There are few things in life of which I am genuinely scared. (My mother sometimes falls into that category, but I digress.) Another one of those things which causes my heart to pound a little faster and my brow to break into a light sweat is The Deal Closer.
For those of you who have never been to The Standard Grill, you won't understand. But for those of you that have, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Our master pastry chef, Frederick Aquino, has been doling out these sinfully outrageous desserts since we first opened in June of 2009, and people can't stop coming back for them.
Aquino starts by hand making a luscious chocolate mousse with an American chocolate by TCHO. The mousse is folded with meringue which makes it as light as air, and then he adds whipped cream which makes it almost illegal.
The first layer of chocolate is laid into a mixing bowl, then Aquino adds a layer of moist devil's food cake into the middle and covers that with another layer of mousse. A light sprinkle of flaky sea salt then adds an element of surprise and tempers the sweetness and accentuates the rich flavor of the chocolate. A bountiful mound of lightly sweetened whipped cream tops the mouse and is then finished off with shavings of bittersweet chocolate.
Are you licking your screens yet?!?!
It's served with two Le Creuset spatulas because a spoon just doesn't get enough in your mouth fast enough. Trust me. I've tried.
The Standard Grill is located at 848 Washington Street, New York City. For reservations, please call 212-645-4100.
xoxo
Stan
