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Does anyone know of a fancy chocolate shop in central London? Ideally in the City. Don’t want to go down to Covent Garden as Selfridges would be the fall-back.
Thanks
Tony
Hotel Chocolat in Moorgate.
Does anyone know of a fancy chocolate shop in central London? Ideally in the City. Don’t want to go down to Covent Garden as Selfridges would be the fall-back.
Thanks
Tony
Charbonnel et Walker in the Broadgate Circle. Not chocolates, but Ladurée in the Royal Exchange could be an option and the Fortnum’s restaurant there does stock things like chocolates or offers super fast delivery.
Hotel Chocolat in Moorgate.
The remit was fancy! Hotel Chocolat was never that and to confirm is now owned by Mars.
Prestat in Piccadilly would be a worthwhile alternative to C et W too
Alain Ducasse near Borough Market is a good (if somewhat expensive) option if you’re the right side of the City to hop over the river
Laduree in the Royal Exchange is probably as fancy as it gets, but if you want to take it one step down, Konditor & Cook on Watling street is a good choice.
A few years ago I’d have recommended Paul A Young, who also had a shop in the City, but has now stopped trading.
The remit was fancy! Hotel Chocolat was never that and to confirm is now owned by Mars.
I didn’t know HC was now owned by Mars. Disappointing especially if they have “Americanised” the recipes.
There was a time when Thornton was regarded as being “fancy” …
Even before the acquisition, HC tasted worse than Lindt! Nice branding and packaging though.
C et W and La Durée, very industrial. Hotel Chocolat was never any better than say Cadbury.
Someone mentioned Paul a Young. Didn’t know they stopped trading!
Other British ones include Melt in Notting Hill (you can also find them in Selfridges) and William Curley in Soho.
Others include Pierre Marcolini, although what they export is very industrial so I only buy in Brussels. Alain Ducasse as mentioned above (Coal Drops Yards and other shops).
Sounds like someone left the V Day shopping to last minute :))
So disappointing reading this. Or even looking at Google Maps for a Chocolatier in London.
It doesn’t feel like that long ago there’d be little independent Chocolatiers tucked away around London’s side streets in Kensington, Marylebone and in the City. Now it’s Hotel Chocolat or random brands backed with a lot of debt, all with masses of packaging and tiny chocolates. Would rather have a Bounty, but even that’s a compromise as they discontinued the dark ones.
There’s a Hotel Chocolat at Euston if you’re on your way to see someone special and you’ve really messed up! They do nice hot chocolate, I got some lovely 70% dark last time I was there.
I love Thornton’s but they seem to have stopped doing the vanilla truffle which I adored 😩
I can second William Curley. I’ve ordered online from them and was very impressed.
Agree that Hotel Chocolat is pretty mainstream. I quite like some of their stuff, but I wouldn’t describe them as fancy.
I got a box of Harrods own chocolates recently after someone recommended them and the flavours and presentation are very good.
As a student I worked for a fantastic chocolatier based in Edinburgh called Plaisir du Chocolat. They had expanded to Selfridges in Manchester and perhaps London too and closed not long after. Great shame, as I’m still chasing the high of their beautiful chocolates. I haven’t had anything quite as good or interesting since.
Even before the acquisition, HC tasted worse than Lindt! Nice branding and packaging though.
Yes, HC was brilliantly marketed as some artisanal product when, as @meta suggests, it was just tarted up Dairy Milk. They sold out to Mars very well before it would inevitably go wrong like Thorntons.
As @meta also says, the two brands I mentioned are on the industrial side, but the OP has limited himself to the City on 13 Feb so rather limited options! Ladurée looks quite pretty – a marvellous scam, but seems remarkably popular.
Far more quality options for real chocolates going west although as @Andrew. says, nowadays rather fewer tip top real chocolatiers in London vs even French provincial cities. With the going price of £1-£2+ per small chocolate, even in London appetite is a bit limited.
As we recently received some very fine chocolates, it will be oysters rather than chocolates tomorrow. Does mean a lot of Valentine’s Day shucking.
If you’re looking for something unique and sweet but not chocolate, I recommend Minamoto Kitchoan, a fancy Japanese confectioner. They again have a shop on Piccadily (after about a year of doing only online). Also it will be beautifully wrapped.
If you’re after something high quality, more independent and off the beaten track; you could try “Dark Sugars” in Greenwich? It’s a regular Xmas time staple for me when it comes to sweet treats….
On this topic, what are people’s favourite chocolates? Not best or mostexpensive, favourite. I am overly familiar with Brussels Airport and have tried many. My favourite is the Corné Port-Royal ballotin from the fridge. Less pricey than Neuhaus and utterly sumptuous.
If you’re after something high quality, more independent and off the beaten track; you could try “Dark Sugars” in Greenwich? It’s a regular Xmas time staple for me when it comes to sweet treats….
They are also on Brick Lane, which is walkable from The City. Fabulous stuff.
I agree with Dark Sugars! Great hot chocolates too
Oh là là @JDB 😯 😂
I am unapologetic about liking Thorntons, although they are somewhat overpriced these days and clearly on their way out! They’re considered posh up here, as well 🤣
It just occurred to me that @The real Swiss Tony, if really Swiss, would have sourced some appropriate confectionery before now. Giant Toblerone, maybe 🤷♀️ 🍫
I feel hotel Chocolat was easily several steps up from Cadburys et al. Not fancy maybe, but definitely nicer than the usual high street products.
Not sure what is it like since the buy out. As soon as I saw that I guessed quality would drop dramatically.
Oh là là @JDB 😯 😂
I am unapologetic about liking Thorntons, although they are somewhat overpriced these days and clearly on their way out! They’re considered posh up here, as well 🤣
It just occurred to me that @The real Swiss Tony, if really Swiss, would have sourced some appropriate confectionery before now. Giant Toblerone, maybe 🤷♀️ 🍫
Depends on which Thorntons. I still enjoy their “Continental” collection.
The “Classic” Collection are equivalent to a tin of Roses, and stacked high and sold at the same £5 price point in Tesco and Poundland at Christmas.
I’d like to clarify that @NL does not speak for all of the north, please disregard any future statements about ‘up here’ as on the right side of the Pennines we like our chocolate a little more refined, a chunky Kit Kat will always do the trick 🙂
OP, good luck in you quest.
I very recently decided to give Venchi a go. Pretty good stuff, if I may say so. I wasn’t sure how good it could be considering they seem to be popping up everywhere, but was pleasantly surprised.
If in Mayfair, I’d go to Marchesi on Mount Street.
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