The Path Less Trodden: Spot Dessert Bar and Viktor & Spoils

By Christopher A. Pape

There comes along, ever so often, establishments that take the path less traveled and yet seem to still delight. Whether it is a specific theme, type of cuisine or some form of nontraditional food that is served – it does not mater – but what does, is the quality and care that is put into each dish. Below you will find two restaurants – in the loosest sense of the word – that will enthrall you with their offerings. Go and enjoy!

Spot Dessert Bar:

Surrounded by the enthralling and intoxicating scene of St. Mark’s, Spot is the perfect place for all- natural desserts and special drinks with an Asian twist. The “bar’s” selection of whimsical and fantastical treats is always made fresh and on premise. They use only the freshest and natural ingredients to create distinct and exotic flavors.

The inspiration for the establishment came from the realization that very few places in the United States serve American desserts with an Asian influence. With the help and guidance of consulting Asian pastry chef guru Ian Chalermkittichai, Spot offers fresh interpretations of desserts enjoyed from his childhood and his extensive travels.

On a recent visit there, a friend and I enjoyed their varied and plentiful desserts. We especially loved the Thai tea crème brulee made with flourless jasmine rice wafer and hot Thai tea. It has the technique of a great French dessert with the flavors of the Orient. Another dessert that juxtaposed East and West was the chocolate green tea lava cake. Made with green tea-white ganach and green tea ice cream was a true culinary revelation and was devoured as if we were ravenous wolves on the hunt for prey. But our favorite was the Yuzu Eskio made of blackberries, raspberry foam, chocolate pearls, oreo soil and chocolate ganache. It was tart from the berries, rich from the chocolate and had great texture from the oreo.

Viktor & Spoils:

From the team that brought us CO-OP Food & Drink (also reviewed in this edition along with a video component on resident.com) has also brought us Viktor & Spoils a tequila bar that is serving up interesting drinks and mouthwatering food. With its spicy cocktails and cantina vibe this hot spot is sure to prevail in the hearts and minds of all who visit.

Viktor & Spoils is a modern Mexican taqueria and tequila bar which serves classic and new style tacos alongside world-class tequila, mescal and cocktails. Here you will find a menu of tacos, taquitos, nachos and churros. My guest and I almost ate everything on the menu and thought it perfectly balanced with the strong spirits that accompanied the meal. One of our favorites was the lobster taquito with charred corn, lime mayo, Chili de Arbol Cotijia cheese and fresh lobster. It was the perfect representative of Viktor & Spoils because it was at once exotic, fresh, refreshing and full of flavor.