#58: boon – the chocolate experience

i can’t believe I forgot to mention my favourite chocolate café. How remiss of me.

Boon opened sometime late last year (down the road from the hospital, how fortuitous ), and has been making a name for itself based on the quality of its handmade chocolates. It is run by the brother and sister team of Alex and Fanny Chan. Alex works out the front whilst Fanny (a Belgian trained chocolatier) sweats out the back making chocolates.  Their chocolates and truffles use a selection of local and international produce, and feature some interesting combinations (in a good way).

Being a compulsive chocoholic, I think I’ve tried nearly all of the chocolates now, and my favourites are probably the balsamico (strawberries and balsamic vinegar) and the kurobiko (sesame praline). They used to have a tonka bean praline which was fantastic, but unfortunately this is no longer available. Some of their creations more closely resemble minature works of art, and it’s almost a shame to eat them.

Upstairs there is a small sitting area where you can try some of their other chocolate creations.  It’s cozy and intimate, and the service is personable and friendly. It’s a world away from the heavy commercialization of places like Max Brenner, Lindt and San Churro. The menu is quite limited, but most of the items we’ve sampled have not disappointed. I often opt for the hot chocolate, which comes with a praline and small bowl of chocolate mousse (good value at $7.5). The Belgian waffles with warm chocolate sauce are good as well.

I’ve been bringing people here for a while now, and they keep coming back. I think that says something. Good things come in small packages.

hot chocolate

waffles

251 victoria st, darlinghurst
ph: 02 9356 8876

sun-wed 12-7pm, thurs – sun 12-1030pm

http://www.boonchocolates.com.au/menu.htm

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