot cake – or is it? This deconstructed and playful twist on its more traditional cousin is a dessert tailor-made for fall, featuring chilled layers of homemade carrot custard, coconut creme and candied walnuts, each reminiscent of flavors found in carrot cake. But the chef also adds layers of waffle crisps for crunch and Thai tea gelée, which results in an added level of complexity and texture. At Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy., Phoenix; 480.719.8600; www.gertrudesrestaurant.net.