Monty's Chocolates - Chocolate Milkshakes

I have purchased from Monty's but given the Melbourne/Brisbane divide this has been over the phone and via the services of Australia Post. But finding myself in Brisbane for a few days with a suggestion of a friend to visit this chocolate store she knew of, I jumped at the opportunity.  But sadly being the ANZAC public holiday it was closed.

 

So the next day, I harranged my water loving friend Yann away from the beach and last of pre-winter swimming to take me to Monty's.  So a big thank you to Yann!

Atmosphere & Service

When I had dealt with Monty's previously I was struck with their passion, product knowledge and enthusiasm and I was far from being disappointed in store.  Owner Steve was enjoying a post-Easter break and we were served by the lovely Sarah and had the airy and well presented store to ourselves thereby being able to avail of her generosity of information and the odd sample.

 

Sarah is knowledge, passionate and extremely nice.  And even better, she listens to my preferences and works her suggestions around these such as when I explain my preference for the really good stuff and she directs me accordingly.  And joy of all joys - she even offers an opinion, something I love!

 

And whilst this was a fantastic experience in service, retail and (dare I gush) sensory delight, I am here to review so let's move on from service to taste.

Rose Chocolate Milkshake

I've been hankering for a milkshake for some time but being a girl who watches what I eat (chocolate excluded) this was time to give in to wants.  Good hot chocolate I can get in Melbourne, but a good milkshake is a hard thing to come by and when done well a thing of beauty.

 

Fortunately my friend Yann is a flavoured milk aficionado so it wasn't too hard to convince him to partake, but we had to make a choice - flavour, too many choices...orange, raspberry, rose, lavender, spearmint - oh the dilemma!  But I was feeling a little exotic and opted for Monty's best selling milkshake - rose...and was not disappointed.

 

Taste & Texture

  

The first thing that struck me about this was the surprisingly refreshing taste. The next being texture; I wouldn't say thick but it avoids that overly thin consistency of a bad milkshake.  Sarah mixed for a good while so it had a great indulgent froth. 

 

But back to taste. This is strongly and richly chocolate with the base mixture made from couveture (I believe Lindt, not my choice for chocolate but fine for milkshakes), and of their darker persuasion.  I also spied Sarah Lee ice cream going into the concoction of which I heartily approve.  It happily avoids any sickly, topping type sensation and the rich chocolate flavour fills my mouth delivering an abundance of decadence.  

 

As for the rose, rose can can be delightful  (a la Turkish delight) but it can also be scary boiled lollies (a la those your grandmother had for about 12 years).  So I did approach with trepidation. But this falls into the former and is a real delight.  There is no sense of sickly sweetened rose here. 

 

Noteworthy also for its linger, more so the chocolate than the rose, but the flavour remains with me for some time.

 

Summary

 

I am not sure if they use rose oil or something else, but this offers my palate a lovely subtle yet distinct taste of rose.  It isn't overly strong or trying to compete with the chocolate - and it can't, as the chocolate is so strong and forceful whilst the rose is distinct but yielding.  This is lovely and my only complaint is it is too nice and I find myself finishing it much too soon.  Oh, that and Monty's isn't in Melbourne.  

It is a little more pricey than the average milkshake but worth every cent and I will be going back for more on my next visit to Brisbane.  I rate this as 5 out of 5.

Orange Chocolate Milkshake

Yann is a self-proclaimed jaffa fan so hesitated for only a moment before choosing the orange and chocolate flavoured milkshake.  And as usual, I am lucky enough to have friends who let me taste their goodies (or possibly I weed out those who don't). Yann's chocolate and orange drink has the same base products and the lovely consistency of my rose.  Again, I am not sure what they use to flavour but I get the distinct impression it is orange oil - it has a fresh, authentic taste of oranges.  

Possibly a little more bold in flavour than the rose but still balanced wonderfully with the rich chocolate milk.

Yann is very happy with his beverage and concurs with my assessment (although he is a little less greedy and makes his last a little longer than mine, actually a lot longer).  One difference with the orange milkshake is the aftertaste; a lingering marriage of both orange and chocolate - just like jaffas only better.

 

Summary

Yann thoroughly enjoys this, from the shop experience through to taste and including texture. He too rates his as 5 out of 5.  High praise indeed for Monty's!

One last note - hot chocolate.  On our arrival at Monty's, the lovely Sarah asked if we like hot chocolate - at first I was a little dumbfounded, of course I do.  But she presently presented two small cups of hot chocolate for us to try.  I can't quite recall how they were made but I do remember the words Lindt couveture, Italian and possibly cocoa powder.  Whatever they were this is decadent, rich, dark and very good and of that lovely thick Italian style that I love.  

I can't quite recommend partaking of the hot chocolate but that's only because the milkshakes are so damned good.  I think the point is you can't go wrong!

Monty's Chocolate

155 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, Qld 4064

www.montyschocolates.com.au

Reviewer: Shari & Yann

27 April 2010