Cape Town's boutique "bean to bar" sanctuary of sweets will certainly satiate you
It has been said that in Heaven chocolate has no calories and is served as the main meal. You needn't plead with Saint Peter to grant you entrance through the celestial pearly gates as co-founders Anthony Gird and Michael de Klerk have provided a delicious offering here on Earth.
Described as, "an indulgent chocolate escape," the café provides a smorgasbord of vegan friendly, gluten- and dairy-free treats for chocoholics to enjoy. Walking through the Mother City on a windy winters day; being whipped from one side of the pavement to the other -which is totally normal for Cape Town this time of year- I dash into Honest Chocolate.
A humble hole in the wall. Four small tables are packed into the modest eatery, encouraging you to come in a pair.
Barreling towards the picturesque courtyard, the spicy aroma of freshly-baked banana bread bunny chow, resting on the cooling rack, stops me dead in my tracks. I decide to unburden myself of four layers of protective warmth right in front of the confections display.
Double chocolate cashew nut brownies are making my mouth water and so are the chocolate and bran muffins. I could have a little of each, I convince myself. There's no dairy and the chocolate is 100% raw cacao; surely that's healthy?
The moans of my hunger pangs fill the cosy chocolate bar and I decide to peruse the menu for something more filling.
It's a no-brainer. I order the nachos and chocolate spread with a choc chilli chai to wash it down.
A sigh of pleasure escapes with my first mouthful.
I use my second nacho chip to spoon the dark chocolate spread from the bowl and sprinkle ground pepper on top. The versatile salty, sweet, bitter and peppery flavour combined with the flurry of silky, crunchy and coarse textures arrest my palate. Suddenly remembering my drink, I take a generous gulp, as it has cooled quite a bit. The chilli chai complements the nachos perfectly. Accidentally.
I'd get so fat if I worked here, I mutter to myself. "I have," one of the bakers behind the counter laughs.
"Here, let me help you get there sana lwam," she says, walking towards me with a small plate of chocolate truffles. I wolf them down with what is left of my chai. The thought of heading back out into the Cape chill fills me with dread. So I ask for more truffles, savoring these ones because 45 minutes on the treadmill is all I'm willing to do to counteract this decadent meal.
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Cape Town is the culinary playground of South Africa. I had the privilege of being invited to a dinner party hosted by the talented Ayanonga Gope. #dinnerwiththecookdude went a little like this.
While visiting the Mother City, I found a cute little hidden gem called The Burrows. I intend to pop in for a cuppa and a brownie when I'm back.
When the office gets a little too claustrophobic, head to one of the Cool Coffices to get some work done.
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