Melbourne for chocoholics
Having dinner with a rather rotund Belgian gourmet friend of mine not so long ago while in Brussels, the discussion somehow came around to chocolate. Yes, the Australians produced better seafood than Belgium, and Australian wines were often better than those from neighbouring France, he conceded. But when it comes to chocolate, Belgium wins hands down, or so he claimed.
I decided to put it to the test in Melbourne recently, and while that food-focussed city may not produce such diet-busting delights as Brussels, it does have some great addresses for those chocoholics amongst us.
Head for the historic Royal Arcade where Koko Black has been hand crafting exquisite chocolates for the past four years. It’s fascinating to watch as Koko Black chocolatiers work couverture into an incredible array of truffles, moulded pralines and bars, just as they did back in the ‘old country’.
While there, be tempted by a Koko Black Hot Chocolate, freshly brewed with dark Belgian chocolate - no powder. Other Koko Black stores can be found in the Melbourbe suburbs of Carlton, Camberwell and Chadstone and they have recently opened a second city store on Collins Street – so they must be getting it right.
Langham Hotel’s Aria Lounge on Southbank is another mecca for chocolate lovers. Enjoy a scandalous chocolate afternoon tea experience that includes a chocolate fountain, freshly made chocolates, and unlimited visits to the Chocolate Bar. This dark and decadent experience can be enjoyed every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
On Little Collins Street, cocoa-le-art offers hand-made delicacies by Swiss chocolatier Silvano Widmer, who uses Belgian dark chocolate, made in a Swiss style with soft centre ganache fillings, and a decorative French presentation – now how European is that!
Monsieur Truffle is a stall in Prahran Market, where Thibault Fregoni, a softly spoken Frenchman who has a background as a pastry cook, offers chocolate creations that combine passionfruit, raspberry, native pepper, marzipan or orange truffle in intensely flavoured yet well balanced chocolates.
You will probably have to join a queue of faithful local customers to taste Thibault's selection of the week. Call it slow chocolate, but it's worth the wait.
If you have chocoholic clients looking for a chocoholic experience while in Melbourne, you might want to recommend Chocoholic Tours, who will help them discover the hidden chocolate charms of the city's streets, lanes and arcades, all in one tour.
Founder Suzie Wharton and her team have been running tours for the past 12 years, with one Friday afternoon departure and up to five different tours on Saturdays; they take place throughout the year, in all weather conditions.
I decided to put it to the test in Melbourne recently, and while that food-focussed city may not produce such diet-busting delights as Brussels, it does have some great addresses for those chocoholics amongst us.
Head for the historic Royal Arcade where Koko Black has been hand crafting exquisite chocolates for the past four years. It’s fascinating to watch as Koko Black chocolatiers work couverture into an incredible array of truffles, moulded pralines and bars, just as they did back in the ‘old country’.
While there, be tempted by a Koko Black Hot Chocolate, freshly brewed with dark Belgian chocolate - no powder. Other Koko Black stores can be found in the Melbourbe suburbs of Carlton, Camberwell and Chadstone and they have recently opened a second city store on Collins Street – so they must be getting it right.
Langham Hotel’s Aria Lounge on Southbank is another mecca for chocolate lovers. Enjoy a scandalous chocolate afternoon tea experience that includes a chocolate fountain, freshly made chocolates, and unlimited visits to the Chocolate Bar. This dark and decadent experience can be enjoyed every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
On Little Collins Street, cocoa-le-art offers hand-made delicacies by Swiss chocolatier Silvano Widmer, who uses Belgian dark chocolate, made in a Swiss style with soft centre ganache fillings, and a decorative French presentation – now how European is that!
Monsieur Truffle is a stall in Prahran Market, where Thibault Fregoni, a softly spoken Frenchman who has a background as a pastry cook, offers chocolate creations that combine passionfruit, raspberry, native pepper, marzipan or orange truffle in intensely flavoured yet well balanced chocolates.
You will probably have to join a queue of faithful local customers to taste Thibault's selection of the week. Call it slow chocolate, but it's worth the wait.
If you have chocoholic clients looking for a chocoholic experience while in Melbourne, you might want to recommend Chocoholic Tours, who will help them discover the hidden chocolate charms of the city's streets, lanes and arcades, all in one tour.
Founder Suzie Wharton and her team have been running tours for the past 12 years, with one Friday afternoon departure and up to five different tours on Saturdays; they take place throughout the year, in all weather conditions.
Labels: Chocoholic Tours, cocoa-le-art, Koko Blac, Langham Hotel’s Aria Lounge, melbourne, Monsieur Truffle
posted by Editor's desk at
10:45 AM
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