Sweet satisfaction

It was a dark time in Bloomington when both Jiffy Treet and Cold Stone Creamery abandoned their downtown locations, leaving Kirkwood Avenue devoid of any after-dinner desserts. And then, like a lifeboat for the poor lost souls yearning to satiate their sweet teeth, Blu Boy Cafe and Cakery sailed into town.

Nestled against the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, this dessert cafe radiates an intimate and quaint atmosphere. It houses only a couple of tables, but what Blu Boy lacks in size, it makes up for in taste.

Arriving at the cafe, I wasted no time ordering an array of what Blu Boy offers. To my right, huge chocolate-chip cookies sparkled with sprinkled sugar, and I knew they were calling out to me.

I also had to try the cafe's impressive collection of fancy chocolates. The extensive display was so dizzying that I enlisted the aid of an employee. "Fioria di Sicilia is my favorite type of chocolate -- it's an Italian flavoring that tastes like flowers," said junior Ashley Biggs.

And so along with the fioria, I bought a chocolate called "blood orange." My two other friends grabbed a cranberry-pomegranate tart and a gorgeous, multilayer slice of cake.

The three of us ducked into a corner of the cafe to devour our treats. The chocolate-chip cookie was everything you want in a cookie: crunchy outside, chewy inside and large, creamy chunks of chocolate chips spattered throughout. And at only $1.50, it was a steal.

And then, onto the chocolates! The blood orange had a bright blue pattern of circles and squares on it, just hinting at the mystery of what could be inside. It was infused with orange zest, creating a pleasant citrus taste. Though I enjoyed it, the flavor was slightly unexpected, having the potential to scare away finicky eaters. The second chocolate I tried, the fioria di Sicilia, transported me to a summer garden in Tuscany. Floral extract perfumed the air as the firm outside coating gave way to a lovely velvety filling. Though this chocolate was definitely my favorite, at $1.50 a pop, I'll save it for special occasions.

The cranberry-pomegranate tart was not too sweet, which let the tang of the berries shine. Combined with the light and flaky crust, the pastry provided an overall refreshing experience.

Though I could swipe just a few bites of the cake without a glare from my friend, the few forkfuls I did manage to consume were worth it. With a honey-butter cream outside, moist vanilla cake on the inside and a chestnut butter cream frosting between layers, the cake tasted almost like tiramisu, only cleaner.

And so, whether you are looking to spend a little for tea, coffee, drinks or a cookie or to splurge on chocolates and cake, Blu Boy Cafe and Cakery is a gold mine of goodies for all indulgences.