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The Arcadia News features restaurant reviews each month.
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It's Just Dessert - Part II

In the interest of forming a tradition I have chosen to repeat my theme from last February. As many of you know from experience, it is tough to get a reservation for dinner on Valentine’s day. I however have opted over the past few years to prepare dinner at home and then poke my head into one of my favorite restaurants around ten-ish for dessert and a coffee.
My three picks this year are all fantastic places for that sweet finale. All of them serve espresso and cappuccino, and above all, they have interesting items besides flourless fudge-like cake, which was overstaying its welcome back in the Clinton administration.

Sophie’s French Bistro
2320 E. Osborn Rd., 602-956-8897
They have two chocolate mousse desserts here but my favorite one comes out looking like a miniature version of the Luxor hotel. It has a caramel mousse interior and a dark mousse exterior with a little ganache. The Pyramid of Desire, as they refer to it, is perfect if you are the type who prefer desserts to be small and exquisite. If you would like to magnify the exquisite factor, I recommend pairing the mousse with a rich, deep, cabernet sauvignon.

Cowboy Ciao
7133 E. Stetson Dr., 480-946-3111
Here you will find the Mexican Chocolate Pot de Crème with Chipotle Cream. This is one of my favorite desserts in the city. In a small cup, a medium to firm chocolate ganache is hidden beneath a cold topping of un-whipped heavy cream. My explanation does little justice. This is something you will have to try in order to understand. If you are not in the mood for coffee, I recommend it accompanied by a snifter of Kahlua or a White Russian.

Grazie Pizzeria & Wine Bar
6952 E. Main St., 480-663-9797
Here is the mighty Dolce Dela Casa. There is something romantic and yet primal about this dessert to me. It must be the way that couples hunch over it like wolverines, or the lost, confused look in my wife’s eyes. She doesn’t know whether she should eat it or haul it away to her burrow and guard over it, spitting and hissing at anyone who comes close. Basically, it’s a full size calzone filled with Nutella and Bananas, then baked. Large dollops of vanilla ice cream top it off. The combination of flavors brought from the sweet, nutty Nutella, the ice cream, and bananas work against the salty pizza dough. It’s heaven and yes, a bit messy.

Last year’s dessert locales are still available here.