The Hidden Gem.

Date: 09/02/10

Venue: Centro Cafe
           11-13 Lam Son Square, D.1

After last week's Java debacle, it was with some trepidation that CT headed off this week but, nonetheless, head off we did to the lesser known Centro Cafe. 

Nestled in a small courtyard next to Saigon's Caravelle hotel,  this secluded coffee shop is very easily missed - even by the most discerning cheesecake connoisseur as evidenced by the fact that none of the visiting CT testers had previously visited the establishment.

Battling through busy streets all buzzing with throngs of Honda Waves bustling for an early view of the brightly-coloured, illuminated Tet decorations on Nguyen Hue, Le Loi and Dong Khoi provided an extra challenge in the pursuit of cheesecake but finally the CT team all gathered in the tranquil atmosphere that Centro cafe promotes.  The cafe itself was empty, with shop assisants vastly outnumbering customers as is usual in Vietnam; another fact that instilled a niggling sense of foreboding in CT members - after so many recent successes were we about to encounter a devastating loss?

The chilled dessert counter boasted a number of delicious looking delicacies with 3 cheesecakes on the menu, however the depleted numbers of testers (work meetings and family sickness taking precedence over cheesecake for some members this week) means that only one variety of cheesecake was tested, the invitingly named 'Creamy Cookie Cheesecake'.  So how did it fare?

Consistency: Divinely light and creamy with a soft crumbly texture.  This cheesecake truly melts in the mouth. The filling is interspersed with large and crunchy cookie chunks, providing a delightful contrast of textures.

Base: Wow! For once the base is as good as the filling, consisting of a thick chocolate cookie base. This base has retained a fabulous crunchy texture, making a change from the sometimes soggy biscuit layer of other cheesecakes.

Presentation:  This cake has a gorgeous golden brown baked crust on top giving it a homebaked, rather than mass produced look.  Homely and comforting.

Taste: Zesty but not overpowering.  Definitely lives up to the name 'Creamy Cookies' and left all testers wanting more, rather than being too sickly or heavy.  Good work, Centro!

Verdict: Please, Sir, can I have some more?

An unexpected 9/10.