Death by Chocolate

Pix Patisserie
3901 N Williams Ave
Portland, OR 97227
503.282.6539

Erin: Upon returning home from my trip south Erik and I spent a nice quiet evening at Pix Patisserie. Just kidding. It wasn't quiet. Ashley and Noah joined us for an all night get out of town shake your ass birthday party. I of course ordered the Amelie- winner of the Patis France Chocolate Competition. Vanilla crème brûlée on top of glazed chocolate mousse with caramelized hazelnuts. Another dessert I really enjoy at Pix is Aphrodite- goddess of love. It's always a great choice.
I was originally introduced to Pix Patisserie by a chef friend of mine. He took me there, poked his nose around in the back kitchen for a while and told me that all of the chocolates were hand painted. He was really impressed so I don't know why you wouldn't be.
However, I do have one complaint about Pix. There is no death by chocolate. I am a girl who needs a real chocolate fix now and again. Pix is not the place for such fixes. They serve what I would describe as very well thought out dessert creations. If you want something horribly dark and fudgey that makes your limbs shake and your body plunge into a diabetic shock you will not find it here. Go to Applebees and order the molten lava chocolate cake. Or better yet just hold your head under the chocolate fountain at your best friend upcoming wedding. Pix is only serving the finest quality desserts. There is always a perfect balance of sweet and not sweet, smooth and crunchy, rich and beautiful.
Erik: It was a birthday party times two and the party was for Ashley and Erin.  We went to Pix for dessert and it was MY IDEA.  It is really weird when you walk in because there is a counter but apparently you aren't supposed to order at the counter. You're supposed to look at the items in the case and decide what you want then go sit down then the waitress brings you a menu and you look at that too and then you order. Weird right?  Not something I can't handle though, at least not after the first 1-2 times.  I'm not a big dessert guy, but the desserts here are pretty good. One time my parents brought me home an apple almond thing from this place and it was MAD THE BOMB. It was encrusted on the outside with almond slices like a dang armadillo. Apples and almonds are a great combination.  Chocolate is not as good, but it's ok. At the birthday thing that we're supposed to be talking about here I ordered the Menage-a-trois. Knew immediately I wanted it because of the name.  It was legit. I "paired it" as they say, with a chocolate stout. Double chocolate YUM.   Hppy Bifday you guys!!!!

Location

23 Hoyt
529 NW 23 and Hoyt
Portland, Oregon 97210
503.445.7400

Erin: If I were to compare this restaurant to an old boyfriend it would have to be Andrew. Andrew was great. He was beautiful, gave me a plant for my birthday and he silently counted all the sports he played on his fingers while no one was looking. I loved him (kind of). One night he told me he didn't want to see me anymore. It broke my heart. I cried. I tried to change his mind. I think I begged? Then I feigned ill. I fell over and told him I was dizzy and didn't feel well. He left. Then I ate a bunch of ice cream and started dating his friend Erik.
Much like Andrew- 23 Hoyt gave much and took little in return. The happy hour we partook of was inexpensive and filling. 23 Hoyt was beautifully decorated and meticulously located (I mean imagine if 23 Hoyt was located on 11th and Couch). The food was great. All the waitresses were attentive and the water glasses were never empty. My 23Hoyt Burger was delicious and the onion rings were awesome. As I felt our time was nearing an end I ordered squash raviolis just to push back the inevitable. The brown butter and sage sauce that I'm usually crazy about was good but not great. That's when I knew our time had run it's course. When we finally left I did feel dizzy and my stomach definitely hurt. Probably from all of the fried food. I will, however, always look back on those tempura mushrooms with fondness. Those were the good times. Mmmm. Yum. Ponzu sauce.
Lucky for me Moonstruck Chocolate Cafe was located just across the street. I was able to move on like every other warm blooded woman in this world- with chocolate. Maybe 23 Hoyt has a best friend....