538406 Sun Jul 13 19:01:57 -0700 2008 42 5 Texas 0 3865690 My dad and I are big fans of desserts, and I'm curious to hear what other foodies have to say about the best desserts in Dallas (and the country for that matter). So far, my dad and I have reached the consensus that the best desserts are at the Palm. Their cheesecake is great, their chocolate cake is amazing, and their carrot cake is heaven. I consider their chocolate cake and carrot cake to be perfection. It does help that the desserts are huge (and $15 each). Besides that, if I am craving some dessert and don't want to gorge on Palm desserts, I usually go to Eatzi's, Dallas City Market, or sad as it is to say, Cheesecake Factory. I've tried places like the Grape (way too small and not tasty) as well as Stephen Pyle's Heaven and Hell cake... I guess you have to love peanut butter to appreciate it. I went to Hibiscus once and liked their chocolate cake as well as its size, but I think the Palm wins hands down. So where do you guys go? I am pretty conservative when it comes to desserts, but I'd still like to know your favorite dessert know matter how eccentric it is. Also, I think that Whole Foods "Death by Chocolate Brownie" is very good, and Del Frisco's has some good stuff too. Thanks. Sun Jul 13 19:01:59 -0700 2008 209535 rep123max 1 3865978 Natsumi's frozen yogurt and gelato is hard to top. I haven't had a single flavor there that I don't like. This is the first place that always comes to mind when I'm feeling like a dessert. The black forest cake at Henk's Black Forest bakery/deli is pretty amazing stuff. The bakery has a huge assortment of good pastries to choose from as well. Craving cookies? I suggest Pokey O's and Doughmonkey, either one is an excellent choice. Sun Jul 13 20:57:38 -0700 2008 3865690 38366 air 1 3866473 I would highly recommend Doughmonkey for a dessert. All of their pastries are great. http://www.doughmonkey.com/ If you can get there in the mornings before they sell out I would try a muffin at Yummy Donuts on Lovers on the east side of the tollway (Across from the Firestone). The husband and wife team make an excellent muffin that is not overly sweet and is packed with blueberrys. They also have very interesting designer donuts (think cookies and cream with Oreos on top). No Website. For a somewhat healthy dessert (I am sure they have it elsewhere also) but a dish of the fresh silken tofu with a simple syrup at Sichuanese was very good on a recent visit. http://sichuaneserestaurant.com/default.aspx Also good to great are the desserts at La Me. While not on your typical rotation of sweets (i.e cheesecake or chocolate dessert) the Vietnamese can make great desserts that you would never think go together. I believe they have about 5-6 desserts everyday with about two more in the fridge. http://www.la-me.net/ A substitute for a dessert could be Cassis in Plano for a specialty drink or a frozen drink. That is if you are up in that area. I don't like peanut butter that much but the peanut slush is just right. http://www.cassisexotic.com/ Candidate for the worst slice of cake ever was at Henk's Black Forest Cafe the Swiss Madrissa cake. Dry tasteless cake, bland icing and canned fruit topping made for a bad experience. Mon Jul 14 06:23:16 -0700 2008 3865690 170567 LewisvilleHounder 1 3867386 Doughmonkey, as others have said, has great desserts. If you want restaurant desserts, then I think the best is the moon pie at Papas Bros. Honorable mention goes to Strong's EveryDay Tavern for their coconut pie. Mon Jul 14 10:52:38 -0700 2008 3865690 184983 8 2 Much 2 3867476 I think Fireside Pies has the best cheesecake--blackberries mixed in with berry sauce on the side... Mon Jul 14 11:12:30 -0700 2008 3867386 132294 Nita01 2 3895741 Second that, went to Strong's this past weekend, sat outside, i know it was blazing.. but the courtyard was very nice, can't say enough of the service he was really awesome, brought extra glasses of ice for our drinks several times, burgers were great, meat loaf, not too exciting, but the coconut pie was really great, and i don't even like coconut. Wed Jul 23 17:15:41 -0700 2008 3867386 184915 lizlemon 1 3867667 La Duni. Their Quatros Leches (or is it Tres?) cake is almost perfect. The only problem is it is so rich that it sends me into a sugar coma. Mon Jul 14 12:04:16 -0700 2008 3865690 69838 Epicurious Esquire 2 3868502 perry's for brown bag apple pie and chocolate cake--get both and enjoy. nobu for mochi, and pear tobanyaki, as well as almost all the desserts. jaspers for the trio of desserts Mon Jul 14 16:15:30 -0700 2008 3867667 17840 ssh 3 3868814 Here is a starting point: http://www.dmagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=test&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=7155F7796F354F21B1183937D847D6DF&tier=4&id=D2B535200A464037BF8543E74CD93DAF Mon Jul 14 18:18:08 -0700 2008 3868502 124638 foodie06 1 3868844 I'll second the La Duni Quatros Leches Cake....RICH! Also, the Tres Leches Cake at Zaguan Bakery is killer and a whole one to take to work when it's your turn for the Birthday cake is a real crowd pleaser as is Eatzi's Sour Cream Chocolate Cake. I haven't tried the coconut cream pie at Strong's yet (I like that place alot), but the Capital Grille version is top notch. Mon Jul 14 18:28:14 -0700 2008 3865690 159391 BluffViewChound 1 3869251 I've said this before, but i really like the s'mores from Tillman's. They can be messy, but i have loved making this dessert at home since i was really young, and Tillman's puts a little upscale twist on it. Mon Jul 14 21:51:42 -0700 2008 3865690 157030 iluvtennis 2 3883406 Oh man those S'mores at Tillman's are G O O D !! Mouth watering! Sat Jul 19 10:33:18 -0700 2008 3869251 162005 pizzaQTpie 1 3874089 Does anybody know anything about Tart Bakery on Lovers? Also, is Doughmonkey still open for retail sale? I read that they only do wholesale stuff now. Wed Jul 16 11:09:25 -0700 2008 3865690 209535 rep123max 2 3874494 Doughmonkey has returned for retail sale!! Have not been to Tart Bakery, with Doughmonkey that close why would I go??? Wed Jul 16 12:48:33 -0700 2008 3874089 170567 LewisvilleHounder 3 3874757 Glad to hear that about Doughmonkey. I was getting worried that I wouldn't be able to taste it. Anybody know if it is open on Sundays? Wed Jul 16 13:44:20 -0700 2008 3874494 209535 rep123max 4 3875033 it's not open Sundays, and only open until a little after 5 on Saturdays. Wed Jul 16 15:01:56 -0700 2008 3874757 71935 luniz 5 3887289 Just went there this Saturday and as always incredible. They had samples of their Valrhona pound cake as well as the new chocolate truffle line they just started. Expensive but I just had to by a 15 piece box. Every chocolate lover needs to head there as soon as they can. I feel no one in the DFW area treats it with as much respect as Doughmonkey. Simply brilliant stuff. Mon Jul 21 07:19:57 -0700 2008 3875033 203317 mike1823 6 3887989 So I went to Doughmonkey. I must have made a bad call because I got their pineapple carrot cake. It was good, but not great. I was disappointed because when I called they said they had some special chocolate brownies but I didn't see them when I was there. I guess they rotate every once in a while. I'll go back to try pure chocolate cake. Mon Jul 21 10:48:26 -0700 2008 3887289 209535 rep123max 7 3888325 their chocolate and cookie stuff is what's best. the fruity type stuff is all good, but none of it has really wowed me yet. well their marshmallows are good too, haven't tried the peanut brittle. Mon Jul 21 12:12:36 -0700 2008 3887989 71935 luniz 8 3889012 I more or less agree - this weekend I bought (among other things) a small cherry pie, topped with some almond crumb. It was extremely well done - not too sweet, no gloppy sauce, tender crust and a nice crunch on top with the almonds. It tasted like plump, cooked cherries - which is as much as you can (or should, in my opinion) ask of a fruit pie. It was not a life-altering experience, but I can't imagine a better execution. And I really admire and enjoy their general trend (with chocolate desserts too) to not over-sweeten. They had some baklava too - it looked really good, but I had already exceeded my limit. luniz (or anyone else) - any chance you've tried it? Does it even approach your standard? Mon Jul 21 15:19:04 -0700 2008 3888325 57051 gavlist 9 3889193 I had some, thinking of luniz the whole time. The nut paste tasted as if it also contained some raisins, dates, or figs. Some sort of dried fruit like that. It wasn't syrupy in the least bit, though it is made with honey. It's very buttery, yet not one phyllo layer seemed soggy. I prefer it to afrah because the flavor was kicked up some with honey, spice and fruitiness, but i can certainly see some preferring afrah's. Mon Jul 21 16:17:57 -0700 2008 3889012 84570 kindofabigdeal 10 3889922 ooo i haven't tried it. i tried fadi's at taste of dallas, it was pretty good for fair food (but not my favorite style). i hope it was dates instead of raisins...raisins in baklava sounds pretty yucky to me. they probably used good butter to get it to taste buttery. syrupy-ness is due to not cooking the syrup long enough (or pouring it on before you bake it, like the first time i made it!). so that is an easy thing if you can remember/practice it...it's still hard for me yet. Mon Jul 21 20:45:53 -0700 2008 3889193 71935 luniz 8 3892459 I have tried the peanut brittles several times. I am not sure who is doing the spicing but for instance the Chipotle peanut brittle needs more Chipotle. Same hold true with the other spiced peanut brittles. I enjoy really tasting a spice (especially sweet and spicy-chile in this case) not just having it in the background. They are good but not wowing. Marshmallows on the other hand are very good, light and airy, and spiced with exotic ingredients (tasmanian honey, candied ginger, fennel pollen, etc). Would highly recommend the marshmallows. Tue Jul 22 16:12:35 -0700 2008 3888325 170567 LewisvilleHounder 9 3892745 I agree - I tried their mole bark, which I thought could be interesting but was too under-spiced to pull off the effect. I felt the same about their "salt & pepper" chocolates. Not enough Szechuan peppercorn to really notice. Tue Jul 22 18:07:02 -0700 2008 3892459 57051 gavlist 10 3907521 this weekend, I tried DoughMonkey's chocolate bark with chinese five-spice. They dosed it perfectly - the five-spice flavors are distinct and noticeable, but don't overwhelm the chocolate at all. The combination (I'm not sure which chocolate they used) is really delicious and addictive - it's also sprinkled with small cubes of candied ginger. I strongly recommend it. Mon Jul 28 07:46:03 -0700 2008 3892745 57051 gavlist 2 3875171 I had a petit four from tart that wasn't great. BUT, that's just a very small sampling. Wed Jul 16 15:45:49 -0700 2008 3874089 84570 kindofabigdeal 2 3976429 Have tried both Tart locations (Lovers and Legacy) and have been disappointed both times. I always try a wide sampling (lemon bar, brownie, 3 flavors of cupcakes, and a petit four). All were extremely dry and tasted like they'd been sitting out for awhile. The only positive was the sweet cream frosting on the cupakes. Thu Aug 21 15:30:11 -0700 2008 3874089 220349 wells524 1 3876860 La Duni , IMO, makes the very best cakes in Dallas, and for that matter anywhere, as I travel throughout the country, I still stand by their cakes...Now for pie, if you like Key Lime, you cannot beat the version at Houstons, though you must have it while the "season" is here, after that they do not offer it...Cookies...very picky, and still have not found any here that blow me away, except for my own homebaked version... Thu Jul 17 08:12:28 -0700 2008 3865690 71851 jinet12 1 3878370 Parigi on Oaklawn has a cobbler that is amazing! Alamode is the way to go. Pecan pie at Pappas...yummy. The homemade cakes at East Wind are a nice twist after great sushi. Best banana creme pie...Lawry's! I love desserts. My daughter and I treat ourselves by ordering dessert first! Thu Jul 17 14:38:47 -0700 2008 3865690 210736 bond007 2 3884046 Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings..."Life is uncertain...Eat dessert first" Sat Jul 19 16:39:25 -0700 2008 3878370 71851 jinet12 1 3896309 Right now, this is my fave dessert at Tillman's: PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE SANDWICH with banana ice cream, chocolate icing and chocolate sauce I like the s'mores too, but the peanut butter cookie dessert is killer. Wed Jul 23 21:23:34 -0700 2008 3865690 108931 pepper131 1 3908356 I rarely like plain old chocolate cake, but Trulucks has a great one. I am also mildly obsessed with their chocolate bag dessert. It's a chocolate mold in the shape of a bag and inside is a giant piece of poundcake, fresh berries, and whipped cream. After serving it, they chop it all up in front of you. Yum. Mon Jul 28 11:22:41 -0700 2008 3865690 66504 sass 2 3915117 That chocolate bag dessert originated at a restaurant that is no longer with us, but very much loved in the 80's by the name of "Gershwins".... Wed Jul 30 09:52:50 -0700 2008 3908356 71851 jinet12 3 5132959 Actually it originated with the company that still makes and sells the chocolate bags, tulips, swans, high heels, and many other shapes, wholesale to restaurants, hotels, bakeries, etc. Mon Oct 26 16:43:23 -0700 2009 3915117 1118952 ilove2eat 1 3908554 I agree with the folks who have said La Duni's Leches Cake and Tillman's smores. I would add the Nutella crepe at Normandie Alliance and the molten chocolate dessert at Fireside Pies. Mon Jul 28 12:12:41 -0700 2008 3865690 188010 taldeac 1 3925012 Haven't had too many desserts in the area, but here are my favorites so far: Cheesecake: Fireside Pies Chocolate Cake: Palm Carrot Cake: Trululcks Pizookie (fresh baked wht choc macademia nut cookie w/vanilla ice cream on top): BJ's Brewery Nutella Cake: La Duni Can't wait to try Tillman's and Doughmonkeys! Sat Aug 02 15:09:41 -0700 2008 3865690 214836 DFWFOODIE 1 3976453 My favorite bakery in all of Dallas is Breadwinners. Their cupcakes are always moist and are topped with a sweet creamy icing - best of all they're only $1.75. The red velvet cake is to die for. Really, you can't go wrong with any of their desserts, and I love that they have such a wide assortment. Another great bakery is Society Bakery. They have great cupcakes as well but are quite pricey. Ounce has a decent chocolate cake and some really good ice cream sandwiches. I also still love the chocolate cake at Hibiscus. Chocolate heaven... Another awesome dessert is the bread pudding at III Forks. Thu Aug 21 15:37:47 -0700 2008 3865690 220349 wells524 2 4583755 re: " Parigi on Oaklawn has a cobbler that is amazing!" if you try this one, ask them not to microwave it to death, I tried it last night and it was like mush........... I should have returned it but did not bother. Fri Apr 10 04:51:19 -0700 2009 3976453 166648 superbossmom 1 4590304 I guess once you find the Holy Grail of desserts, there is no turning back. In all honesty, I can't get over Doughmonkey's. I think Dallas foodies will be talking about this beloved bakery for years to come. La Duni's desserts are saccharine sweet. Parigi just has that chocolate molten cake with baked peaches. It's okay, but it's still just another riff on a chocolate molten cake. Central Market, Eatzi's, and Whole Food's desserts (with the exception of the To Die For Chocolate brownie) are woefully bad. Society Bakery is pretty good, but Doughmonkey's was as good as any bakery in the country. The desserts at Doughmonkey's were incredible. All other places in Dallas pale in comparison. Sprinkles is a joke. Such a shame because if Dallas wants a true foodie scene, a great artisanal bakery like Doughmonkey's is essential. Sun Apr 12 19:35:05 -0700 2009 3865690 110766 jindomommy 2 4604554 had doughmonkey closed? their website says they are no longer open and the number i found on google (2148601300) says its no longer in service. Fri Apr 17 10:26:57 -0700 2009 4590304 61490 pgwiz1 3 4604762 yea they closed last year :( I think Rhonda is working as a pastry chef somewhere in Rockwall or doing uhh catering or whatever you'd call it...I think she's still around in the metroplex. I wish I could buy more of her chocolates *sad* Fri Apr 17 11:25:06 -0700 2009 4604554 71935 luniz 4 4609655 i totally agree... i had such a bad craving for DM choc chip cookies the other day.. i wanted to call her up and have her mail me some dough in the mail.... if that was an ooption... pls... if DM people are reading this.. there is a need!! Sun Apr 19 16:18:42 -0700 2009 4604762 184915 lizlemon 1 5139678 i like the cupcakes at Sprinkles (the carrot is amaaazing, has cinnamon cream cheese frosting) and Society Bakery... Sprinkles are more rich and "gourmet", Society is more like the best possible version of cupcakes that remind you of your childhood... nice and fluffy with a big creamy mountain of icing. as far as desserts go, i love Local... all their desserts are made in-house and they change the menu weekly. Recently had an amazing pumpkin custard topped with cinnamon-sugar whipped cream... yum. They also have a chocolate composed that is always on the menu, with a mini chocolate souffle, tiny chocolate malt shot, and rich brownie cookies... decadent. Thu Oct 29 06:11:13 -0700 2009 3865690 245908 whitknee