Dark temptations
Patchi
Patchi was set up in 1974 in Beirut, Lebanon. Today, Patchi is known as one of the finest chocolate makers in the world, especially for its quality and packaging. It offers 52 varieties of chocolates, categorised into an array of ranges: Classic Range, Deluxe Range, Sugar Free Range and Fruit Chocolate range, among others. Apart from regular chocolate, Patchi makes chocolate filled with almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, biscuits and caramel; the company also makes white chocolate.
And here’s the best part: Patchi makes chocolate-to-order for special occasions like weddings, and baby announcements, but the quantities have to be substantial. Packaging can be customised, depending on the occasion. If you are ordering from outside Mumbai or Delhi, Patchi will courier the chocolates to where you are. You can also order chocolates by visiting the company’s website, www.epatchi.com.
Where to get them: Atria Mall, Ground floor, Shop 65/66,Worli, Mumbai; and Select Citywalk, Shop G13A, Saket, Delhi
Contact: Mumbai 022-2481 3430;
Delhi 011-40575038
The price: Classic range costs Rs 250 for 100 gm; Deluxe range, Rs 280 for 100 gm; and Sugar-free range, Rs 300 for 100 gm
Open: 10.00 a.m.-8.30 p.m.
Choko La
For those who eat, drink and live chocolate, Choko La in Delhi is a must visit. Just walk into this store and buy your favourite flavour of chocolate. Let one of its chocolates melt in your mouth. You will know why we recommend it so highly. With 14 varieties of homemade chocolates Choko La offers the most delightful ‘dark temptations’ you will ever get.
You can smell the rich aroma of Belgian chocolates even before you ascend the orange staircase to reach the two floors done up in deep cocoa colour. What sets Choko La apart is not just that it imports the raw material from Belgium, but that it uses Single Origin Chocolates. This is chocolate created from cocoa from one particular region—real chocolate in its purest and finest form. Pair any of its chocolates with “Tanzania”, a rare dark chocolate drink with 73 per cent cocoa and a fine hint of vanilla. It’s divine. You must also try the three flavours of liqueur chocolates—Nicole (dark chocolate filled with whisky), Juniper (dark chocolate filled with gin) and Hugo (dark chocolate filled with Remy Martin and Cognac).
Where to get them: 36 Khan Market, New Delhi
Contact: 011-41757570
The price: From an affordable Rs 75 per box to Rs 50 for a single piece
Open: from 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
Brunette
Started by marketing professional Priyanka Singhania, Brunette offers 50 different types of chocolates and sets itself apart from the crowd with its sheer variety, including Haze (rich milk chocolate with hazelnut), Cafechino (dark chocolate with a soft coffee truffle centre) and Berrysoft (dark chocolate with a soft-centered creamy strawberry filling) among several others.
Besides off-the-shelf purchases, Brunette runs a thriving business in gifts (both for companies and for personal occasions like weddings) and provides customised packaging for the same. Like many other speciality choclatiers, Brunette is only available at the store. Expect to pay around Rs 650 per kg for premium offerings. You can check out its entire range at www.brunette.co.in/
Where to get them: HSR Layout, Koramangala, Bangalore
Contact: 080-32942058
The price: The premium range begins at Rs 650 per kg. Prices go up till Rs 1,500 per kg
Open: From 10.30 a.m.-8 p.m.
