Decadence in Moderation: Bailey's Chocolate Bar

If you've never been to Bailey's Chocolate Bar in Lafayette, MO, then you are missing out on a delicious bit of decadence, and you must, must drag yourself there immediately. After reading this blogpost, get into your car and drive to the Chocolate Bar post haste because it closes at 1:00 a.m.

The Chocolate Bar is a full bar and restaurant that has all things chocolate and everything seems lathered in decadence, served in perfect ambiance. Chandeliers, candles, and walls painted deep-red create an intimate setting for two, but you can also bring the kids or your rowdy bunch of friends for a birthday-celeb happy hour wrapped in chocolate (we saw all three scenarios when the sister and I went today).

Although the Bar serves regular food fare, why would you want to eat the normal stuff when you can have the normal stuff served with chocolate?! This is the sort of place where you go eat here and then diet for the next week, or diet first for an entire week, starve yourself all day, then head to the Chocolate Bar during happy hour (4-7pm everyday!).

Tumble Cake ($9)

Baked Brie ($8)

Under Plated Desserts, you will find the Tumble Cake:  Rasberry & Lemon Filling, Vanilla Shortbread Cookies, Quenelles of Vanilla Ice Cream, & Rasberry Sorbet ($9). I've seen individuals lick this entire plate clean, however, I find it too rich and creamy (especially if you inhale all the raspberry sorbet within 5 seconds of the server putting down the plate), so I shared it with my sister.

There are also other options:  Layers of Chocolate Cake Accented with Chocolate Stout, Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache, and Cinnamon Ice Cream ($9). Or, if it's a romantic evening for you plus one, then go for the Lover’s Plate – Aphrodisiacs – Taste for Two: Cherry Chocolate Mousse, Spicy Truffle, Fruit Truffle, Dark Chocolate Espresso Truffle, Carmelized Banana, Strawberries, Nuts, Mead, all served with a Warm Spiced Dark Chocolate Sauce & a Warm White Chocolate Lavender Sauce for Dipping & Sharing ($20).

Or, if you've courage (and fasted for a sufficient amount of time before entering the Bar) and would like to try some ice cream desserts, then you might try Bailey's Banana Split: Caramelized Banana, Bailey’s, Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Creams, Nuts, Housemade Chocolate and Caramel Sauces and Whipped Cream ($8).

Thin Mint Chocolate Martini ($8)

Perhaps by now you already feel like your heart valves are closing shut because of the cholesterol and the fat from all these sugars and chocolate. Maybe you'd like to balance your sweet palette with some fine cheeses? Well, you are invited to mix and match from three different categories (some samples from each category are as follows): Category A: Emmenthaler, Gjetost, Danish Blue, Maple Smoked White Cheddar, Port Salut. Category B (very eclectic international selections): Tomme de Savoie (France), Stilton (England), Antique Gruyere (Switzerland), Mahon (Spain), Old Amsterdam (Holland, aged gouda style, floral), Black Diamond Cheddar (Canada). Category C: P'Tit Basque (France), Rustico (Italy, pecorino-style sheep's milk with spice), Roquefort (France).

I am a glutton for brie, so we chose the Baked Brie from the Savory list. It was wrapped in mixed nuts, served with diced bacon, tangy green apples and toasted pita wedges ($8).

Under the Martinis section, you can select your choice of liquid dessert, served from the highest quality chocolate vodkas. We tried the Thin Mint ($8) which was served with a sweet little chocolate straw. Yum.

Perhaps you'd like chocolate beers? How about Young's Double Chocolate Stout (21 oz. @ $6), brewed with melted chocolate bars for a smooth, velvety finish. The Drinks Menu, my friends, continues for 10 pages. You will swoon. The sister and I sat for a long while brainstorming about a new online journal that she is launching, so we lounged, ate, drank, and absorbed the atmosphere. Families came and went, birthday groups sang birthday songs and took photos then left after eating their fill, and several couples arrived holding hands and slinking into darker corners... We sat there talking about journal names and taglines, and the server was decidedly patient and kind with us. This is a great place to bring friends from out of town. I enthusiastically recommend it!



Baileys' Chocolate Bar
1915 Park, In Lafayette Square
St. Louis, MO 63104
Monday - Saturday: 4pm - 1am
Sunday: 4pm - Midnight