Retro Dessert Classics

By Allison Austin Scheff

Most Bodacious Bananas Foster:Bananas Foster at Luau Polynesian Lounge ($7.50)
This version of the classic slips past the competition with the addition of lemon and orange juices to the sauce, plus there’s a choice of vanilla or coconut ice cream. (Coconut. No contest.) Finish-flamed at the table with 151 rum.

Best Dessert Fit for Royalty: Cherries jubilee at El Gaucho ($9)

Reportedly created for Queen Victoria’s jubilee by Escoffier, this rendition of the flamed-tableside dessert is made with Bing cherries, a sweet-tart sauce of brandy, triple sec, orange curaçao, sugar and lemon, all spooned over vanilla ice cream.

Best Deconstructed Apple Pie: Hot apple pie at Metropolitan Grill ($18.95)

Served in gargantuan portions, this hot apple pie starts with crisp Granny Smith slices, expertly flambéed tableside with butter, brown sugar, booze and spices, then poured over vanilla ice cream, a cookie “crust,” and drenched with caramel. Yowza.

Most Dramatic Pyrotechnical Display: Emerald City Volcano (baked Alaska) at Waterfront Seafood Grill ($25)

Only served after sunset, the Emerald City Volcano lights up the dining room like a blue-ribbon science experiment. Molded around chocolate–Grand Marnier ice cream, the meringue “explodes” and sparkles on its tableside tray, thanks to flaming cherry brandy expertly drizzled from above.

I remember that these were once called ‘cootie-catchers.’ essay topics

Posted By adam holmes July 28, 2010 | 2:05 AM Report this Comment

I was excited to try to make a better tasting version of Oreos, Hostess cupcakes, black and white cookies, etc. The oreos came out great, there is certainly a mistake in the amount of liquid needed for the batter for the black and white cookies, and the cupcakes came out totally flat and stuck to the pan! After double checking amounts and technique, redoing the whole thing they are still a mess! I would return this in a minute if it was that easy! A lot of cuteness, but very difficult and inaccu

Posted By joye March 22, 2010 | 7:37 AM Report this Comment

I super love apple pie at Metropolitan. That's my ultimate favorite. While studying, it'll be my snack. My brother loves it too. He's planning to feature this in his research paper for dessert in his class. Thanks for posting this lovable food!

Posted By meganmann February 14, 2010 | 9:56 PM Report this Comment

Wow - how could you miss the S'Mores dessert at BOKA (1st and Madison). It's so popular they can't EVER take it off the menu. It starts with graham cracker ice cream, topped by a fresh homemade and just toasted marshmallow...and then you add your own fudge sauce. It's to die for.

Posted By SRaney November 01, 2008 | 5:35 PM Report this Comment

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