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| A Complete Intermezzo by Abigail Abbott If only more men knew the power of a well-crafted atmosphere, the dating world would be a different place. For those who require tutelage on good old-fashioned romance, there is Café Intermezzo, which recently celebrated its 25th year anniversary serving hungry sweet-toothed Atlantans. After falling in love with the coffeehouses of Germany and Austria, Brian Olson and partner opened their own version of the European coffeehouse, Café Intermezzo, in Dunwoody, Georgia in 1979. The second location, on Peachtree Road in Atlanta, opened in 1987. Café Intermezzo has been synonymous with the word ‘date’ ever since. On any given night you can watch countless couples sip big mugs of coffee at small, intimate tables or witness other patrons pace the dessert case pondering which of the innumerable cakes, pies and tortes to try. Until my last visit, I wasn’t even aware that there was a full menu at Café Intermezzo. I’ve always been too interested in the 50-page drink menu and the expansive dessert display to think about anything else. However, this time I came hungry for a meal. My friend and I each selected a glass of wine to start and both agreed that gnoshing on a hummus platter was definitely in order. After a few sips of wine, we devoured the warm triangles of pita bread and hummus, trying not to spoil our appetites before the ravioli arrived. I chose the portabella mushroom-infused ravioli while my fellow pasta lover ordered the three cheese ravioli. The dinner selections here do range beyond noodles but neither of us could resist such mouth-watering descriptions of the Italian staple. The entrees quickly arrived in deceptively small white oval dishes, bubbling with sauce and cheese. What first appeared to be petite were actually substantial portions. Surveying them, I realized willpower would have to be invoked in order to save room for the required dessert course to follow. I forced myself to let mine cool. I managed to prevent burning my entire mouth and only slightly singed it with the first bite. The woodsy mushroom flavor oozed from the soft pasta, marinara and mozzarella. My dinner mate described hers as equally delicious, although quite rich from the combination of cheddar, pepperjack, and mozarella cheese. We savored the hearty fare and made small talk until it was time for the main event. I couldn’t wait to get up and peruse the massive dessert display and quiz the staff on each and every cake in the case. However, once I got started I wasn’t sure how to narrow down my choices. After examining them all, carefully calculating combinations like coconut almond and banana chocolate chip, I whittled it down to peanut butter fudge cake or peanut butter mousse. I went with the peanut butter mousse. My friend decided on another mousse concoction, white chocolate, which turned out to be a popular choice. With one piece left and a line forming in front of it, she had to move quickly. She made her selection and anxiously watched the barrista juggle incoming coffee orders with his cake slicing duties. We both breathed a sigh of relief when our waitress delivered our sought after desserts with the requisite whipped cream garnish. The peanut butter mousse was everything I hoped and more. The richly decadent treat starts with a base of chocolate cake, which is topped with a generously thick layer of peanut butter mousse and covered in chocolate ganache. Due to the extreme intensity of chocolate and peanut butter, only the truest peanut butter fans should attempt this dessert. The white chocolate mousse is a lighter alternative with more mass appeal. My friend compared it to wedding cake – the good kind. I took a taste and agreed. The deliciously moist cake has a thin layer of raspberry in the center and it represents a special occasion all in itself. And that, after all, is why we go to Café Intermezzo – to make any everyday meal a special one. Café Intermezzo is located at 1845 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309; and at Park Place in Dunwoody, across from Perimeter Mall. For more information, call (404) 355-0411 or visit www.cafeintermezzo.com. |
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| Above: Various items from Cafe Intermezzo. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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