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With desserts this good, there’s no time for utensils: Philadelphia Dessert Guide

Don’t take this personally but if you don’t like desserts, there’s a good chance you’re weird. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But if you do like desserts, Philadelphia is a great place to be. Today we’re going to hop around a bit and give you some ideas about where you might go to satisfy that sudden sweet tooth that attacks so viciously.

A few places you might know. A few might be surprising. The common theme is they’re all good enough to make you slap your grandmomma and not even be sorry. Take a gander at ThisWeekInPhilly.com’s incomplete but official Philadelphia Dessert Guide to tasty treats that you really should eat before you die.

Capogiro Gelateria (119 South 13th Street; 117 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA)
www.capogirogelato.com
Gelato is the Italian version of ice cream. At Capogiro, they’re dedicated to using the finest in fresh, locally grown ingredients to make small batches of this smooth, light, creamy treat by hand every morning. Try classics like Pistacchio, Stracciatella, and Nocciola, or dig into one of our innovative designs: Rosemary Honey Goat’s Milk, Honey Cumin Gelato, or Mascarpone and Fig. There’s a reason our counter is jam-packed each day. Give it a try and discover what Italy knows you’re missing.

Beau Monde (Northwest Corner of 6th and Bainbridge Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19147)
www.creperie-beaumonde.com
It seems the French have been keeping a sweet secret as well. Since the Middle Ages, crepes have been enjoyed by the people of France, especially in the Northwest region of Brittany. At Beau Monde, they import the flat, round, cast-iron crepe griddles that are used to prepare the very best crepe in Philadelphia. This ain’t IHOP. This is exquisite heaven for the sweet tooth out there.

Naked Chocolate Café (1317 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA)
www.nakedchocolatecafe.com
If you’ve got a chocolate problem, you know who you are. Naked Chocolate Café is the ultimate chocolate experience. Take the finest chocolates, the purest ingredients, add hand-crafted creativity and delicious desserts made in the store kitchen, and you’ve got something to drool over. Take a look at the pictures on the website and you’ll be screaming for mercy while digging for spare change in your couch cushion as you run out the door half-dressed on the way there. Geez, put some pants on, will you?

Buddakan (325 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106)
www.buddakan.com
Buddakan has dessert? Oh my, you don’t even know what you’re missing if you haven’t tried the sweet part of the menu at this fabulous modern Asian cuisine restaurant. Favorites are Buddakan Crème Brulee, Chocolate Pagoda, Green Tea Cheesecake, and the Banana Tower. Never had one of those? Here’s a description: “A crisp cookie tower filled with rum-glazed bananas and caramel cream with chocolate and caramel rum sauces.” It’s okay if you shriek like a little girl while you call to make immediate reservations. I won’t tell anyone.

Bistro Romano (120 Lombard Street, Society Hill, Philadelphia, PA 19147)
www.bistroromano.com
Sure, Bistro Romano may be known for their lobster ravioli and margaritas but you won’t find yourself slumming when you head for the dessert menu either. Try to contain the whimpers of delight as your sweetly tempting tray is hand-delivered to your table with a flourish. I’d tell you exactly what the choices are but have been sworn to secrecy by a blood oath and I’d rather not roll those dice.

Miel Patisserie (204 South 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103)
www.mielpastry.com/Scripts/openExtra.asp?Extra=23
It’s been decades since Center City has seen a pastry shop this fine. Affordable versions of light-as-air mille feuilles, hundreds of high end chocolates, éclairs and lemon squares, enough to make you swoon into pirouettes in the center of the street. Set saliva glands to high.

Had enough? Begging for mercy yet? That concludes the entertainment portion of this sticky sweet blog. When you’ve tried every single selection from the dessert menu of these six fine establishments, let me know and I’ll find you some more. Until then, stay safe and remember to always eat cake first.

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