Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Review – Universal CityWalk Orlando
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen opened in Orlando in Sept. 2016. Since opening, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen restaurant has served savory entrees, an all-day brunch menu, and extravagant desserts.
This original Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen entertains Universal Orlando Resort CityWalk dining and entertainment complex guests. This serves as one of many of Universal’s uniquely designed restaurant concepts at CityWalk. Our review will help guests decide if this popular restaurant is worth it!
Toothsome Chocolate Factory and Savory Feast Kitchen Popularity
Based on the popularity of the Orlando location, two other sites have opened at other Universal Destinations and Experiences locations. These new locations at Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk and Universal Beijing Resort built upon the success seen by the Orlando original location.
The Toothsome “brand” has entered a sporting arena to sell its decadent desserts. Located in the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a Toothsome Chocolate Emporium counter service operation runs. In addition, speculation and suspicious building permits led informed sources to see the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium franchise expanding to places like Colorado and maybe another California location.
During a recent visit to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, we enjoyed a limited-time entrée and one of the brunch menu items. Nevertheless, having visited Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen over 20 times, we have tried almost everything on the menu. This review will discuss why this place has become so popular at Universal Orlando Resort.
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Toothsome Chocolate Emporium – Early Days
When the NBA City Restaurant closed at Universal CityWalk Orlando, speculation grew about the new restaurant replacing it in that prime location. The former NBA City Restaurant sat near Hard Rock Café Orlando between Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure theme parks. This prime spot within easy walking distance of the two Universal Orlando Resort theme parks needed a signature property.
As happens regarding theme parks, speculation started about the restaurant replacing NBA City Restaurant. Initial rumors indicated a Cheesecake Factory coming to Universal Orlando Resort. This rumor gained traction despite the logical issue of such a sizeable third-party restaurant moving into Universal Orlando Resort with another Cheesecake factory location within a few miles of Universal Orlando Resort.
Then, the concept of a “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” restaurant became widespread speculation. As fate would have it, both pieces of speculation held some truth.
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen takes steampunk themes, lots of chocolate, and a vast menu like Cheesecake Factory to become a popular restaurant at Universal CityWalk Orlando. One of the unique structures within Universal CityWalk Orlando would be Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen building.
This steampunk-themed restaurant serves extravagant milkshakes, savory entrees, and some delectable appetizers leading to reservations often being a challenge to acquire.
Dining Reservations
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen has become the hardest dining reservation to acquire at Universal Orlando Resort. Though Mythos Restaurant makes another challenging reservation to obtain, Toothsome wins that contest.
Guests can make reservations online or by calling (407) 224-3663. Recently, Universal Orlando Resort added the ability to make a reservation via its mobile app. However, this system still needs to be fixed, so we recommend not using the mobile app for reservations.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Atmosphere
The exterior of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen tells a tale before guests enter. With smoke rising from the factory-looking façade, visitors learn this makes no ordinary table service dining option. The busy and stylish-looking façade introduces the guests to the steampunk setting.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen comes with a backstory. Penelope, the “owner,” and her trusted sidekick, Jacques, operate Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. According to the backstory, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker learned new and fascinating methods of infusing chocolate into the most extraordinary recipes. She made friends and received honors everywhere she went.
Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. She built The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, an enchanting 19th-century themed, steampunk-inspired dining establishment with a façade of towering smokestacks and an interior adorned with intriguing gadgets and gizmos.
Entering Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
As you enter Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen, you see a large bakery display case showing off the various delectable treats that can be purchased here on the right. Some Toothsome merchandise can also be seen in that area.
On the left, guests see the Confectionary or Foundry area. This walk-up counter sells all the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen desserts. With some limited indoor seating and more outdoor seating, guests can walk up to purchase the desserts designed by “Penelope” for all the world to enjoy.
If guests walk directly forward, they reach the check-in counter for table service dining. Past that would be the main indoor dining area. This dining area offers two levels with screens displaying the workings of the factory. On the second floor, a large bar area can be enjoyed in addition to more seating. Guests can use stairs or an elevator to reach the second floor.
Penelope and Jacques
Overall, the setting makes for a pleasant meal. Penelope and Jacques might come to visit you at your table. Penelope loves to talk about chocolate and her many expanding business ventures.
The theming creates the proper mood. Nevertheless, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen restaurant does not overwhelm guests with the theming.
Like a Cheesecake Factory restaurant, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen used to have one of the most extensive menus at any theme park resort restaurant. Since the early years, the menu has been reduced from the opening day though. The menu titles have simplified from opening months also.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Fest Kitchen adjusts its menu often. Menu items will rotate off and sometimes return. However, the brunch and dessert menus remain almost constant compared to the rest of the menu. Also of note, the bar menu offers a wide variety of options. Frequent visitors to Universal Orlando Resort speak highly of the bar and the beverages served there and at your table.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen Appetizers
As will be seen working through the menu, any excuse to use chocolate as an ingredient happens at Toothsome. For example, the popular “Warm Chocolate Almond Bread” makes an excellent way to start your meal. This appetizer costs $5. It comes with salted caramel butter.
Two other popular appetizers at Toothsome are the Totchos and the Roasted Brussels Sprouts. The Totchos ($10.95) provide comfort food goodness. They contain fried tater tots, spicy green chili, crispy pork belly, and andouille sausage queso.
The Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($8.95) earned being a fan favorite. We have friends that order this every trip. If the idea of having this vegetable at a restaurant known for desserts alarms you, we understand. Nevertheless, Toothsome Chocolate Factory and Savory Feast Kitchen chefs make these often-disliked vegetables taste good.
Potato Croquette ($8.95)
Earlier this year, we enjoyed a meal at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen that involved the Potato Croquette appetizer. The low price point, common here for appetizers, caught our eye. We received four croquettes with an interesting pattern of toppings. The menu description for this appetizer reads, “Stuffed with white cheddar and truffle oil, battered with panko, topped with vegetable succotash and fried pork belly served with a roasted garlic aioli.”
As well as bringing solid preparation, the croquettes offered a positive experience for the taste buds. The cheese within the croquette provided a surprising level of quality and flavor. The croquettes came with a light panko batter. They were not heavily fried, so they will not weigh you down before you enjoy a dessert here.
We suggest trying some appetizers at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. We know people come for desserts. Still, the savory options should not be overlooked. These savory menu items will not be the best food you have ever had. However, a quality appetizer for around $10 at a theme park resort restaurant provides value for your vacation budget.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen: Main Entrees
The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen restaurant offers flatbreads and some flavor-filled salads on its menu. Still, we suggest moving farther down the menu for your main course. For example, the sandwich section contains some solid options. We have eaten all the sandwiches currently listed on the menu.
We suggest trying one of the following if a sandwich sounds good to you during your theme park resort day:
Fork & Knife Grilled Rib Eye Steak Sandwich ($19.95)
This well-prepared sandwich comes with fries or kettle chips like all burgers and sandwiches here. This combination of sautéed onions, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, arugula, herb shallot aioli, and horseradish cheese work somehow. The toasted onion brioche bread might hold it together literally and from a flavor balance standpoint.
Southern Fried Chicken BLT ($16.95)
If you want a table service quality fried chicken sandwich, Toothsome has you covered. The crispy boneless chicken breast presents itself, avoiding dryness issues. Tomatoes, butter-bibb lettuce, bacon, and mustard aioli complement the chicken. Another good-tasting brioche bun holds it all together. Oh, did we mention bacon on a chicken sandwich with a side for $17 at a theme park resort?
Tuna Melt Madame ($15.95 or $14.95 without egg)
To our surprise, this tuna sandwich brings good flavor at another value for a theme park resort price. The Challah bread at Toothsome receives high marks. This combination of tuna, tomato, Gruyère cheese, spinach, red onion, cucumber, and a sunny-side-up egg creates an excellent lighter sandwich with the allusion of some actual nutrition included.
Burgers
At the time of writing, the burger menu includes the smallest number of burgers at Toothsome we have ever seen. However, our experience with the burgers here has been positive. We have no problem recommending any of the current options. Also, no burger entrée costs more than $20.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Significant Entrees
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen restaurant also serves more upscale entrees like pasta, steak, chicken, pork, and salmon. These options vary in level of quality. In this case, we have yet to try everything on this menu section. Still, we have the following suggestions for your visit to Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen.
Guests speak highly of the Wild Mushroom Chicken Risotto and the Gnocchi entrée that contains grilled chicken, sweet peppers, rapini, and mole cream sauce. The Chicken Bercy (boneless breast, white wine, demi glaze, lemon juice, shallots, butter, fresh herbs, asparagus, and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes) has developed a devoted fan base among frequent Universal Orlando Resort visitors.
Meatloaf at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
We cannot speak highly enough of the Brisket and Wild Mushroom Meatloaf ($20.95) from our dining experiences. This combination of roasted corn, crispy fried onions, mushroom gravy, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes, Bordelaise sauce, and, of course, the brisket brings a solid savory sensation to your taste buds. This meatloaf has become one of our favorite meals at Universal Orlando Resort when we want a hearty, good-tasting sit-down meal.
Brunch All Day at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
Yes, you can order brunch whenever at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen serves guests. The brunch menu contains waffles, crepes, French toast, and quiche. We have tasted everything on the current brunch menu except one of the quiches.
During a recent visit, we ordered the Bananas Foster Waffle ($11.95) at lunchtime on a weekday. This larger waffle comes topped with caramelized bananas, brown sugar, walnuts, rum, butter, whipped topping, and powdered sugar. Like the other waffle options at Toothsome, this waffle feeds your sweet tooth with a high-quality alternative.
However, this place earned a reputation for desserts. We want to avoid overloading with sugar before we even get to dessert. As a result, we recommend the startlingly good Patty Melt French Toast on the brunch menu.
Patty Melt French Toast ($14.95)
The savory Patty Melt French Toast does not need syrup, nor would we recommend using it with this brunch entrée. The Challah bread used provides a solid foundation for the rest of this brunch item. The half-pound house-made fresh hamburger patty stars in this show. When supported by a sunny-side-up egg, grilled pork belly, and cheddar cheese, this creates a taste sensation.
It also comes with Lyonnaise potatoes. In recent years, the quality of those potatoes has dropped, so you are aware.
Nevertheless, the Patty Melt French Toast presents a decent value and flavor. Also, it is savory enough for your tastebuds to be ready for dessert.
Did Someone Say Dessert?
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen offers more sweet treats than should be allowed. The photo-worthy milkshakes stand on center stage. Still, we recommend sundaes for two reasons. One, the sundaes are easier to share. Two, they cost less. Sure, you do not get the reusable plastic container. Yet, that plastic container is not dishwasher safe, so good luck with that.
Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Milkshakes
These extravagant milkshakes often function as two desserts in one. Depending on your milkshake choice, you might receive an entire slice of pie or cake, a cupcake, or a brownie on top. Though we have heard criticism of the quality of ice cream used at Toothsome, the flavor of these milkshakes shows off the intent of Penelope.
Sundaes
Though Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen offers fewer sundaes than milkshakes, we have our favorites. Yes, we have tried all the milkshakes and sundaes at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. Someone needs to try them, right?
Do not worry—we did not do that all-in-one day. We would not be foolish enough to try all the sweets at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen in one day. For the record, we did try everything at Voodoo Doughnut, also in CityWalk, all in one day. However, The Toothsome options would be beyond our dining abilities.
Are the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium Desserts Worth it?
The cakes and sundaes sold at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen bring good value. We once recall sharing a Banana Cream Pie among three people for dessert. By the way, the piece of banana cream placed in that sundae tasted great. We would buy just that pie without anything else. We consider the sundaes worth it. Remember that the walk-up counter sells all of these desserts.
The milkshakes present a more arduous evaluation. Are these milkshakes good? Yes, the Toothsome versions taste better directly compared to popular milkshakes over at Walt Disney World. Are they worth $16 on average? They are probably worth it. Yet, we cannot be as confident in that evaluation as opposed to our endorsement of the sundaes and other menu items at Toothsome in terms of value.
Summary of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen
From opening day at Universal CityWalk Orlando, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen attracted guests. People come to enjoy the milkshakes. People return for quality table service dining. You can find better food and beverages in the Orlando area. Still, like many Universal Orlando Resort-owned restaurants, the combination of value and quality causes guests to return.
As you should be able to tell, we love Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. Has every meal we have eaten there been a home run? We say no to that question. Have we had a higher percentage of delicious meals at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen than at any other theme park resort restaurant? To that question, we can respond positively. Even our two favorite Walt Disney World Resort restaurants sometimes disappoint us.
If you have decided to enjoy a Universal Orlando Resort vacation, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen makes an excellent dining reservation to have. Even if you choose not to dine here, swinging by for a sweet treat here always sounds like a good idea to us. We will let you decide if you want to share or not.
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