When temperatures drop to near freezing point, and cold winds blow up from the Thames, searching out a blissful hot chocolate drink is guaranteed to be a winner. Thankfully, London has a good selection from which to choose.
Artisan du Chocolat has branches in Chelsea and Belgravia, and is definitely one of the most popular destinations for hot chocolate lovers while staying in holiday apartments London. Sufficient to say that one of their offerings is named Death by Chocolate from its irresistible combination of white and black marshmallows which melt gently into the frothy milk. Other variations worth trying include Vegetarian Mallow and Salted Caramel.
Also in Belgravia is Choccywoccydoodah! This fun, lively boutique store in Fouberts Place, Carnaby Street is a great place to visit when you are taking a break from shopping in Oxford Street. It feels a bit like entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory as the chocolate products are incredibly imaginative. Once you can tear yourself away from the delights of the store itself, head upstairs to the bar du chocolate and sit down with a hot chocolate. Expect queues at weekends as this is a very popular destination, but the wait is worth it. Choose from white, milk or dark chocolate variations complete with lashings of cream and mounds of marshmallows, as well as a dinky chocolate straw!
Prefer something out of the ordinary? Then book a stay at Presidential Apartments Kensington and stop off at Paul A Young’s Fine Chocolate in Wardour Street, Soho. This is a chocolate boutique which has made a name for itself by selling really special chocolate variations. Take a look at the chocolate pot bubbling away in the window – it definitely makes you thirsty! The deep purplish brown liquid is very, very special and is ideal if you have a milk intolerance. This chocolate drink resembles the original Aztec drinks as it is made from 100% Valrhona cocoa powder, 70% chocolate and a little muscavado sugar. You can extra spicy tastes to suit your own preferences such as cinnamon, cardamon or sumac.
Chin Chin Laboratories are unique. There is no other way to describe this café cum store. In fact, it is often described as a mad scientist’s laboratory with tubes and flasks everywhere. Hot chocolate here comes with torched marshmallows and lots of tempting desserts to try. You can find this unusual venue at Camden Lock.
Equally idiosyncratic is the Cereal Killer Café in Brick Lane. If you love breakfast cereal in all its forms, this is ideal. Quite apart from enjoying all manner of cereals, it offers a range of hot chocolates perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth such as the hot chocolate topped with Lucky Charms cereal marshmallow. The setting is also a little different – in fact, you may feel you are retreating back to childhood as some of the seats resemble children’s beds!
An alternative Brick Lane venue is Dark Chocolate. The tempting aroma of roasted chocolate beans is guaranteed to make you salivate with desire, likewise their delightful chilli cocoa perfect on a chilly day.
So, if you are travelling to London then make sure to book serviced apartments Central London to be close to most key attractions of London.
