Dilettante

Chocolate+Alcohol: two of my finest addictions brought together with some yummy twists.
The menu is pretty extensive. One can get a major array of chocolate infused cocktails, ice creams, rich cakes, smooth sorbets, coffee and liqueurs with spicy kicks!
Nice wait staff, if a bit random at times. Great spot to cozy up to indoors with dark interior, chandeliers, and good seating as you gaze out at Broadway.
The creamy chocolate cocktails are a definite must to try!
My only gripe was the dirty water glass at our table. Leftover lipstick: Yuck! Waitress brought us over a new glass and silverware.
All in all I plan to keep my addictions periodically satisfied at this place!

You know, I’d initially think this is a great idea, but you know what, it’s actually kind of weird.
On one hand it’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and on the other hand it’s like booze, cake, chocolates, and sandwiches eaten inside a chocolate house. It’s sensory overload.
I clearly have the minority opinion as we happened to a packed «lounge, which is really like dim chocolate room bar in the back and ordered the $ 5 cheese cake special. 15 minutes later we left, because really, at 15 min they must have had to bake it up in the back.
I did buy a nice box of chocolates though!

The Unilocal site as of this review still has the old address. The new street address is:
538 Broadway Ave East
206−329−6463
Phone is the same. It’s definitely open.
I had the mexican hot chocolate, it was ok. I expected more spice, more cinnamon or pepper, and it was just watery hot chocolate, with no real zing. Two in our group had ice cream sundaes, and they seemed to enjoy them, but to me, they tasted strongly of maraschino cherry, a taste that didn’t really mesh with the rest of the flavors. Another had the banana cake; she said it was really dry and didn’t finish it. They didn’t rush us out, even though they were busy, and let me try the salted caramel ice cream, which was delicious. Overall it’s a nice place to go for an after dinner treat, and it’s not terribly expensive. It wasn’t great for me, but the people having ice cream enjoyed it, so it gets an «ok» rating.

I had high expectations, this place looked classy and delectable and had many good reviews. I was disappointed: while the chocolate was good, it didn’t really stand out from other chocolate places. What I expected to stand out was the atmosphere, which turned out to be very disappointing.
The atmosphere looked dark and mysterious, especially from the outside but was ruined by loud music. In my opinion, some smooth jazz might have better suited the mood, but instead they were blasting pop-​rock. Between this and the general din of loud conversations, it was difficult to hold a conversation without raising my voice significantly. Not relaxing.
The service was terrible. Our waiter took a very long time to deliver anything, and rarely came around. When we went to pay up front, it took five minutes to pay because the cashier disappeared before we were done with our transaction, and we had to wait for her to sort out a complication.
Drinks were good, except the Orange Spritzer. Lesson: don’t order an Orange Spritzer at a chocolate place. The chocolate martinis are wonderful, and the Green Fairy, an absinthe orange liqueur drink was delicious. The truffles were alright, not amazing, and the raspberry torte was good.
All in all, the chocolate was alright, but did not make up for the anything-​but-​relaxing atmosphere and poor service.

This place is ok… I prefer Simply Desserts and 60^th St Bakery.
Ordered:
— Rigo jancsi: hungarian torte. chocolate mousse with rapberry. (5 out of 10)
— Cappucino gâteau: choc and vanilla genoise with mocha ganache topped with italian butteream.(5 out of 10)
— Mocha ephemere (7.5 out of 10)

I’ve only been there at night so when combined with the dim lighting inside, everything seems mysterious and mystical. The dim lighting also made the chocolate/​cake/​dessert showcase seem ultra lit. When entering the establishment, your eyes are just drawn to the temperature controlled casket, the bright light beckoning you closer. You want to reach out and tough the savory treats but of course your hand will meet nothing but a cold glass shield that curbs your temptation and leaves you unhappy.
I don’t recall the name of it but I ordered a coffee/​chocolate beverage that had a very interesting spiciness to it. It was expensive, but it certainly was good. I don’t think I would be a regular here considering both my wallet and cholesterol would suffer the consequences, but it’s a great intimate date place and a wonderful choice for an evening get-​together with people to discuss politics, the environment, and Iron Man.

If you don’t like Ice Cream Sundaes, I can’t help you in life.
If I *can* help you, let me help you by telling you that eating the ‘Coupe Dilettante’ or ‘Coupe Caramel’ (fancy ways of saying Hot Fudge and Caramel Sundae) are forking amazing. Really, really, really good.
At Dilettante you can get a few different things… coffee (it’s good, not amazing, but really good), tarts, torts and pastries (really good, I don’t find them amazing), bon bons (or confections, or chocolates or whatever you call them, more on those later) and ice cream Sundaes with their sauces and amazingly good whipped cream on them.
I recommend the Sundaes. And when I say «I recommend», I mean… I REALLY recommend. Absolutely fantastic, they are.
A lot of times when you eat ICS’s they are really good, but seem awash in sugar and foam. Not so at Dilettante. They are thick and rich and have depth in both texture and taste. Highly recommended. Perhaps the best ICS I’ve ever had in my life.
Also, the chocolates. I think they are great, personally. To me, they are my favorites. They are in the niche right below über-​gourmet places like La Maison du Chocolat in NYC and that’s usually where the best food is, sort of right below the über-​fancy level when the bizarre tastes of people that are crazy into food and deal with it constantly push things in a strange direction.
At Dilettante, the chocolates are just really, really yummy. They are exactly what you want when you get chocolates. They are rich, wonderful, flavorful (I like the champagne truffles a lot), but not weird; likewise, they are yummy and comforting without feeling so mass produced that you can no longer taste any inspiration (where you at Godiva?).
As a P. S., the ambiance with the Xmas lights and all that is nice too, if a bit ‘for chicks’. Still, when my metabolism was faster I went very often.

I’m writing this review assuming that when you walk into Dilettante, you’re on a leisurely date with almost all the time in the world. If you do go, you MUST order the sundae. I don’t care what kind of ice cream you get but just get the sundae because it is absolutely the most delicious ice cream dessert EVER: scoops of ice cream with just enough dilettante fudge drizzled on top with two crackers tucked in and topped with a truffle. unfortunately, there isn’t a memorable cake dessert that jumps out at me. all i can recommend is: try something chocolate and you won’t regret it.
–1 star because there can be long waits (especially on weekend and friday nights) and the waitresses don’t attend to their tables very well: i once had to wait almost half an hour after i finished eating just to get her attention to pay my tab.

I usually don’t eat chocolate or anything that’s TOO SWEET. I just can’t take it.
But I really liked this place a lot, well, I didn’t have chocolate here but I had this ice cream float soda. I remember everyone had root beer but I had something else. They had two kind of icea cream soda with root beer and this. I had the second one and it wasn’t TOO SWEET and it was PERFECT! The waitress was kind too.
I love this place I’d like to visit here again.

Problem: My low key first date with someone I’ve never met before options are limited by the fact that I don’t consume caffeine — thus, coffee is out, but I still something want a similar feel.
Solution: Dilettante Chocolates.
If I’m looking for that kind of experience, I generally do it on either a weeknight or a Sunday, and I’ve found historically that at those times, sitting in one of the tables by the window is not a problem and it tends to be relaxed and a great venue to have that first conversation. Going at those times also makes it much more tolerable to the staff for me to be there for 3+ hours, as indicated by the fact that water continues to be refilled.
I strongly recommend the mocha praline — it is a mixture of layers of varying density and is not too sweet. It is my standby, and of all the people who have chosen something else and sampled it, the responses have been in the range of «I like that too» to «I should have ordered that.» The vanilla ice cream is also curiously good. I’m not entirely sure if they’re using the sweet equivalent of MSG to make it so good, but even at a place with a wide dessert selection, it is still seriously worth considering.
To answer the obvious question, I also like B&O — I tend to alternate, it’s really more a matter of mood than a hard preference, but both have served me well.

The first time I went here (about a year ago), I would have given this place 4 stars (for the desserts and variety of yummy beverages alone) and minus 1 star for the slow service. Now it’s a whole different story. I went there just last weekend and realized that everything changed.
First, they now serve bagged tea; (instead of the real fresh kind which you strain from your teapot yourself) tasteless and absolutely disgusting, expecially for the price you pay.
Second, they do not serve the delightful pieces of their gourmet chocolates anymore along with your beverage, and instead provide 2 – 3 of the little mini kisses you can buy a bag for at walmart for like $ 2.
Third, their desserts taste more than a day or two old and having been in broadway for other non-​related occasions, have seen them store their desserts in the same glass display and served «fresh» the next day.
Heck, if I could give this place no stars I would but at least I got my money back. Of course, afterwards the waitress tried to avoid us for the rest of the night even though we were ready to pay the unworthy remaining 8 some dollars and leave.
I guess you could say I’m a little bitter that a fine establishment like this could have gone terribly wrong but seriously… if you’re going to provide cheaper services then maybe they should have lowered their prices as well… greedy mongers.

Oh dilettante… how I love thee…
I can truly say with great company and some sweet treats… my horrible crappy, enviromental depression day is over!!! and a bad cup of espresso or a stale piece of cake would fuck it up even more… so instead of ruining my day even more. this is usually my place of happiness :)
my order :
— cup of espresso with two brown sugar cubes
— one chocolate mousse
—-simple but perfect — — — –just like me. jp haaha
the espresso there is pretty tasty. and the chocolate mousse melts in your mouth… but the best part isn’t the great mousse, drinks, or even the cases of oversized goodies. it’s arian… the host. he welcomes you with a warm smile,… but it isn’t’ his welcoming smile that makes your night complete. it’s his voice. he serenades you with his random genre of music he had uploaded from his limewire that evening…(it was my girl that night) it’s pretty great :) … but warning you. he kind of sings like a girl. so it’s kind of strange, and very amusing. but I guess it is capitol hill… right? it could be worst. aliens could roam our universe hahahhahahha anyways. if that can’t get you to go. I don’t know what will…

After dinner, it was time for dessert at Dilettante. At 9:00pm on a Sunday, the tables were 40% full at the most. With that, we were seated, had ordered, and were presented with plates full of chocolate goodness within about ten minutes.
Our choice was a very dense, chocolate torte covered with a raspberry jam-​like topping under a layer of chocolate ganache. At over $ 6.00 per slice, the price is high, but worth it for that serious chocolate fix. The torte is very rich, moist and delicious and the raspberry topping adds a nice berry flavor to the whole thing.
Drink choices include a variety of coffee and chocolate drinks, and there are even a couple of Port choices on the menu. We chose the Six Grapes Port, which matched well with the chocolate and raspberry dessert. From my past experiences with Port, the pour seemed fairly generous at about four to five ounces per glass.
Dessert here can get expensive fairly quickly, but for satisfying a chocolate fix, Dilettante hits the spot. The desserts can be very rich, so sharing amongst a few friends can be a smart decision if you are prone to suffering after a chocolate overdose. The prices are prohibitive to frequent visits, but this is definitely a spot to which I will return for those special occasions and rare chocolate cravings.

Science and chocolate! What could be sexier?
Amy B. and I headed to Dilettante yesterday afternoon to conduct an experiment. We wanted to compare the Ephemere Hot Chocolate, made with ganache, to the cocoa-​based Dr. Sloan.
Results?
– Price: The Dr. Sloan costs a bit less than the Ephemere.
– Presentation: The Ephemere comes with whipped cream; the Dr. Sloan comes unadorned. In order to make a fair comparison, we transferred half the cream to the other cup.
– Color: The Dr. Sloan is notably darker.
– Flavor: The Ephemere is much milder in taste. Perhaps by itself it would seem chocolatey, but compared to the Dr. Sloan, it seemed more like a vanilla steamer. The Dr. Sloan had a nice strong chocolate taste.
– Mouth-​feel: The Ephemere is somewhat thicker and richer.
– Overall: We preferred the Dr. Sloan. And we’re proud of ourselves, because it’s not often that we prefer the less-​expensive option!
We also had some cake, which, while flavorful was a bit dry. We felt it could have benefitted from a nice soaking with liquor. But then again, what woudn’t?

You don’t have to be a chocoholic to enjoy Dilettante. Every time I go, I get the raspberry cheesecake. I usually end up sharing with friends because everyone wants to get different things and share – but people often end up eating the cheesecake the most (meaning, less for me). I’ve also tried the Voltaire drink, which is incredibly rich and strong – but a good choice if you want something to wake you up.
The Ephemere tort is dense, heavy, and a bit too sweet for me – but perfect for someone who likes chocolate.
I went to Dilettante last night (Tuesday evening) and found it surprisingly empty. There were only two other tables full of people. Usually the place is PACKED, but I think it’s during the weekend evenings or more toward the end of the week. Usually, the place is too loud for my taste, especially when you go there to catch up with friends. It’s a good late-​night place to stop off at to buy desserts to bring home, though.

Any business model that has to do with cake and coffee is tops in my book. This is exactly how that palace of empty food consumption, Cheescake Factory, started in Beverly Hills during the early ‘70s.
Dilettante, please don’t go there.

Oh Dilettante Chocolates, why does thee have to be so deceiving from the street? From the outside, I was expecting a more Moonstruck Chocolate-​ish décor and persona, Moonstruck of course being the Victoria’s Secret of chocolate shops, Diletattante being the Frederick’s of chocolate shops.
Seemingly unfinished decorations and awkwardly laid out tables, along with no table settings, terrible lighting and the kicker for me; Chocolate/​Strawberry/​Caramel sauce dessert pumps a la Dairy Queen in plain view of at least a quarter of the dining room.
Did I mention the music? Reggae, REGGAE playing in a awkward i’ve-yet-to-find-my-niche chocolate shop. Did I mention the water that arrived ice less in a cup that tasted salty?
OK, OK… Enough nitpicking on the décor, wait staff, appearance and ambiance, after all these are trivial details in the grand scheme of dining experiences, right? Well, no… They really aren’t. *sigh*
What if I did have the best Chocolate Genoise or Gran Coupe there? What if the gâteau was the BEST I’ve ever had? It wouldn’t really matter, because the experience wasn’t what I expected, I couldn’t hear my significant other over the Shabba Ranks (or whatever) blaring on the stereo or have focused long enough on something other than pre-​made dessert sauces to actually have enjoyed my dessert.
2 stars for using good chocolate, lo siento amigos.

I’ll have to say I’m a little disappointed. I so wanted to love this place! My dessert was okay, good at best. But, nothing special and too expensive.
If you want a romantic dessert somewhere on the hill, I suggest either taking this home with you or going to B&O. The overhead lighting made me feel like I was in a classroom or a retail shop. It was kind of loud, the tables were cheap looking and they were playing reggae. REGGAE.
If you are in desperate need for chocolate, need a place to break-​up with someone or want to waste money, then go here. Otherwise, don’t.

Okay, so you finally found a coveted parking space on Broadway and now you’re here. Hopefully you’ve timed it right or else you’ll be waiting a while. Outside. Or hovering over an awkward couple on their second date and trying to remember if they shaved their legs that morning.
The nitty gritty: The desserts are the f-​ing bomb and will leave you craving for more. Highly recommend partaking in a little late night nudge or other coffee beverage just to add to the feeling of indulgence. Heard that the dinners are good as well, though never tried them myself. This is where I come for the sweet tooth cravings, and I never leave disappointed.
However, what will disappoint: The close proximity of where you are to other tables in the restaurant; you’re practically sitting in each others’ laps. It’s great practice in really focusing in the one (s) you’re with and tuning the outer conversations out, but annoying all the same. Also, I remember the lighting and overall ambiance being more inviting a couple years ago, but then again, that’s not really what I’m coming for anyway.
Try it out at least once. Your dentist will thank you.

After my unfulfilling meal at Queen of Sheba my friend and I headed down Broadway to find something to fill our tummies. We stumbled upon Dilettantes Chocolates where wine and dessert were in order.
I went for a glass of Pinot Noir and bread pudding both were fabulous, the bread pudding was not a great as the Tap House bread pudding but much better than the dinner I tried to consume earlier in the evening. My friend went for the cheesecake and was very happy with her choice. The Café left me feeling a little cold but that might have been because we were sitting right inside the door but I’m not sure. The ladies room was a little dirty and cold as well but I didn’t care I had wine and bread pudding to eat.

I always want to go here at the end of a nice, comfortable date and get some sugar. Maybe not the sugar he was hoping for, but fulfilling nonetheless.
It’s a dessert place. I haven’t been brave enough to try the actual food (what, Sarah, dessert isn’t actual food?) though I hear it’s good.
I always indulge in a pot of tea with cream and sugar, and a pistachio cake. «My» waitress has endeared herself to me by creating an ASL sign to represent me and my pistachio problem, which she pairs with, «Oh, it’s YOU!» and a huge grin. I guess it is a little weird… I take each nut off of the cake, suck all the frosting off of it, and place it on the tea plate. I thought no one noticed, what.
Dilettante has a secure place in my Seattle heart.

The desserts are good, but you really only need to try the hot chocolate made with their signature ephemere sauce to come back for more.
Dilettante is one of those places you think you like more than you actually do while you are there. The desserts can be kind of hit or miss, and the right side of the restaurant doesn’t really match up to the left side so you are in a cozy dining room looking across at a not so attractive shop set-​up. It’s kind of disconcerting.
Still, people always want to go here, and it’s not bad enough to say no, so enjoy your dessert and make your friends happy.