/ Reviews / Cafe
Dining in a Barbie World
by Stephanie Sherrill
on Friday, June 19, 2009 12:00 AM
We couldn't help but get caught up in the girly Barbie excitement. The 1950's-esque diner motif complete with a black and white tiled floor and counters displaying produce, desserts and ice cream is a dream. We settled into a pink booth and anxiously perused the David Laris designed menu. The Barbie-tini and the Australian Pure Blonde beer were tempting, but it was a little early so we opted for the light Bubble-licious cocktail (55RMB) and Pink Lemonade (30RMB).
The Barbie inspired menu showcases healthy, colorful American and European cuisines to appeal to families, sophisticated women and even the Kens out there. The menu is playful. There is a slider burger for Kelly (40RMB), Barbie's younger sister, the Barbie Burger (60RMB) and a larger Ken Burger (70RMB) with cheddar cheese and bacon for the men. And to keep the pink theme, each burger is topped with a pink aioli sauce (colored with a little beet juice).
Chef Tessa Thompson also has a real talent with seafood. The Seared Sea Scallops (90RMB) featured perfectly seared scallops in a buttery cream corn sauce and shitake mushrooms. The Spring Linguine (80RMB) had plump juicy shrimp with crispy tender vegetables in al dente pasta lightly covered with an extra virgin olive oil sauce. Overall the food was tasty, light and just right, not heavy or greasy.
The highlight of the meal was the decadent yet down-home-goodness of the desserts. The rich Butterscotch Praline Blonde (45RMB) is a coconut, chocolate and butterscotch cake reminiscent of something my grandmother might have baked. The Dream House Sundae (40RMB) was huge with scoops of strawberry, chocolate and taro signature ice creams topped with whipped cream. The final touch of a sprinkling of rock candy (jump jump candy) added the extra pop to really impress.
The Bottom Line: This is a fun, playful restaurant with a well carried out theme and tasty meal that the whole family or ladies will enjoy.
