These are a few of the chocolate shops that I've been fortunate to visit during my research for The Chocolate Lovers' Club - tough work, eh? I also went to some fabulous chocolate shops on my recent trip to Italy - but I've mislaid the notes!
Do let me know if there are any other recommendations!
ENGLAND:
London:
Melt
Bijou chocolate shop in trendy Notting Hill. The truffles with double-whipped cream are sublime. All products are handmade on the premises by specialist in chocolate Damian Allsop who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants around the world. Watch Damian at work while you sip a cup of rich, hot chocolate. Try the Jasmine Tea Cylinder - chocolate infused for 4 days in Jasmine Pearl tea. Sublime.
59 Ledbury Road
Notting Hill
London W11 2AA
Tel: 020 7727 5030
www.meltchocolates.com
Artisan du Chocolat
Chocolatier Gerard Coleman combines amazing flavours to make some of the best chocolates you’ll ever encounter. Try their tobacco chocolate – a taste experience you won’t forget. However, you need to go armed with a French dictionary if you want a conversation with the staff.
89 Lower Sloane Street
London SW1W 8DA
Tel: 020 7824 8365
www.artisanduchocolat.com
The Chocolate Society
This is a lovely little shop filled with handmade goodies. It has a tiny cafe area where you can try their very own brownies, ice cream and milkshakes. We had a plate of their handmade truffles. They also sell the most amazing teas to complement your chocolate at the most eye-popping prices. Worth it for an ocassional treat though.
36 Elizabeth Street
London SW1W 9NZ
Tel: 01423 322230 (general enquiries)
or 020 7259 9222 (for orders)
www.chocolate.co.uk
Choc Star
Not exactly a shop, but that doesn’t stop it from being fab. This mobile chocolate bar can be found at the entrance to Brick Lane’s market every Sunday. Trained at Pierre Marcolini, Petra Barran sells everything chocolate. Try the banana waffles with Grand Cru Valrhona chocolate sauce or the spicy Venezuelan hot chocolate shots.
Choc Star Mobile Chocolate Bar
Tel: 07748 073848
www.chocstar.co.uk
USA:
Washington DC:
Les Delices d'Isabelle
This delightful shop imports a huge range of Leonidas chocolates from Belgium. Yum.
1531 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20007
Tel: (202) 944-1989
FRANCE:
Paris:
Haven't visited any chocolate shops in Paris, but the following come highly recommended if you happen to be passing through!
La Maison du Chocolat – Robert Linxe
Pierre Herme – bijou choc shops
Laudree – top pattiserie
CUBA:
Museo del Chocolate
Renowned more for its big, fat cigars and rum, The Chocolate Museum in the crumbling capital city of Havana is an oasis in a largely, chocolate-free zone. Housed in the beautifully-restored Casa de la Cruz Verde, try their delicious hand-made chocolates with a glass of Choc-frio and enjoy the quiet, air-conditioned ambience. Possibly the only place in Cuba where you won’t be serenaded by a trio with maracas. If your Spanish is up to much you can enjoy the colourful wall plaques recounting the history of chocolate.
Museo del Chocolate
Case de la Cruz Verde
Calle Amagura esquina Mercaderes
Havana
Cuba
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