Shocolate - Hot Chocolate

Tasted: Chef's Blend Hot Chocolate / Orange Hot Chocolate

Price: $7.50

Rating: 3 stars / 4 stars 

Buy again: Yes, great service, atmosphere & a pretty good hot chocolate

Shocolate has been open for approximately six months and I'd heard whispers and rumours of its existence - most of them rather good.  So on a shopping expedition with my 16 year old niece (Dee), I thought it an appropriate excuse to seek it out.  Besides, after a bargain hunting hour or so at the Alannah Hill outlet we were in need of some sustenance.

Service & Atmosphere

The first thing that I noticed, with approval, was the French style seating outside, and whilst it is located on a busy corner the seating is set far enough back under the protection of the building to retain its outdoor charms.  However the cold Melbourne weather did not lend the same charms so we opted to sit inside.  And we weren't disappointed.

Inside is a really well conceived environment, it retains old world charms of exposed brick walls and period windows, but with modern and clean white walls and shelving.  Add to that some lovely decorative features such as gorgeous lights and a view of the chocolate making kitchen - then you have a great atmosphere. 

When we walked in we were immediately drawn to the cabinet of handmade chocolates and it didn't take us long to spy out a rather odd inclusion - a vegemite ganache, hmmm I am not sure about that.  

On the way to our table we couldn't help but stop (and drool) at the rather impressive looking desserts in the case; incredible looking banana macaroons, metallic chocolate eclairs and other treats that look more like art. Sadly we were soon off for lunch so we left the desserts alone (although I did check out the prices, they range from $10-$12).

But more than the environment the service here is extraordinary!  Happily seated we perused the menu and Dee had no problems honing in on the orange hot chocolate - she has a penchant for orange and chocolate.  I, being instinctively more indecisive, hesitated more.  Cinnamon is always a winner but then there an unusual inclusion, the chef's blend hot chocolate, not only cinnamon but nutmeg and lemon zest.  And after chatting to the phenomenally lovely waiter this became my choice for the day.  And I being the person who always has to ask at least a question or two was rather impressed that he would sit down to talk to us, answer my questions and generally enthuse his passion for chocolate.  He also delivered to us water without any prompt and all done with amazing professionalism, niceness and knowledge.  

I need to jump forward a moment and share a rather impressive, if not ironic, piece of service.  I ordered a salted caramel chocolate (nice but more a burnt toffee caramel, could use a more subtle form of salt) but the lovely waiter also brought us two complimentary chocolates.  Why ironic?  Well he brought two of the vegemite ganache I had told the other staff member was a rather wrong idea.  And the verdict - 'different'.  Its not bad, we kind of enjoyed them, but is it necessary?

Chef's Blend Hot Chocolate

The lovely waiter had mentioned that he would bring us out a separate small jug of milk so we could mix our chocolate to our preferred consistency, and we are both happy to find a big satisfying mug of hot chocolate and a small jug of frothy, warm milk.  And even better the hot chocolate, and the wee jug of milk, were topped with yummy dark shavings of chocolate.  A very good start!

But here is where I hit my first snag (Dee has a better experience).  When the milk jug concept was explained to us it was on the basis that if we needed to thin out our chocolate we could do so and I LOVE a thick hot chocolate, so was expecting one.  Only this wasn't.  The first thing I notice it is too hot and regret taking that first large mouthful.  And then the next thing I noticed is the rather thin consistency, and that is without the extra milk.

My first real taste and the heavy spiced nature of the drink startles me and leaves a spicy tingling in the back of my throat.  This isn't hot in a chilli sense, but is so in a cinnamon/nutmeg way (I can't really pick up on the lemon zest).  The flavour is good but intense - I wouldn't recommend it for those who are shy of spices. Some may say this is an acquired taste, at least they were Dee's words. And whilst I don't mind a good wallop of spice I just wish I could pick up the chocolate flavour more, it is rather lost amongst everything else going on.  

Summary

If you are a fan of spices, this may be a good choice - particularly in the colder weather when you really need to be warmed up all the way to the bottom of your toes, but for me I want more chocolate and maybe a little better consistency.  The service is great (and worth returning just for that) but the hot chocolate itself only good, so this one I would rate as 3 out of 5, although Dee did fare a little better than me in her choice.

Orange Hot Chocolate

The obvious choice for my niece, who I had also brought a block of Mazet orange chocolate earlier that morning.  And whilst it came out looking like mine I think the consistency, in both froth and texture was better.  The first thing Dee commented on was the froth - just as Goldilocks would have liked; not too much, not too little, just right.  And of course with the said yummy chocolate shavings. Like mine, a little too hot but we are happy to linger and let them cool down.

Dee's consistency was good, not quite as thin as mine although I would hardly call it thick (yet another person who is happy to share their indulgences with me!).  Beyond the froth is a distinct orange flavour with only a subtle chocolate flavour, particularly to begin with.  However, Dee is happy to report the orange fades somewhat allowing the chocolate to have a greater presence.  And the whilst the orange is distinct it is not overbearing and delivers a flash of citrus freshness.  And best of all it lingers well so she's is enjoying this for quite some time.

Summary

A good hot chocolate that gives Dee both a hit of orange and a hit of chocolate.  Dee's had reasonable exposure to chocolate establishments on her visits to Melbourne, and she is a girl who knows what she wants, and this may not be the very best hot chocolate she's had she does really like it (enough to give them a rather generous tip) and rates it as 4 out of 5.  And like me she is still enthusing about the fantastic service and is already planning her next trip to partake in one of those banana macaroons.

Shocolate
3/296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

1 May 2010
Reviewer: Shari & Dee