There are constants in life, like the laws of physics and chocolate. And The Chocolate Bar has been a constant in Kuwait’s chocolate and food scene since 2004. It was a year of lowrise jeans, cowl necked sweaters and a lot of chocolate fondue with our friends. With new restaurants opening left, right and center, it has remained high on our list of favorite places and a source of amazing sugar-induced memories.
Despite the name, the restaurant serves more than just desserts and sweet concoctions. The newly introduced Snack Attack section in the menu is all about the quick bites that will satisfy your cravings and still leave room for a Hot Fudge Sundae, or two.
We love living on the edge of what is new and trending but we also appreciate the good things that have proven their worth over time. When we visited The Chocolate Bar, it was a cold grey winter morning, Hot Cocoa season. Which is exactly what we started with. The oversized piping hot mugs with the swirling melting chocolate were like Alice’s magical looking glass, a doorway into another world. A world of memories and futures.
Our 2004 selves were probably wearing cargo pants when they went to The Chocolate Bar, but now we are better dressed and have the foresight to start with a salad. The Quinoa Tabbouleh is generously loaded with healthy quinoa, pomegranates and a pomegranate molasses vinaigrette dressing that transforms a classic into something new and exciting, much like our transformations over time.
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Next, the Almost Pizza arrived. A cross between a quesadilla and a pizza, there’s a generous helping of cheese and pepperoni between two tortillas, topped with cheese, marinara sauce and a healthy sprinkling of oregano. The ratio of sauce to cheese is just right, even Goldilocks would be happy.
As we were fighting over the last slice of pizza, the Spicy Asian Chicken and the Crispy Chicken buns arrived. Even though they were both chicken sandwiches, they could not have been more different. The chicken in the Spicy Asian Bun is a beautifully chargrilled chicken breast perfectly cooked and tender.
The in-house secret Asian sauce coupled with the sriracha gives it a flavorful kick. Shredded carrots, avocados, parsley and lettuce bring it all together for a light, delicious sandwich.
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For fried chicken lovers, the Crispy Chicken is everything you never knew you really needed in your life. It tastes like comfort, home and your mother’s hugs after a long day. Both chicken sandwiches came in toasted potato buns that complimented each filling really well. With fries on the side, it is a really satisfying meal.
Our vegetarian friends don’t need to feel left out because the Halloumi Beetroot wrap arrived. Halloumi can be really intense and salty, but it turns out that when you add sweet soft beetroot and zaatar, it mellows down without losing its character. The rocket and beetroot salad on the side made us feel really grown-up about our healthy choices in life.
As we sat at the table reminiscing about the past and making plans for the future, the showstopper arrived. The Chocolate Alaska is a beautiful creation. Tall, majestic, torched Italian meringue covers a scoop of chocolate ice cream that sits on dark moist chocolate cake. And then it becomes even grander, when the salted caramel sauce is poured over it.
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It was the softest fluffiest meringue that showed great culinary mastery. The caramel had strong hints of butterscotch and clotted cream toffees. We couldn’t stop. It was an all-out spoon war and everyone emerged victorious in a haze of sweetness.
One of our favorite things about The Chocolate Bar is how it appeals to everyone. Whenever you walk in you will notice how diverse the clientele is. From families with chocolate-smeared-faced toddlers to older friends, bonding and catching up over the delicious dishes and desserts. It is a place for sharing food, secrets, and dreams.
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And over the years they have kept their classic menu but regularly updated it. Mention the Chocolate Bar to a friend and they’ll probably say I really want Pink Pasta. Yet, they have also added new things like Gluten Free options for people with dietary restrictions.
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We ended the meal with a classic. The Chocolate Molten cake, but this time we ordered the dark chocolate. Our palates have matured with time and we have learned to respect and appreciate the more meaningful things in life. The vanilla ice cream added the perfect amount of sweetness. We have grown older, but we will never outgrow The Chocolate Bar.
The Chocolate Bar is located in Marina Crescent (9722 4491); Al Bida’a Complex (9722 4492); 1st Avenue-The Avenues (9722 4493); Spoons Mall Mahboula (9744 2278), Murouj (9744 2280), Al Hamra Tower (9662 6589), Jahra Gate (9712 5605,) KOC- Al Ahmadi, and Ahmed al Jaber Oil & Gas Exhibition (9974 9748) and opening soon in Argania, Shuwaikh. The Bakery shop is located in Salmiya, Salem Al Mubarak Street (9893 1518). Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @thechocobar and on Facebook: thechocolatebarkw. Order online via Bleems, Talabat, and Carriage.
