Beijing

True to its name, The Sweet Spot by China World Mall offers some sugary options, especially helpful for those looking for something special to share on Valentine's Day this week.

Many would-be customers stop short by the door, wowed by the glass display cases that flank the entrance of this newly opened dessert shop at China World. Everything looks fresh and beautiful.

The displays include a set of mahjong tiles, almost exactly like the real thing, made from white chocolate and delicately detailed.

For those looking for a gift that suits the occasion, there is a beautiful heart-shaped strawberry and rose buttercream cake, with dazzling pink, orange, silver and gold hearts.

The ability to print in color on chocolate also lets the shop custom-make greeting cards for a sweet surprise for the recipients. You can order any special messages on the edible chocolate cards.

I have always thought the cheesecake at the China World Hotel to be the best I've tried in Beijing. That quality seems to have remained consistent at The Sweet Spot.

Besides classic cakes such as Black Forest and tiramisu, the cake shop offers some really innovative and interestingly shaped cakes: a zodiac chocolate truffle cake, a clock-shaped tea yuzu chocolate mousse, a very tempting mango cream sponge, and Belgian chocolate marquise shaped like two Hermes bags.

Sweet Spot has a few small tables and high chairs, so you can either take out and eat in. If you have time to sit down for a while, the coffee is highly recommended. There is an excellent barista who brews it on the spot.

If you work around the area, and are looking for a quick bite, there are also some savory and sweet choices for lunch such as freshly baked croissant, sausage rolls, chocolate croissant, praline cookies and sable Breton. These can be paired with a healthy glass of orange juice, iced tea, yoghurt with assorted nuts, or a hot cup of coffee.

Otherwise, try the shop's sandwiches, baguettes, panini, wraps and salads. Panini comes with different fillings such as beef and cheddar cheese, tuna and cheese, hummus and grilled vegetables. Salads, with chicken, duck or just vegetarian options, are served in a plastic tray, matched with a pancake roll and a little bottle of dressing.

Cupcakes and macaroons are both temptingly beautiful but are not cloyingly sweet. The staff says there are no additives in the cakes or bread here and many ingredients are imported.

A large coffee costs 28 yuan ($4.45). Cake slices are priced at 25 yuan each. For that kind of quality, in this part of the town, it is good value.

You may contact the writer at yejun@chinadaily.com.cn.

China Daily

(China Daily 02/12/2012 page13)