Ganache - Orange Cointreau Cake & Raspberry Mousse

Tasted Orange & Cointreau Cake / Raspberry Mousse

Rating 3 Stars / 4 Stars

Atmosphere Relaxed and all about the indulgence

Service Good, but would like a little more chocolate passion

Return Yes, its a good little chocolate den 

Atmosphere

This is a nice little cafe, and despite the challenges of parking in the area, it lacks a lot of the pretence it could have potentially had as a boutique chocolate cafe in South Yarra.  Walking in its all about the chocolate, with a counter of filled chocolates and other goodies on one side, and bars and other such offerings on the other.  But venture down the back and there is a smattering of tables and chairs where I found my cocoa companion for the day, Miss Lily.  

The service when seated is attentive - water appears without asking, and they are eager to take our order - and are very polite when (twice) we admit to being too busy chatting to look at the menu.  My questions about the cakes are well answered, however when later buying individual chocolates I don't get the enthusiasm I always seek, but service is certainly prompt and polite. 

Orange & Cointreau Cake

I don't personally go for fine and delicate patisserie offerings; I like my cakes heavy, dense and comforting. Sadly for me many of Ganache's offerings look amazing but fall into the former.  I was tempted by the Parisienne tea cake but the distinct presence of honey put me off.  My other possibility, the orange and cointreau cake I was a little wary of as I also don't go for strong liquer tastes either (not that I am fussy at all) but I was determined to have a sweet treat today and the sales assistant kindly insists the cointreau isn't too strong, so this was my choice.

My treat arrives, looking happy sitting in the corner of the plate with a little gold leaf atop and the obligatory pieces of candied orange.  The plate is drizzeld in chocolate which I immediately dip my finger into and am a little disappointed as it was just a tad too like over sweet topping.  But never mind, I'm here for the cake - not the plate decoration!

Taste & Texture

My fork slides in eagerly and I sense the denseness I desire.  And on tasting it I find it good - a good texture, a good flavour but in my heart I am a little disappointed as I wanted great.  To be fair, the cake really is just secondary to the hot chocolate (see our hot chocolate review) and the good company, but I wanted to love it.

The texture is quite good, no airy sponge texture but it doesn't quite have that beautiful marriage of moist denseness - but it is pretty good and does satisfy me.

The flavour itself is subtle - it has a gentle orange flavour but maybe just a tad too gentle. Happily I don't pick up on any particularly strong liquer taste.  

Summary

So overall this is a nice cake, certainly enjoyable but not spectacular.  It does, through virtue of being of gentle flavour, balance well with the hot chocolate.  But I just wanted a little bit more therefore I would rate this as a good cake and 3 out of 5.

However, my chocolate indulging companion, Miss Lily, fared a little better.  

Raspberry Mousse

Her eyes were drawn to the rather fabulous looking raspberry and chocolate mousse.  This spherical treat offered a generous top of lovely looking raspberry pulp (seeds and all) and a rather impressive chocolate decoration which Lily is rather happy to dislodge from the mousse and enjoy. This is also dairy free, not that you can tell as it was delectably creamy.

The size of this was good and whilst I am not the biggest fan of mousse I must admit I suffered a wee bit of the green eyed monster, this does look like a true indulgence. And given the interesting noises coming from Lily I am sure she would concur.  Kindly she is into sharing and I was soon making similar noises, whilst politely trying not to eat too much of her mousse.  

Taste & Texture

It delivered an appropriate mousse texture, being light and airy but rich in taste.  The raspberry was of no surprise, but you still can't help but appreciate from the bold and inviting red splash and its wonderfully sweet but sharp flavour.  And of course this offers a perfect balance to the richness of the milk chocolate mousse.

Nice little touches come forth and make themselves known - a lovely but subtle raspberry flavour through the mousse and a rather delicious dark chocolate base.  And as much as the cake at the bottom was a treat, it only confirmed for me what Lily had already suggested and that is this mousse was lovely but would fare better being dark chocolate.

Summary

But this was a treat, a great size (Lily despite her enjoyment couldn't finish it - what a shame, I had to step in and help!).  When asking her how she would rate it, she took her time, declared it 'delightful' and finailly arrived at a rating 4 out of 5. However, she was was adamant it would have reached the loftier heights of 4.5 had it been dark, but all the same I think she was rather happy with her choice.

Ganache Chocolate
250 Toorak Road, South Yarra
http://www.ganache.com.au/

Reviewers: Shari & Lily
24 April 2010

See the review of our accompanying Cinnamon and Soy Hot Chocolates here.