MoRoCo Chocolat: Valentine's Day Menu Preview

MoRoCo Chocolat is a beautifully appointed restaurant and chocolate boutique that is inspired by the whimsical patisseries of Paris. I was invited to preview a tasting of the Valentine's Day menu and was most impressed by the delicious variety of dishes that I sampled. 

As you enter the boutique, chocolate of every type imaginable is displayed along the walls, while a colourful melange of macarons is set up at the front. I was greeted by a friendly server who offered me a tiramisu martini. This sinful libation is like dessert in a glass and with the shot of espresso, it will keep you wired all night long! 

The amuse bouche of smoked eggplant resting on a crisp beet chip was a prelude of great things yet to come. The appetizer consisting of fried pork belly with Asian peanut slaw was tangy, crunchy and bursting with sweet and savoury flavours all at once. Seafood lovers will adore the beautifully plated pan seared scallops served with almond pea puree and pickled with watermelon radish and beet foam.

For the main course, I enjoyed the hearty and filling pork braised short ribs accompanied with root vegetable caponata. Moist and tender, the short ribs were enhanced with horseradish snow, a spicy and creamy counterpoint. 

Another option is the maple glazed black cod with Jerusalem artichokes, charred fennel and mushroom salad. Garnering high praise among my fellow diners was the beet ravioli served with creme fraiche and fennel. The filling of sweet beets are complemented nicely with the taste of fragrant and bold fennel. 

No meal is complete without dessert and we were spoiled with not one, but two different desserts! The dulce de leche mousse is rich and with strawberry ice cream and vanilla and pistachio trifle. It is saccharinely sweet and creamy. The simply titled chocolate bar does not do justice to the fancy, inventive dessert that has been concocted for your pleasure. Milk chocolate snow, raspberry fluff and black crowberries meld perfectly to create the most decadently satisfying 'chocolate bar' dessert.   

Prior to dining, I had the chance to prepare some macarons with some help from the restaurant's pastry chef. I loved the hands-on experience of piping ganache onto the meringue shells. My pistachio-raspberry creations were delicate and divine and I even got to take them home to share and enjoy. 

While you may not be taking your sweetheart to the city of lights this Valentine's Day, bring the romance and culinary inspirations of Paris to your love by dining at MoRoCo Chocolat!

To book a reservation, visit morocochocolat.com.