There is an art to putting together a restaurant-style plated dessert. With a little practice and a good sense of style, you can definitely put an upscale twist on your at-home dessert presentations, but starting out with a guide that will teach you the ins-and-outs of creating these impressive desserts is an easier way to begin. To get you started, I’m giving away a copy of The Dessert Architect to one lucky reader. The cookbook, which I’ve reviewed before, is written by Robert Wemischner and teaches you the fundamentals of putting together plated desserts with detailed information about the foundations of these desserts and many tempting recipes. To be completely honest, it is also terrific for food bloggers looking for some new presentation ideas.
To enter the contest, leave a comment below with the best dessert you’ve had at a restaurant – whether it’s a neighborhood favorite or a splurge restaurant you visited on vacation. Don’t forget to mention what city the restaurant is in so we can all make a note to give it a try if/when we’re in town! Simple and elaborate desserts will both do, so don’t worry if you’re favorite isn’t something particularly fancy. The contest ends Sunday, February 26th at midnight and the winner will be randomly selected from the entries. Don’t forget to fill in your e-mail on the comment form (it will not be public), as that is how I will contact the winner, and good luck!
Update: This contest is now closed. Thanks for entering, everyone. Congrats to Madison on winning the book!
Kelley
February 25, 2012I LOVE the White Chocolate Mousse from The Common Man in Ashland, NH! It is so delicious!
Stephanie
February 25, 2012Cheesecake with salted caramel!!
Jenny
February 25, 2012I love the chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and vanilla ice cream at Bone Fish Grill!! I don’t know how they make it so good, but my mouth is watering thinking about it!!!
Kelly
February 25, 2012I just love the Lobster Tails at Mike’s Pastry in Boston. They are so good! I make a point to tell everyone who is going to Boston that they must go there. Also the cannoli and gelato are great too!
Sonja
February 25, 2012I have beome addicted to the chocolate toffee chuck cookie at the Atlanta Bread Company in Charleston, S.C. It is so good, I found myself stopping everyday after work just to take one home with me. Needless to say, I know where these five pounds have come from.
Jessica
February 25, 2012The tiramisu from Spiaggia in Chicago was amazing. That’s the first one that came to mind.
sophia
February 25, 2012The creme brulee at Bouley in NYC is amazing. Super pricey restaurant but worth it for a treat 🙂
Kaylene
February 25, 2012Raspberry Almond Torte from Market Street Broiler in SLC, UT
Eva
February 25, 2012Black Forest Cake from Wasabi Sushi Restaurant in Brooklyn is amazing <3
I fell in love with it on the first try~
rosa
February 25, 2012Any piece of pie at Pie and Burger in Pasadena, CA (my fav is the berry)! Get it a la mode! The BEST 🙂
reena
February 26, 2012i love tiramisu …reena
Jess Belle
February 26, 2012The best dessert I’ve ever had was the lavender creme brulee at Suzette’s Creperie in Wheaton, Illinois
Madison
February 26, 2012The Ile Flottante at Bouchon in Yountville is my favorite!
Stephanie P.
February 26, 2012Most people find it cheesy, but I can’t get enough of the Baked Alaska dessert and presentation they do on cruises!
Karen
February 26, 2012My boyfriend and I LOVE the Great Wall of Chocolate from PF Chang’s in Cincinnati. We used to order the Chocolate Lasagne at Olive Garden, but sadly, they took it off of their menu .
Lori
February 26, 2012Hands down, the homemade apple pie I had at a tiny cafe-style restaurant in Cape Breton, NS. Simple sugar and butter style pastry, wholesome apples, loads of cinnamon hot and fresh.
FrugalMom
February 26, 2012The most memorable dessert I’ve ever had was Peach Melba with creamy vanilla custard (ice cream) at the Windermere Hotel in Windermere, England. It was 1969 so it might no longer be on the menu.
TK
February 26, 2012Mochi ice cream!
Son Pham
February 26, 2012When I was a little girl, the only dessert- in some special events of course- my dad can bought for me is gummy bear candy. I didn’t know the texture of any cakes that time but i swear that those little candy tasted so good. I think you can get gummy bear candy at anywhere in the world, but unfortunately, you may difficutly find them in restaurant.
Lisa
February 26, 2012I think my favorite restaurant dessert was at Mario’s in Nashville, TN – Mixed Berries with Sabayon it was served in a chocolate bowl. I haven’t had it in years (and I think I heard Mario’s is no longer there), but it was sooooo good!
Nif
February 26, 2012I love the traditional flan at Taco Mama’s in Hot Springs, AR, and the food there is awesome as well. 🙂