PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIAOwned by Lou Jovanovski and his Rivers Group, who are also behind such restaurants as Fish and Bluefire, Hot Chocolate Cafe merges a waterfront location with a focus on decadent desserts to create an atmosphere that is as warm, rich and silky smooth as its selection of delicious in-house ice-creams. Although designed for sweet-tooths who really love their chocolate, the popularity of this cafe has allowed the menu to expand and offer a full list of breakfast dishes and simple daytime favourites like chicken parmigiana, pizza and BLTs.
Savouries, however, will always take a backseat at Hot Chocolate. And, while most of the desserts are traditional favourites such as tiramisu and creme caramel, Hot Chocolate’s quality produce and passion for all things sweet lift these treats to heavenly heights not reached by the average cafe sweets list. With so many restaurants nearby, this is a great dessert destination after a Docklands dinner and if you manage to raise your fudge-smudged face from your bowl, you might even enjoy the waterside views. Be sure to drool over the indoor fountain containing 25 kilograms of milk chocolate before you leave.
Frank Trimboli, August 2008
