Koko Black, Chilli

Merkel and Myrtle visited the new Koko Black Salon at the Rundle Street entrance of Adelaide Arcade.  This shop used to be a jeweller.  Instead of the glass cases displaying precious jewellery there are now glass cases showing off some wonderful hand-made chocolates.  Koko Black is nationally network of chocolate Salons and provides a fine chocolate experience.  It provides chocolates, desserts and various beverages including of course, hot chocolates.  The table service was attentive and friendly.

 

Merkel ordered the chilli hot chocolate which came with a warning from our waitress about its fiery nature.  The drink came in a large cup and saucer with the Koko Black brand.  It was topped with froth and multi-coloured latte art.  The drink was indeed fiery but I have had stronger.  The Belgian chocolate was delicious but not particularly dark or bitter.  The drink cost $6.50 and a complimentary chocolate of the day was provided with our meal.

Jenny’s Gourmet Bakery

Jenny’s Gourmet Bakery has been around in various forms for a long time at its location at 81 Glen Osmond Road, Eastwood opposite Bar 9.  The note on one of the displays says that a bakery was on the site in 1910.  Merkel and Myrtle returned there recently for a hot chocolate and a cake.  The shop has been renovated since last time.  There is plenty of seating out the front and under verandah with hanging mirror balls to the side of the main shop.

The hot chocolate came in a white ceramic cup on a black saucer.  The saucer had two marshmallows.  The drink was topped with brown froth and a semicircle of chocolate powder.  The flavour was rich and not too sweet.  The cost was probably $3.40.

Café Presto

Merkel and Myrtle returned to Café Presto in the Arkaba shopping centre recently.  Merkel ordered a mug of hot chocolate.  It came in a saucer with a marshmallow topped with a brown froth and liberal sprinkle of chocolate powder.  The drink was creamy and had a rich milk chocolate flavour.  It was served in a ceramic mug and saucer with a marshmallow in the saucer.  The cost was $4.20.

Red Berry Espresso

Red Berry Espresso is a little coffee roaster and coffee shop just off Greenhill Road at 1A L’Estrange Street, Glenside.  There are tables inside and outside but most of the space is taken up with bags of coffee beans and the coffee roasting machine.  There is not much in the way of savoury food there but there are also cakes and biscuits.

The hot chocolate came in a white ceramic cup on a black saucer.  It was topped with a brown froth and a white dollop of latte art.  The chocolate was rich enough but too sweet.  The cost was $3.50.

Scrabbling for Hot Chocolates in Sydney

Merkel and Myrtle visited Sydney for the national Scrabble championships recently.  Their Scrabble performance was unremarkable but another South Australian, Daniel Piechnick, became the national champion.

While in Sydney, Merkel took the opportunity to try some new hot chocolates.

 

Il Buco

This is an Italian restaurant in Burwood with great food and great service.  The hot chocolate was not particularly special.  It came in a glass and saucer and cost $4.00.  This was adequate for a café.

Lindt Hot Chocolate Café

This café on Darling Harbour is a haven for chocolate lovers.  The hot chocolate came as an empty cup, a jug of frothed milk and a jug of wonderful liquid chocolate.  Merkel was free to mix his chocolate and milk to his desire, and the result was a great chocolate experience.  The cost was $7.00.

Chocolate del Mondo

Chocolate del Mondo has three stores in New South Wales.  Merkel attended the one on Burwood Road, Burwood.  This is a chocolate café which provides chocolate from all over the world.  It features a map or the world and the chocolate varieties that come from different countries.  It also creates the impression of chocolate dripping of the ceiling and walls.

Chocolate del Mondo is the sort of place Merkel would revisit many times if he lived in Sydney.  He ordered the Italian hot chocolate, which came in a tall glass topped with whipped cream and chocolate powder.  It was thick and delicious and cost $5.95.

Fifty3 Café

Fifty3 is shop 53 of the Mitcham Square shopping centre.  It replaces Greco Crepe Connection in the area for the shopping centre under the cinemas, positioned in the middle of the arcade.  There is some stool seating and normal chair seating.  They focus on their coffees but do snacks as well.

The hot chocolate came in a black ceramic cup and saucer with a marshmallow.  It was topped with a brown froth and a semicircle of chocolate powder. The taste was dark, rich and not too sweet.  It is the best hot chocolate in the Mitcham shopping centre.  The cost was $3.50.

Wattle Park Bakery

The Wattle Park Bakery is at 460A Kensington Rd Wattle Park in a small shopping centre.  It sells its award winning pies as wells as cakes, quiches and other goods.  There is stool seating inside and normal height tables outside.

The hot chocolate came in a modest size glass on a black Fairtrade saucer and a glass.  I am not sure whether the hot chocolate was Fairtrade.  There was plenty of creamy brown froth and a sprinkle of chocolate powder on top.  The drink was a pleasingly rich dark chocolate flavour.  It cost $3.70.