So if anyone knows me even a little bit, they know that the only thing I love more than eating is, well… eating chocolate! So when the team at Max Brenner offered for Rie (our behind-the-scenes LuxSpot SuperGirl) and I to venture to their Union Square location to get a load of a chocolate, it was impossible to resist. Bringing a large appetite – and an excitement that would have had people thinking we’d just won a ticket to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory – we arrived at the restaurant to find it buzzing with energy and filled with adults and children alike.  The perfect environment for a fun date or a weekend lunch with the kids, Max Brenner offers a not only a selection of chocolate infused treats, but also foods such as salads, paninis, and pasta.Â
But since Rie and I both had throbbing sweet teeth on this particular occasion, we opted to act like ten year-olds for about an hour and have sweets for dinner…
Chocolate PizzaÂ
Second to chocolate, pizza is my favorite food. True story! So to say that this was the most delightful, deliciously heavenly food my taste buds have ever had the pleasure of encountering, would be an understatement. Toppings on this included hazelnut, marshmallow, peanut butter (my personal favorite), and sliced banana – and we couldn’t get enough of it all! At first glance, the vision of such ingredients on a pizza pie might lead some to be skeptical, but if there’s one truth I’ve ever told in my 20-something years of living, it’s that this pizza will not disappoint. Though it’s found on the grown-up menu, this is definitely something that could be serve as a dessert for the family.
Max’s Three Layer Concoction with Cookies and Peanut Butter
And a beautiful and tasty concoction it is. “A milk chocolate cream layered with Oreo cookie bits with peanut butter and white chocolate chunks, topped with whipped cream,” when I took my first taste of this, I privately worshipped Mr. Brenner for thinking up a dessert that was so simple, but so sinfully scrumptious. The biscotti and chocolate covered wafer balls were a great addition, but this creation could stand alone.
and last, but not least:
The Chocolate Burger
Oh yes my friends, believe your eyes; it is a chocolate burger. We were so intrigued by this dish, that we had to make it a point to order it even though we’d already devoured two dishes of equally amazing goodness. Here’s a breakdown of what this actually is: the bun is made of brioche, and the “burger patty” is actually a patty of pure milk chocolate ganache topped with a thin layer of melted marshmallow, while the “ketchup” is strawberry sauce, and the “mayonnaise” is melted white chocolate sauce. Rich sounding? It is. I recommend this only for serious chocoholics!Â
Overall, our experience at Max Brenner was fabulous. Family-friendly and moderately priced, most of the desserts ran between $10-$15, and were simply divine. My only warning? Proceed with caution; if you have a weakness for sweets, you may stumble out of here with a stomach ache and five extra pounds to go with it!Â
In the case that you actually do walk out of here with the capability of consuming more, I recommend heading over to SoHo’s newest gem Bar 108, at 108 West Houston Street for a drink!Â
This hot spot recently opened in January, and offers a subdued ambiance great for any occasion. While the bar is still operating off a limited menu (the kitchen is still being worked on), it offers a solid selection of over thirty beers, wine, champagne and liquor. Rie and I ordered some refreshing cocktails to cleanse our palates of chocolate overload, and we were delighted to find that we could relax and engage in enjoyable conversation without having to raise our voices over normal bar chatter and noise. We’ll definitely be frequenting Bar 108 more often, especially once their springtime sidewalk dining area makes its debut!
