A long anticipated trip to Cocoamoda Chocolate Boutique & Restaurant in Calvert confirmed what many people have told me. Cocoamoda offers a first class dining experience at first class prices.
I have always had reservations about spending $100 for a dinner for two in Central Texas. Could anything in this area be as good as the top tier of restaurants in Austin? In Ft. Worth? In Dallas? The logical answer is probably not but there are some things that just defy logic.
It is not exactly a short drive down Highway 6 to Calvert, Texas. With only 1,350 people and shrinking, you would not expect to find a chocolate factory and first class eatery in the middle of town.
The restaurant is small only a few tables that will seat 25 maybe 30 people. The staff is limited but expert in their handling of guests. I can recommend both the appetizers and the soups as well conceived and delicious. The Cocoamoda Shrimp was very unusual. I am not sure about the soggy pastry under the jumbo shrimp but the dark chocolate sauce (made from their wonderful recipe) gave the shrimp a slightly sweet mole flavor. The salads suffered from a little dryness due to being made ahead. The outstanding blackberry vinaigrette dressing almost made up for the slightly wilted greens.
My lamb chops were very good. They came pan fried and seasoned to a bright red-orange color. The presentation could have been a nice one accept for the pool of red-orange oil that ran amok on the plate as it drained from the chops. Although it did not affect the flavor, it was one of the few missteps of the evening.
One of the menu specials was Beef Wellington. Delicious pastry surrounded a very large piece of tender beef. The portion was certainly more than one person should eat. Both entrees were accompanied by carefully prepared vegetables. Asparagus, carrots, and mashed potatoes were all tasty.
Cocoamoda also has some huge lobsters. These 3 to 5 pound monsters were carefully dissected by the wait staff and served with drawn butter. They looked great.
There are some desserts on the menu but if chocolates are their specialty, why would you try the pumpkin pie?
Cocoamoda is a great place for a special occasion or a day-trip adventure. Do make reservations. Take advantage of their BYOB situation at least through May 2011.
I have always had reservations about spending $100 for a dinner for two in Central Texas. Could anything in this area be as good as the top tier of restaurants in Austin? In Ft. Worth? In Dallas? The logical answer is probably not but there are some things that just defy logic.
It is not exactly a short drive down Highway 6 to Calvert, Texas. With only 1,350 people and shrinking, you would not expect to find a chocolate factory and first class eatery in the middle of town.
The restaurant is small only a few tables that will seat 25 maybe 30 people. The staff is limited but expert in their handling of guests. I can recommend both the appetizers and the soups as well conceived and delicious. The Cocoamoda Shrimp was very unusual. I am not sure about the soggy pastry under the jumbo shrimp but the dark chocolate sauce (made from their wonderful recipe) gave the shrimp a slightly sweet mole flavor. The salads suffered from a little dryness due to being made ahead. The outstanding blackberry vinaigrette dressing almost made up for the slightly wilted greens.
My lamb chops were very good. They came pan fried and seasoned to a bright red-orange color. The presentation could have been a nice one accept for the pool of red-orange oil that ran amok on the plate as it drained from the chops. Although it did not affect the flavor, it was one of the few missteps of the evening.
One of the menu specials was Beef Wellington. Delicious pastry surrounded a very large piece of tender beef. The portion was certainly more than one person should eat. Both entrees were accompanied by carefully prepared vegetables. Asparagus, carrots, and mashed potatoes were all tasty.
Cocoamoda also has some huge lobsters. These 3 to 5 pound monsters were carefully dissected by the wait staff and served with drawn butter. They looked great.
There are some desserts on the menu but if chocolates are their specialty, why would you try the pumpkin pie?
Cocoamoda is a great place for a special occasion or a day-trip adventure. Do make reservations. Take advantage of their BYOB situation at least through May 2011.
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