Funk, Rocky Road

Funk Coffee and Food have a special Rocky Road Hot Chocolate at present. I visited the impressive Victoria Square outlet in the SA Water building recently and tried this special offering. It had was made with thick hot chocolate topped with nuts, coconut, mini marshmallows and cherry segments. There were so many bits an pieces on top that it was not possible to sip the drink. Fortunately a spoon was provided so this could be eaten more like a dessert in a mug than a drink. The end result was a tasty, crunchy delight and cost $4.50.

Menz Raspberry Chocs

While I am not a regular reviewer of chocolate confectionary, the fame of Merkel Marmaduke has spread to the people at Menz. The tastebuds that are finely tuned to sampling different types of hot chocolate were asked to try Menz's latest "Raspberry Chocs. Menz are of course the makers of the iconic FruChocs. In a recent Advertiser article apricot flavour chocolates were favourites for South Australian and this was largely due to the success of FruChocs.

Raspberry Chocs are similar size and shape to FruChocs, and they are covered in the same milk chocolate. The chocolate covers a raspberry flavoured gelatine centre which makes the treat a lot more chewy than the FruChoc.

Raspberry and chocolate go well together and the raspberry hot chocolate at Au Martin Calme was testament to this. I prefer a dark chocolate to counteract the sweetness of the Raspberry. Overall the Raspberry Chocs are too sweet for my liking. The raspbery flavour is not pronounced enough despite natural flavours and colours that go ino this treat. I however tried this on less mature palates. My kids loved these and I expect other children would too.

I note that a fellow blogger has tried dark chocolate FruChocs.  Now that sounds worth a try.

Gingers Coffee Studio

Gingers Coffee Studio has recently opened up at 109a Goodwood Road. Merkel and Myrtle visited the studio for breakfast. There is plenty of seating inside and the furnishings are comfortable with a retro touch. Our waitress, Melanie was very friendly and provided quick table service. We chose from a tasty selection of breakfasts on the menu. This is one of the venues for the 2012 SALA festival which starts August 3. Patrons can preview the well-crafted paintings prior to the festival.

The hot chocolate came in a large ceramic cup and saucer and was topped with a delicate piece of Latte art. This was not a creamy hot chocolate, but the flavour was rich and dark and pleasant to drink.

Saffron Sky

Saffron Sky on King William Road has taken over the Darriwill Farm shop in King William Road, Hyde Park. This is now a fully functioning Café rather than the old gifts and gourmet retail store. The place has been renovated and looks pretty snazzy with brown and white décor. The Cocolat cakes are still available but the Cocolat brand is not as prominent.

The hot chocolate comes in a small ceramic cup topped with froth with some latte art on top. This more of a standard coffee bar drink than the organic coffee sold at the previous shop. The drink was rich and dark with good flavour. The cost was $3.60.

Argo on the Square

Sometime ago Argo on the Parade with its outlet in Norwood took over the running of the Ink Café. The Ink Café has now been renonvated and rebranded as a new Café, Argo on the Square has appeared in its place. It now features funky design and decorative orchids in the Shop 4, Victoria Square. It serves breakfast and lunch and has a range of exotic sandwiches and wraps on the menu.

Also on the menu was a Mint Hot Chocolate which encouraged me to try it. It was $3.40 for the regular size and came in a black ceramic cup topped a white froth and chocolate flakes. The mint taste was a natural mint flavour rather than the standard artificial flavour which is often too sweet. As a result this was probably the best mint hot chocolate I have had.

Red Door Bakery, Goodwood

A new Red Door Barkery at 54 King William Road, Goodwood. This follows the successful formula of the shop in Croyden with the same name. They have a menu of fresh bakery goods including a good range of home made pies, sausage roles and croissants. There are a number of tables insided and outside for eating in and enjoying a coffee or hot chocolate.

The hot chocolate is listed on the menu board as being "made from chocolate buttons". This is the same high quality Belgian chocolate as I tasted at Croyden complete with a white and a pink marshmallow. This time it was served in a glass and saucer and topped with a white froth and a sprinkle of choclate powder. The cost was $4.20.

Hyde Park Bakery

There is a new Bakery in Hyde Park at simply called the Hyde Park Bakery. It is at the corner of King William Road and Mitchell Street at 1 Mitchell Street. It is diagonally opposite Kibbies. Next to Kibbies, Wenzels Cakes has closed down. It may not not be a coincidence that one baker has disappeared from this area around the same time that another one has been established.

The Hyde Park Bakery is a spacious bakery with about eight tables inside for dining in. It is newly renovated with a wonderful exposed stone wall on the east side. The service is friendly and there are quiches, foccacias, cakes and pies on the menu of takeaway or dining in.

The hot chocolate is $3.80 and comes in a glass and saucer with a marshmallow. The glass is hot touch so you will need to utilise the paper napkins in dispenser to hold the drink unless you let it cool down. The drink is decorated with a white froth and spider-web syrup design on top and some syrup inside the glass. This decoration is attractive but makes the drink too sweet. The flavour is smooth and chocolaty.

Deli at the Hilton Hotel

Merkel and Myrtle visited the Deli at the Hilton Hotel on Victoria Square.  The couple ordered sandwhiches and sat in the comfortable area under an impressive foyer ceiling. The hot chocolate came in its metal tray with a soda water beside. This is a nice presentation although it was missing a twist of lemon and a marshmallow which was provided when they last visited, more than a year ago. The hot chocolate was still rich with a good flavour. It was served in a plain mug and topped with a white froth and a sprinkle of chocolate on top.