Marmalade Café, Italian

Merkel and Myrtle returned to the Marmalade Breakfast Café in Edward Street Norwood recently. The breakfast service was prompt and Merkel chose the thick Italian hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was served in a glass and saucer with a large marshmallow in the saucer. The drink was topped with a white froth. The hot chocolate was not as thick as a good Italian hot chocolate and the flavour was strongly of hazelnuts. While a hazelnut hot chocolate was on offer this was not what was ordered. The marshmallow tasted stale. The hot chocolate cost $4.50.

Steven ter Horst, Chilli

Merkel and Myrtle returned to Steven ter Horst on Unley Road for a couple more of his special chocolates and a hot beverage. On one of the advertising cards available in the shop it recommended patrons try the chilli hot chocolate which was not on the menu board. Merkel did not need any more encouragement. The chilli hot chocolate was served in a black ceramic cup with a brown froth for $5.50. The Belgian chocolate flavour was unmistakable and the chilli had just the right amount of punch. This is now an excellent hot chocolate venue.

A'Vila

A'Vila has recently taken over from De Luca's on the Park. It is still a little coffee shop between the Crowne Plaza and the Griffin's Head on Hindmarsh Square. The Décor has changed with som bold colourful murals on the wall. Focaccias and other sandwiches are available for lunch.

The hot chocolate came in a brown ceramic cup with the Campos coffee logo proudly emblazoned in drinker facing position. It was topped with with a froth and plenty of chocolate powder. The taste was creamy but not as rich as I would have liked.

Free

Merkel visted Free recently This is the gluten free and sugar free shop with the motto "The best things in life are free". The hot chocolate came in a huge colourful mug for $3.50. It had a Bubbly froth and had a good chocolaty unsweetened taste.

Rosey's

Abrieaux Café has been taken over by new management aftet its short run taking over from Serves You Right. The new Café is known as Rosey's and has only recently opened. The bookcases are gone and the décor has changed. The Café has a modern uncluttered look with some innovative design ideas such as lolly jar light fittings and flowers were in abundance. Your reviewer is not sure what the menu will look like but the focaccias apparently proved popular on the first day.

The hot chocolate was served in grey ceramic cups with a white froth and sprinkle of chocolate powder on top. The chocolate flavour was good but not rich enough. The milk and froth were creamy and the costs was $3.50.

Aria

Aria bar e ristorante is a fine dining restaurant serving the Air Apartments at 220 Greenhill Road Eastwood. This restaurant is the on the first floor and provides a view over the parklands and Greenhill Road if you sit near the big glass windows. They are open for Breakfast on Fridays and Saturdays which when Merkel and Myrtle visited.

The hot chocolate came in a ceramic cup and saucer and was topped with a white forth and sprinkle of chocolate powder. The drink was weak and watery and cost $3.50.

There was a time in Adelaide when instant coffee was popular and restaurants served coffee that was fairly poor by today's standards. There has been a transition over the last 30 years to better coffee pioneered possibly by the Italian restaurants. We can only hope that the same transition will occur for hot chocolates. This may then result in a drink that provides the richness and originality that a true hot chocolate lover enjoys served more consistently in Adelaide Cafes and Restaurants.

Caffe L'Incontro

L'Incontro has got more popular over the last couple of years and its tables now take up most of the picturesque Gays Arcade just off Adelaide Arcade. It provides a range of authentic Italian meals and makes its own Focaccia bread.

Merkel returned to try the Cioccolata in Tazza which is the L'Incontro name for thick Italian hot chocolate. This is the most pleasant lunch venue in Adelaide to enjoy and Italian hot chocolate. The cost is four dollars and it is served in a ceramic cup and saucer with biscotti.