Xooro
Published by foodette October 28th, 2008 in Bakery, Dessert, Los Angeles, Restaurant Reviews, Santa Monica.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you took a Krispy Creme donut, filled it with the frosting off of a cupcake, and put it in a Pinkberry shop? Perhaps a recipe for the next big trend? Or maybe another four-dollar extra that Americans can’t afford these days?
I am talking about Xorro, a brightly-lit, over-priced fritter shop on Santa Monica’s Promenade. The concept is perfect for about two years ago: take a deep-fried pastry, fill it with butter cream, cover it with more icing, and sell it for $4. Meanwhile, make sure to create the all-illusive atmosphere, with bright colors, lots of lighting, in a sparingly decorated space. Don’t forget to put it in a high foot-traffic/extra-touristy area, include an impossible to pronounce name, and - voila! The next Pinkberry.
Of course, the fact that Americans are cutting back on their beloved lattes is not going to help this business plan these days. But, that didn’t stop me. I was lured in by the idea of eating an extra-fancy, extra-expensive Xooro (by the way, this is supposedly pronouced Shorro, but I think it really was actually a Churro).
The Xooros come in many different flavors, ranging from original (your typical churro, but filled with frosting), to dulce de leche, to the one I ordered: cappuccino. In addition, you can get your favorite caffeinated beverage, or a hot chocolate. Because I was in the mood for a sugar overload, I also ordered a Mexican hot chocolate.
I actually did enjoy my Xooro. It was very sweet, due to the fact that it was covered in icing and a cappuccino syrup, and filled with frosting, and was a fried donut and all. But, it was hot, fresh, and completely different in comparison to other desserts I have had. I wasn’t as big of a fan of the Mexican hot chocolate. It wasn’t bad, but I could tell that they used cinnamon syrup, kind of like what you get in a cinnamon latte at Starbucks. I am just not a fan of that stuff. Why not just use good ole cinnamon? If it had had regular cinnamon, instead of the syrup, it would have been delicious. The hot chocolate itself was creamy and rich.
This was a fun dessert - something different for the end of the day. But, for eight dollars total? I’m not sure it was really worth it. I shared both the Xooro and the drink with the husband, which was fine because it really was probably too much sugar for one person. But, if you go on a date, and leave having spent $16 - $18, well, it just seems very overpriced for what it is. Despite the fact that it’s innovative, I really don’t see this lasting. Not in today’s economy.
Sorry, Xooro. I hope you can prove me wrong.
Xoororent a car bulgaria is located at the Promenade at 125 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Phone: 310-260-2919
Interesting! The only other similar dessert I have had when in London was Beardpapa’s Cream Puffs. I thought that was a English chain, but then found one in downtown San Francisco.
Oh yea, I think there’s a Beardpapa here in LA, too. But, I think this was a little different, though I am sure just as many calories!