Late Night Rum Desserts at B&O Espresso

Rumballs
photo by Sheila Farahani

A Seattle favorite, B&O Espresso, brings the love with a couple of rum desserts match-made in heaven...or at least Capitol Hill. Need I mention today is Valentine's Day? Attraction, sensuality, rum, desire, rum, lust and rum are all words that come to mind. I will try to recapture in words what my senses revealed on my visit. It's a late, stormy, Sunday night and I am quietly enjoying a cappuccino at the oldest espresso serving, dessert cafe in the neighborhood. I glance up to look around and the dessert menu notices me. I pause, smile, and slowly ogle back, noticing a few attributes I wouldn't mind having my way with. Scanning from top down, I like what I see. Dark skinned, well dressed and not to expensive finds me curious. I might fancy trying something new tonight. Caution to readers, this affair may be more than a one-nighter. The first dessert starts with Rum!


Black Muddy River Cake

A slice of Black Muddy River is my first choice. Listed first under the Darker Chocolate section, this succulent delicacy is composed of a "bittersweet chocolate mousse with espresso, rum and a hint of orange on a genoise layer." To my delight the slice appears horizontal with a side of whipped cream, decorated by a European style chocolate swirl stick (see photo). The slice is outlined by an eloquently thin chocolate coat over its top and side. In regards to its name, the textured surface of the mousse takes an appearance of a dirty river. A river of rum that I must plunge into. I take my first bite confessing a flavorful, rich cocoa mousse. The homogeneous texture of the mousse is perfect. It creates a silky blanket for my mouth bite after bite. The mousse releases notes of Grand Marnier liqueur balanced with very subtle hints of Myers's Rum. The base is a thicker yet sponge-like contrast to the mousse. A most dangerous dessert indeed. If one slice isn't enough, you can order a whole cake. Awesome!

Rumballs
photo by Sheila Farahani

These Rumballs are captivating and a solid dessert choice, literally. Their size may make some men uncomfortable. But size is no matter here and actually is a bit deceiving for those who give it a go. The menu describes them as, "cake soaked with Myer's Dark Rum--dipped in ganache." I respectfully disagree. The Rumball's interior cake is not "soaked" but may be judged as dense and supersaturated, pursuant to the creation of a great rumball! The ganache coating not only adds another dimension of flavor but makes for a pleasing appearance. These Rumballs at least live up to the classic rum dessert if not exceed it in sheer mass. For most people, a single Rumball is enough to satisfy. Just going for dessert and drinks? Rumballs pair perfectly with a hot espresso beverage or espresso cocktail...rum-based of course.

The Rum Collective would like to thank B&O Espresso for their dedication to quality rum-based desserts!

Holiday Rum Treats at Cupcake Royale



Cupcake Royale's Rumball Cupcakes

Rum cakes and Rum balls are classic, but have you tried Rumball cupcakes? Seattle's Cupcake Royale does it right with this rum-based holiday treat. Upon first glance this composite appears to have three individual parts, consisting of a blanket of chopped walnuts embedded on a chocolate frosting coated crown supported by its chocolate cake base. Cupcake Royale will have you know they "bake their cupcakes from scratch every day with only the finest local, seasonal ingredients" Want to watch your cupcakes in their formative hours? Go to the back of the store (Capitol Hill) and view the bakers and cupcake makers! Quality ingredients are key to any tasty product. My first bite reveals a rich, silky chocolate frosting with notes of rum. I learn Myers's Original Dark Rum, a Jamaican rum made from molasses, is used and it holds up well in this decadence. The walnuts, which are candied add a nice textural balance to the soft and moist cupcake below the frosting. In addition to the regular size, they have a mini version...bite-size, oh yeah! (tip: if you like more rum flavor, order the regular size) I can't help but recommend them for breakfast with a glass of cold milk as I did this morning.

The Rum Collective thanks Cupcake Royale for making this holiday season taste even better!