Nestled on one of Exeter’s quaintest streets you will find Chococo. New to Exeter but well established in Swanage and Winchester. Chococo is welcomed with open arms by the chocolate lovers of Exeter.
The shop is a mix of two halves. You have the cafe selling amazing cakes with a chocolate theme made at Chococo HQ in Swanage. You’ll find a selection of goodies made by my friends at Emma’s Bread. You can build your own hot chocolates, build your own ice cream sundaes (made with Purbeck ice cream from Dorset) plus they have the most wonderful fresh and ambient chocolates.
Let me talk about the cafe first. A wide selection of hot drinks with coffee from Crankhouse. A local roasters just two miles away from Chococo’s front door. The teas are from Dorset teas and the chocolate for the wonderful hot chocolate selection comes from all over the world via their main site in Swanage. Claire Burnet, the owner of Chococo takes pride in sourcing produce from local artisans and producers. What Chococo can’t produce themselves they source ethically and make sure that the supplier values are similar to their own. The decor is bright and cheerful with a spacious feel, particularly when you go upstairs to the mezzanine. Long wooden tables with potted fresh herbs and flowers compliment the picture wall where children (or adults) can create their own work with the paper and crayons available. Huge paper lanterns hang from the ceiling creating ambient lighting and a show stopping centre piece.
Robert suggested I should try something so I perused the menu for myself. A pot of Dorset breakfast tea and one of the gluten free chocolate and pecan brownies were calling my name. Robert suggested I turn it into a “Brilliant Brownie”. I, of course asked what this was and was sucked in straight away. My brownie was whisked away, warmed slightly and served with a scoop of Purbeck ice cream. I chose vanilla drizzled with hot chocolate sauce. I can categorically say that it was possibly one of the best brownies I have ever tasted. The quality of the chocolate was clearly evident. There was no sickly sweet feeling throughout or after. Just the pleasing taste of pure chocolate. The brownie itself was moist with a subtle crunch of a pecan nut. The ice cream melted as I was eating which swirled in with the hot chocolate sauce. I was in chocolate heaven and it was only 11am!
Chococo’s opening hours at this present time are:
9.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday
9.00am – 5.30pm Saturday
11.00am – 5.00pm Sunday
There will be longer opening longer hours when Christmas approaches. In September they are planning on using the upstairs mezzanine for events. Pilates and yoga classes are in the pipeline as well as networking events. Watch this space. I will endeavour to keep you up to date with any news as I get it.
So, if the thought of a “Brilliant Brownie” isn’t enough to get you flocking to Chococo then amazing chocolate selection surely will be. Enjoy!
Wow that has definitely inspired me to go there and sample some of those delicious sweet treats! I’m a total chocoholic so I know I am going to love it! Great review X
Thanks Emma, you will love it in there! So many lovely choccie delights to choose from! X