Mozart. Composer of Music and in this case, Desert.

I posted a few days ago about my adoration for Dominican Joe, a coffeeshop I frequent in Austin, for its casual atmosphere and its focus on helping the world community. My visit to Mozart's tonight, however, will give Dominican some competition for top-spot on my favorite Austin coffeeshop list. I have been to Mozart's before but tonight's particular ambiance made me
fall
in
love
with the place
all
over
again.
Located on Austin Boulevard and tucked quietly upon the shores of Lake Austin, Mozart's is a prime spot for watching the sun go down, coffee and desert or not. And that is exactly what I did. The outside deck, lined with friendly picnic tables reminiscent of days in the park as a child, overlooks Lake Austin and a small dock of boats. Large trees grow through spaces in the deck, providing a tranquil, natural environment. The sun sets perfectly behind the adjacent mountain and tonight it cast a yellow glow across the water. The turtles circled the lower deck, providing entertainment for the coffee-drinking onlookers. Like Dominican, the inside is earthy, wooden and tends to harbor students, busy typing away on their laptops. The tables are lit with small candles, creating an instant calming effect. It just feels like home. And the smell! Mozart's may take the top spot in the aroma category because, in addition to the empowering, deep smell of roasting coffee, the decadent desert case spreads its sweetness throughout the shop. The result is a chocolaty thickness in the air that is inescapable. Except, you don't want to escape. Quite the opposite, in fact. You find yourself wanting to dive, dive into that pastry case head first and never, ever leave. Since Mozart's doubles as a bakery, you can be quite sure that the deserts are worth the $5.95 it costs for a slice of something. Small individual Mixed Fruit Cheesecakes overflow with bright green kiwis, the bluest blueberries and crimson strawberries. Another towering chocolate cheesecake, the Fudge Brownie Cheesecake, is piled high with fudgy brownies, chocolate sauce and chocolate chips and is one of my favorites. And still there is more! Triple-layered German Chocolate, Chocolate Decadence and Carrot cakes, along with torts, tiramisu, brownies, cookies, pies and gelato. Oh, and did I mention that the coffee is strong and bold and delicious as well? So Dominican or Mozarts? It has yet to be decided. I think Mozarts takes the cake though for that late-night cheesecake craving though, no pun intended.

http://www.mozartscoffee.com/