hoF is a small place on Sinan Road, right of Middle Huaihai Road and nestled between a throng of other expat-oriented restaurants and shops. Brian Tan was behind the counter calmly overseeing the barely lit dessert and cocktail lounge and greeting regular patrons with a neighborly "hello." There is a small display case featuring pre-cut portions of desserts, expensive chocolates, truffles, and gelato on one side with a seating area on the other, crammed with people.
The most popular item in the display case recommended by several people surrounding the dessert bar is the Orange Mud Cake with Caramel and Sea Salt (36rmb). It is a simple, moist chocolate cake with hints of orange with a thick layer of caramel on top sprinkled with coarse sea salt and bits of candied orange rind. The orange flavor is not overwhelming, but enhances the chocolate. The sea salt brings out the flavor of the caramel by countering the sweetness.
The Chocolate Caramel Mousse cake (35rmb) had different layers of cake, mousse, and a particularly thick caramel. As a caramel fan, I preferred this cake because the flavor was varied depending on how you cut into the layers with your fork.
The Chocolate Sinan Lu was revealed to be a dense chocolate cake baked in a ramekin with a lovely cherry flavor. On top was a large dollop of what seemed to be marscapone. This specialty plated dessert is only exciting if you want a simple chocolate cake.
The Italian hot chocolate was so thick that it hung onto the spoon. It was not served piping hot as you would get from the hot chocolate in Spain that accompanies the churros at Valor, but was not too sweet and had a subtle hint of chocolate bitterness. The hot chocolate was better consumed with a spoon than sipping since its cooled temperature caused the hot chocolate to solidify.
The desserts were surprisingly reasonably priced, especially in relation to the decor of the place, which usually dictates price in China. This should be the dessert spot to visit in Shanghai.
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