The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen opened on Universal CityWalk Hollywood on Jan. 27, adding a third location to Beijing and Orlando sites. But the Emporium is far more than a simple restaurant: all three locations are known for their over-the-top desserts and unique atmosphere. Considering the new addition of Nintendo World to Universal Hollywood, it seems Universal and the CityWalk have entered a new age of attractions.

The two-story building has three entrances, one for each part of the restaurant. Besides the main entrance, there is a separate entrance for Candy Smith, the expansive gift shop, and The Dessert Foundry, which sells milkshakes and ice cream sundaes. The Foundry offers a startling thirteen different milkshakes, each incredibly large with toppings that include an entire cookie, cupcake or brownie. 

The restaurant itself has an extensive menu serving a variety of foods, from crepes for brunch to gourmet burgers for dinner. While the establishment is known for its extravagant desserts, almost every item on the menu is over-the-top in portion size.

The interior is steampunk-themed with lots of small details like vintage maps, exposed piping and hot-air balloon and plague doctor motifs. Upbeat 1920’s jazz and swinger music playing throughout the building add to the restaurant’s atmosphere. In keeping with this, employees wear individualized old-timey outfits, featuring bowler hats, steampunk glasses,  brown leather vests, black leather gloves, black gothic collars or ties and white billowy shirts.

Specific motifs that persist throughout the decorations also add to the steampunk feel of the place. Seemingly inspired by the works of Jules Verne, a novelist known for Around the World in Eighty Days and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, there are many artistic renderings of hot air balloons, submarines and sea creatures throughout all three parts of the building.

Meanwhile, Candy Smith, the attached store, sells a wide variety of candy and collectibles. Along the edge of the store, there is a large glass case containing sweets such as cookies, marshmallows and truffles. The store itself sells a variety of jewelry, hats, shirts, glasses and, of course, candy, including a large display of cotton candy and a wall of scoopable candy. Pre-packaged candy is primarily in apothecary-themed packaging, matching the aesthetic of the restaurant perfectly.

Overall, the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium is a delightful new addition to the Universal CityWalk with its heavily decorated interior, Willy Wonka-style exterior and overall attraction-like atmosphere. The building on its own creates a sense of awe in those who see it,  but the excitement does not end upon going inside. As a replacement for the Hard Rock Cafe, a previous staple of the CityWalk, the restaurant truly fills the shoes of its predecessor.