These aren’t your mom’s chocolate-chip cookies. Big-city restaurants are going to extremes to dazzle their customers with delectable, unique and innovative dessert experiences. When dessert items ranging from deep fried pop tarts to edible potted plants exist, it’s hard to imagine what couldn’t be turned into dessert. From coast to coast, those with an adventurous sweet tooth can find their fix.
1. Beer Belly Los Angeles
With items like “Catfish and Chips,” “Deep-fried Oreos” and “Bacon Fat Fries,” a quick glance at the menu leaves the customer feeling like they’ve just entered the Texas State Fair, but you won’t find any horses or Ferris wheels here. My top pick: the Deep Fried Pop Tart.
Served delicately beside whipped cream. No food-on-a-stick here.
2. Morgan St. Theater Portland
Specializing in theatrically inspired desserts, Morgan St. Theater is committed to pushing ice-cream beyond its limits. “The theater unfolds as playful dessert concepts are presented with live entertainment, from storytelling to puppetry, theatre to dance, and music. An evening of 'dessert theatre' includes a three-course tasting menu of thoughtfully composed frozen desserts, paired with live performance.”
What’s next on the menu? Dr. Seuss-inspired desserts.
3. Alinea Chicago
"Alinea is not a restaurant...at least not in the conventional sense." Master Chef Grant Achatz prides himself on reinventing the restaurant experience through his atmosphere and cuisine. Most recently, Alinea has gained attention for its latest innovative creation: the edible helium balloon. Filled with green-apple flavored helium and tied off with a dehydrated apple string, the creation of this wacky-yet-elegant dessert is something you simply must watch.
How's that for a light dessert?
4. Cool Mess NYC
On the more family-friendly side of things, Cool Mess offers an incredible experience for all who come to play. Here, you not only get to eat your ice cream, but you get to make it too. With all of their flavors and toppings, the possibilities are endless!
How much freedom is too much freedom? The limit does not exist.
5. Spot Dessert Bar NYC
Disclaimer: not all potted plants are food, but this one is! Since 2013, Spot Dessert Bar has been serving up the most delectable "plant" you'll ever set your eyes and fork upon. Made with Oreo crumbles, cheese cake, raspberry sorbet and a sprig of mint, Harvest, is not a dessert you'll want to miss. But you don't have to fly to NYC to get a bite of this: copycat recipes have popped up everywhere.
So, does this count as a salad?
