Ecstasy, the dessert boutique of surprises

After a blah business lunch at one of the many rooftop restaurants at UB City, I cried off dessert. No mean feat, I assure you, given my sweet tooth, but I seriously couldn’t bear the thought of yet another mediocre mousse. Fate, however, works in mysterious ways. For what should I see as I was walking away, but Ecstasy, the dessert boutique.

At first glance I could tell Ecstasy is a concept store that thrives on being different. There’s none of the boring Black Forests and lame Lemon Tarts: I found Cheesecake Vanille (baked cheesecake with Philadelphia cheese and fresh vanilla pods), Earl Grey Tea Opera (almond biscuit, chocolate ganache, Earl Grey butter cream, glazed with dark chocolate) and Cherrany (pistachio biscuit, cherry fruit paste and aniseed mousseline).

And that was just the display section. Ecstasy also does classic plated dishes, like creme brulee au chocolat guanaja and poached figs in mulled wine. As I bit into the off-the-shelf Maloni (whole melon and honey mousseline on flaky biscuit) and felt the flavours ooze onto my tongue, I learnt that each ingredient was meticulously handpicked from around the world. And I had to try the Half-Cooked Jivara Cake, with its molten chocolate centre. Mmmmm, heaven. Much of the credit, I was told, goes to French chef Mickael Besse, who runs the show here.

Ecstasy also stocks a good selection of home-made ice-creams in flavours as exciting as cheesecake, lemon, balsamico and apricot, as well as a whole range of milk shakes, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

Just as I was walking away, having made up my mind to return, who should I see walking in, but my lunch companions. As we laughed together, it occurred to me: there’s nothing like ending a meeting on a sweet note,

Ecstasy, the Dessert Boutique. 2nd Floor, The Collection, UB City, Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore. Tel: 41759191. Prices: Upwards of Rs100 for a serving.