D.C. Dessert Roundup – Capital Confections Part 1: Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections (aka A.C.K.C.)
We didn’t see Michelle or Barack, but we did have delicious desserts. Read on…
A.C.K.C. is a total dessert cuterie (if you don’t know what a “cuterie” is, think of the chocolate shop in Chocolat). They’ve got everything: display cases filled with fancy chocolates & baked goods, tables overflowing with chocolate bars & gifts, friendly dessert-istas, cheerful autumnal decorations, and… naughty mosaics depicting frolicking males. A.C.K.C. is apparently the brainchild of a chocolatier, Rob Kingsbury, and an artist, Eric Nelson. The chocolate and the art are for sale– great concept!
The “Divas” are a menu highlight; they can come in the form of blended ice cream and toppings, crowned with whipped cream, and served in gorgeous margarita glasses ($4.25 each). We tried The Bette Davis: “milk chocolate infused with almond syrup, topped with toasted coconut flakes.” It was light and tasty, but nothing much to write home about. Next was the Marliyn Monroe: “a bold, white-chocolate base with a flip of crème de menthe finished with crumbled Oreo cookies.” What a frothy, refreshing, minty delight. And great texture from the cookie and white chocolate chunks. Last of the Divas was the Rita Hayworth: “semi-sweet chocolate infused with clove, orange and caramel, drizzled with caramel sauce.” This was the best of all. The flavors all zinged together, with the orange hitting you first, then the chocolate, then the clove, of which there were whole buds, which sent spicy shivers down my spine.
Even though we were bursting with our stomachs’ discoveries of their inner Divas, we thought we must try some of their hand-made chocolate. We picked the weirdest sounding one: “creamy brie with apricot dropped in toasted black sesame seeds.” Well, I never thought I’d live to see the day that I’d have brie and chocolate in one bite, but there it was– that cheesy funk with that bitter chocolate. I’m not sure how well the flavors married, and no one tasted the apricot, but it was worth it for the experience.
The last thing we tried was their smoked bacon chocolate bar: “rich milk chocolate couverture mixed with smoked Turkish paprika, dried apple, and caramelized bacon.” I couldn’t detect a hint of bacon or paprika at all (maybe they forgot to add them?), but the chocolate itself was smooth, wonderful, and rich, and the apple chunks were a nice little surprise.
This was a perfect start to our dessert adventures!
A.C.K.C. (DC location) 1529C 14TH Street NWWashington, DC 20005
202-387-COCO http://thecocoagallery.com/
Next stop: Good Stuff Eatery (post coming soon)
4 Comments to D.C. Dessert Roundup – Capital Confections Part 1: Artfully Chocolate Kingsbury Confections (aka A.C.K.C.)
I myself quite liked the brie/chocolate combo! I just had to give it my support…
MauraNovember 16, 2009
I kind of liked the brie, too. It was bizarre, but oddly tasty.
MattNovember 17, 2009
I will also speak up for the brie/chocolate combo. I thought the sesame seeds added an especially nice texture. I do wish you could taste more apricot. It would play off the creaminess of the cheese nicely.
You making me hungry now. Looks yummy and sweet.
November 16, 2009