Balkan Ekspres

But The Commons remains uncommon. Because it’s not sufficient to open something new and clutter it with fancy-sounding offerings that exhibit great creativity in naming products but woefully lack implementation. For example, Moo Moo’s, a milkshake bar in Oxford’s historic Covered Market, has queues meandering for their 100 different milkshakes and smoothies. Bewildering variety but facile: It’s so easy to throw biscuits, chocolates, brownie etc etc into a blender with ice cream.

The Commons differs. Because Kishani, the imagination behind the creations, and her diligent team not only conceive exciting concoctions but, more significantly, they ensure precision of proportions and distinct identities. I mean, the Coffee Bar has 30 entries and the milkshakes make a dozen (including new additions like Amaretto) but it’s not different names, same taste! Kishani’s drinks are also varietally textured from Iced Choco Latte which feels like silken ribbons in your mouth to the Hazelnut Choc Crunch’s crisp crunch (not that dreadful soggy crunch…). And then there is crumbly Cookie Nut Frap (cookies, nuts, coffee). I have been to The Commons three times in four days and it has amazed me each time. I still wonder if my favourite is the funky, chunky Choc Chip Fudge Frap or their dense signature Double Chocolate milkshake which is decadence incarnate and perhaps even the best milkshake I’ve ever had.

Tasty Kitchen Erika emailed me last week asking if I’d seen this Chocolate Hazelnut Cake recently submitted by Sabrina ( Eatdrinkandbemerry ). She said she thought of me. I don’t know why. Why would I like chocolate, and sugar, and butter, and hazelnuts, and Nutella, and peace, and love, and all things good? Hmmm. I don’t get it?

Anyway, I decided to go ahead and make it, ya know, since she twisted my arm and everything. That Erika is one smart cookie, and knows a good cake when she sees one. And this—this is one good cake. One marvelously good cake. Sabrina describes it as tasting like a Ferrero Rocher chocolate, and she’s right on. The super moist, chocolatey cake is topped with a Nutella and mascarpone whipped cream, with a creamy Nutella and whipped cream center. Whoa.

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