Chocolate DeSténation

While the original De Sté at Mandarin Gallery features only a takeaway counter, a five minute walk away would take you to 313 @ Somerset's Chocolate DeSténation (read: destination, or even more abstractly, De Sté nation), which has outdoor seats for you to sit, enjoy your cakes and drinks, and people-watch.


The setting here is minimal, with no air-conditioning (except at the takeaway area) to save you from the sweltering heat and humidity. One thing is for sure though, being in a café that tries to style itself as an Italian café is only making me all excited about my graduation trip to Italy at the end of the month! Thank goodness there's no overweight charges for passengers!

Nocciole Caffe Frappe Hazelnut


The Hazelnut Frappe was decent without being anything worth shouting about. It just wasn't rich enough to set you on a caffeine or chocolate high. Nuts aplenty though, for that extra crunch in your drink. The best friend enjoyed her Mocha Caffe Frappe much more.

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Wrap


You've often heard me talking about "the best friend", so well, here she is! She was reluctant to pose with our sweet treats for the afternoon, but had no other choice because my camera was acting all weird and had trouble focusing on the items. About the Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake Wrap, she found it too dry and it was ordinary, to say the very least.

Soffiato


The Italian version to the chocolate lava cake, the Soffiato was chocolatey good and I especially liked the rich and warm chocolate "lava" spilling out. It's a pity that the chocolate chip gelato that was served with it was terribly watery and melted incredibly fast, else this would have been pretty good as a whole.

Service
Very good. Free iced water is served here as well.

Price
$6.80 for each flavoured frappes
$5.50 for the chocolate strawberry shortcake wrap
$8.90 for the soffiato

* Prices subject to the usual 7% GST and 10% service charge.

Place
313 @ Somerset, #01-25/25A.
Behind the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites.

Footnote
Rachel is better now. Thank you everyone for your concern :)

Pictures taken with the Canon EOS 500D.