Frog Family Foodie Review: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk Hollywood

by Mommy Frog on February 8, 2023 Los Angeles

Summary

Our entire Frog Family just melts at the thought of tasting some delectable chocolate! We couldn't be more frogcited that the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen finally arrived at Universal CityWalk Hollywood! As of Jan. 27, 2023, the Emporium opened its doors. Built using inspiration from the cutting-edge era of industrialization and machine-powered production, the restaurant resembles a frogtastical chocolate factory! Guests can enjoy a carefully crafted savory meal or small dish, as well as various sweets and treats (infused with cacao, of course!). Read on for our full froggy review!

Frog Family Foodie Review: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen at Universal CityWalk Hollywood

Overview of Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

Located just near the 5 Towers Stage, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen is a table-service restaurant at the heart of Universal CityWalk Hollywood. The restaurant is the second location of the franchise (with the first in Universal CityWalk Orlando) and merges elements of the Victorian Steampunk era and whimsical, Willy Wonka-esque chocolate manufacturing styles to create a ribbeting menu. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the week, closing at 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Toothsome offers a variety of savory, scrumptious meals and libations, but focuses most of its attention on providing visitors with the sweetest experience possible! Its founders — the restaurant's featured characters — regularly walk through the restaurant to help guests figure out which specialty milkshakes and desserts are right for them.

Aside from its industrial decor (consisting of turning gears, contraptions, steam-powered machines, projections and more), Toothsome contains a gift shop! It sells everything from steampunk art pieces and T-shirts to mouthwatering pastries and macarons to take home. Reservations for this eatery can be made online via the Universal Studios Hollywood website. The restaurant can be accessed via the same parking lots used for the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

The gift shop features all kinds of delectable treats, and even figures made of caramel and chocolate!

Characters at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

While visiting, guests are immersed in the steampunk world of Professor Dr. Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome and her robot friend, Jacques. The eatery's menu outlines the story of Professor Penelope Toothsome and her inspiration behind building her chocolate empire. Returning home after one of her adventures, her family had disappeared, leaving behind a note explaining they too had gone to find adventure and will search for her "wherever chocolate can be found."

She continues in her efforts to create the best chocolate emporium the world has ever seen, in hopes of reuniting with her family one day. Jacques and Penelope walk through the restaurant throughout the day, greeting their beloved guests and telling tales of their chocolate-filled discoveries and journeys across the globe. Guests are more likely to spot them if celebrating a special occasion at the restaurant. They even have a special birthday song prepared! Be sure to ask your waiter about this in advance.

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen Menu

Toothsome offers a diverse savory menu, featuring dishes from soups and salads to burgers and short ribs. The perfect option for guests with less of a sweet tooth, the main portion of Toothsome's menu includes regular eats, as well as chocolate-inspired and plant-based options. Dishes are categorized into appetizers, soups and salads, sandwiches, hamburgers and entrees. In addition to the many desserts and sweets available, spirits, crafted cocktails, beer and wine can also be ordered. The eatery also provides plenty of vegan (V), vegetarian (VG) and gluten-safe (GS) options for guests.

The menu selection includes the following:

Appetizers

Chocolate Almond Bread (VG)
Avocado Bruschetta (VG)
Pork Belly Sliders
Truffle Fries (VG, GS)
Kettle Chip Nachos (GS)
Crab & Artichoke Dip
Roasted Brussels Sprouts (VG)
Coffee and Chocolate Stout Chicken Wings

Salads and Soup

Waldorf Chicken Salad
Toothsome Nicoise
Sedona BBQ Chicken
Another Caesar Salad
French Onion Soup

Sandwiches

Red Reuben
Southern Fried Chicken BLT
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Fork and Knife Grilled Rib Eye Steak Sandwich
Croque Monsieur
Vegetable Press (VG)

Hamburgers

Tour de France
Crispy Prosciutto
May Contain Bacon
Cheddar Bacon
Pub it Up
Beyond Burger (V)
Brisket Burger

Entrees

Chicken Bercy
Braised Short Rib
Grilled Teriyaki Salmon
Brisket and Wild Mushroom Meatloaf
Toothsome Signature Beef Tenderloin
Chicken Bourguignon
Cocoa Pork Tenderloin

Kids Menu

Chicken Fingers
Mini Cheeseburgers
Waffle
Chicken with Rice
Marinara Garganelli (VG)

Milkshakes

Red Velvet (VG)
Cookie Jar (VG)
Espresso Buzzzz (VG)
Key Lime Pie (VG)
Thrilla In Vanilla (VG)
Heavenly Hazelnut (VG)
Confetti (VG)
Marshmallow Crisp
Strawberry Cheesecake (VG)
Chocolate x5 (VG)
That's Mint (VG)
Pineapple Upside Down (V)

We especially loved the Key Lime Pie shake, as well as the other vegan and vegetarian shakes and dessert options!

Desserts

Brookies, Cookies & Cream Sundae (VG)
Apple Pie Sundae (VG)
Banana Cream Pie Sundae (VG)
Strawberry Shortcake Sundae (VG)
May Contain Nuts Sundae (VG)
Chocolate Brownie Bark Sundae (VG)
Birthday Cake Sundae (VG)
S'mores Sundae
Chocolate Crème Brûlée (VG)
Classic French Chocolate Mousse (VG)
Chocolate Cream Pie (VG)
Chocolate Potted Cream (VG)
Flourless Chocolate Gooey Cake (VG)
Triple Chocolate Bread Pudding (VG)

Drinks (containing alcohol)

Root Beer Old Fashioned
Chocolate Old Fashioned
Sugar Cookie Soda
Spresso 'Tini
Chocolate Coffee Banana
Vanilla Chocolate Cocktail
Jacque's Manhattan
Cacao Nut Margarita
Cocoa Clouds
PB Cup Old Fashioned
Candy Smith's Sweet Tooth
Assorted draught beers
Assorted bottled beers
Assorted spirits
Assorted wine

If you're an adult frog, don't froget to order a crafted libation! I especially enjoyed the PB Cup Old Fashioned, as it carried just the right amount of bitter and sweet flavors.

Without a doubt, the Emporium provides a refreshingly different and family-friendly approach to serving traditional meals (and a particularly sweet one at that!) Toothsome's wide selection of appetizing dishes and desserts blend together seamlessly with its creative theme. Wholesome character interactions and unique chocolate souvenirs are just the icing on the cake!

Our Final Thoughts on Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

All chocolate lovers, including our frog squad, will leave the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen satisfied! We thoroughly enjoyed this captivating dining experience. This eatery does a spectacular job of combining the intrepid, steampunk spirit of the Victorian era with the best the culinary world has to offer, all with a cherry on top! Speaking with Jacques about his specialty milkshake creations, especially his plant-based options, was an absolute blast.

As the location is new, its crowd levels are still fluctuating. However, it's important to note that the restaurant opens after Universal Studios Hollywood. Guests who want to maximize their time at the park during their visit should attempt to visit the restaurant near the end of the day (or late on weekends after the park closes). Regardless, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen is a must-try spot for sci-fi fans, foodies and families alike.