A couple of weeks ago, the text came in out of the blue:

“Dubai Bar?”

Now, a little perspective is in order here. I get asked random questions all of the time. Fairly regularly. One time a few years back, I was sitting in a hotel room at Walt Disney World when a text came in that said only “Pink House?”

My response then was “I enjoy it. Whenever I can, I love sitting downstairs in Planter’s Tavern.”

That was the December morning some time ago that the Pink House experienced a devastating fire. Clearly, I had no idea.

This time, the text only said “Dubai Bar?”

Again, my response was fairly straight forward “Haven’t been there yet, where is it?”

Of course, I thought I was being asked about a new bar whose opening I had missed in Savannah. No, I was being asked about a chocolate bar. Apparently, however, not just any chocolate bar. This was clearly a big deal.

It seems that a chocolate bar that originated in Dubai has made its way around the world enjoying worldwide ‘viral’ fame thanks to social media. What makes it so special? Good question. I threw it a google and got this:

“The chocolate bar is typically filled with a sweet, crunchy pistachio filling, made with toasted kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry) and pistachio cream. This combination, inspired by the Middle Eastern dessert knafeh, is a novelty for many and adds a unique flavor dimension”

Fair enough. Not only had I never tried it, until I got that text and did some digging, I’d never heard of it.

As it would turn out, last Thursday while attending the Harvest Awards at the St Augustine Food and Wine Festival, one of our entries was a version of the Dubai Chocolate. This was made into a torte. Technically, it was the first time I’d tried it. It was (pictured below) exceptional…and a runaway winner for best dessert at that event.

Upon my return, I made my way to Chocolat by Adam Turoni, Savannah’s World Class Artisan Chocolate shop to give his interpretation a try. Wrapped in gold foil, it felt like I had won one of Willy Wonka’s Golden Tickets.

I got it home and opened it up. Upon breaking off a piece I saw a pistachio puree inside. Not just a pistachio puree, but a puree of pistachio and phyllo. The flavors (other than chocolate of course) were in the filling. A ever so slight crunch mixed with creamy filling. All of that enveloped in Adam’s signature milk chocolate and I had a home run on my hands. And all over my fingers, too.

Simply delicious.

It’s a large bar. Dare I say a bit heavy for a chocolate bar, but it is most certainly not intended to be eaten in one sitting. I did not. But I did give it some thought. You know me…

No, instead I’m saving it the rest for the weekend, where I will sit and stare out the window wondering if anyone will actually ever open a cocktail bar here in town and call it the “Dubai Bar”

I think I’d be entitled to a finders fee with that one.

You can find Adam Turoni’s Dubai Bar at their Library Location on Bull Street near Chippewa Square while their supplies last. I suspect they might go fairly quickly. Take a ride down there…and Eat It and Like It.

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