Lindt Chocolate Cafe, Wynyard - Sydney CBD

Both of us needed a hideaway, like now and then. I wanted to stare into her eyes, and hers into mine. To feel the warmth of her personality and manner. For her to soak in my full expression and not just over the phone, Facebook or mob phone. I wanted to have another opportunity to dwell into the colour of her eyes, the curve of her hips and the elegance of her legs. I also wanted to enjoy the comfort of immersing myself into the colour of her hair.  In this rushed routine and with each of us in two different worlds, it took effort to have special moments. Winter is also oppressive in not having a nurturing clime, but on the other hand, feeds the hunger to see each other.

So the big question was where to go, to hold hands under the table and to dangle the feet in such tantalising proximity? Where can we indulge not just in ourselves, but in soul inspiring food? We thought of Euro culture, we arrived a t chocolate and we logically met at the Suisse Lindt Chocolate Cafe. Most of these places are crowded, smallish and in hubs of Sydney city centre that people congregated. We could not travel to Miranda's Westfield in the south, so we settled for the outlet in Sydney's banking district.  

There were more than enough options waiting for us on the shelves - cakes, macaroons, wrapped choc balls, barista coffee, chocolate drinks!   The crowd that afternoon had the motley mix of office workers, secret couples, families and people on holiday. The male staff attending was attentive, organised fast and got us going at our table. It was heavenly when we looked into each other at the table - and this was further enhanced by the bite into the Lindt creations.  

So the two of us had a sort of dance in our conversation with each other. Our words underlined the strong need to reaffirm our mutual feelings and to reassure each other that each of us were doing okay. We used each other as comfortable sounding boards and a target for some jesty humour. Each of us revealed something personal new that we did not know earlier  - and in the process, without saying out loud, was sub consciously seeking the other's approval and advice. I reckon our eyes spoke to each other more than words could say.

We massaged each other, not physically, but in our hearts, our inner raw selves and in our aspirations. Lindt provided the food of being together, of making our meet up more elegant and in warming us up nutritionally. At the same time, each of us had our bodies, mind and soul full on to savour every moment. Yet it all felt strangely natural - and good.

Max Brenner Chocolate Cafe - Shellharbour NSW

Although Max Brenner has been around since 1995 in Australia, I had mostly in the past stuck to its chocolate, mocha or coffee drinks - and not much else.  I recall the long queues - of mostly under 25s - waiting patiently to make their orders.  Staff working at Brenner's are always busy. I usually drop by in the late evenings when I do get there.  The decor has to be dark and brown, and when the cafe is full, there may seem to be a kind of disorder, with yet a semblance of order.

The new outlet at the revamped Shellharbour Stockland Shopping Centre looks attractive.  This cafe is sited near a high traffic area for those entering the shopping precinct, within a stone's throw of a small playground facility, a gig space and with Aldi Supermarket and a KFC joint in sight.  This time around, the Campbells were with me, and I had opportunity to try two interesting choices. First up was the choc pizza, laden with breakfast cereal, marshmallows and nutty bites (photo above).   It looked heavy, but on first bite it was just right - light crusted dough with dripping wet chocolate and a crunch on the top!

Second up was the aptly named Apple Berry Fondue.  Green apple slices accompanied by seasonal strawberries. Small bites of banana cake sat with the popular marshmallows. (Photo above)

Max Brenner does proclaim that "chocolate is not just about taste".  So they came up with Hug Mugs, souffles, a love story and the Bald Man.  Max tries to view chocolate differently - to quote him, "chocolate can be savored like fine wine, and yet, it can also be licked hungrily straight from your fingers."  He further links emotion with eating or drinking the stuff, leading this to an experience of embracing this delight instead of just viewing it only in packed boxes or behind glass displays.

The next time you find yourself in a Brenner, check out if chocolate is in the air, and not just in front of you.  It can be in the piped in music and definitely on the wall designs.  If you prefer the online world, they do have offerings from blocks and suckao cups to pralines, nuts, sets and tin boxes.  And one can always rely on the traditional milkshakes, sundaes, waffles, crepes and brownies.

e and yet, it can also be licked hungrily straight from your fingers.

Oliver Brown Belgian Chocolate Cafe - Rhodes, Sydney

Perhaps as a reaction to the many coffee cafes enjoying a healthy growth across Australia, there is an emerging trend now in the presence of a variety of chocolate beverage outlets. Seriously, it all began with Swiss Lindt, Spanish San Churro, Max Brenner and Belgian Guy Lian investing in outlets in harbour city Sydney. Chocolate drinks can be a comfort and soul item, bringing us back to cold mornings or late nippy nights.   The drinks provide a different sensation from consuming chocolate bars or having flakes sprinkled over ice cream.  So when Joyce introduced me to another chocolate chain, I went in with expectations and yet with an open mind. Oliver Brown had three outlets in the northern suburbs of  Sydney, including Chatswood and Top Ryde.

I was impressed with the interior decor at the Rhodes Shopping Centre cafe that we visited. The place was well patronised on a Sunday afternoon, located strategically near an exit to the road and escalators to the upper floor.  The question I always have on coming across yet another outlet is, so what is strikingly different about this latest one?  I saw the small tables, some with leather seats and most with the ubiquitous cafe chair. The counter was rather long and sunlight came through the big clear glass windows. There was a strong emphasis in wood panels. Across the corridor was a typical Coffee Club cafe. There were mochas, milk shakes, fruit crushes, teas, waffles, fondues, cookies, crepes, sandwiches, dips, ice cream, hot chocolates and the unavoidable coffee choices offered on the menu on the wall.  Cakes and chocolate beverage powder were available for sale.  The display had an Euro feel and all the staff members working that day were Asian, most probably university students.

Rhodes has a demographic of Anglo-Celtic, Middle Eastern, East Asian and Indian - many young families, young couples and singles.  This was reflected in the rather busy parade of shoppers passing by outside the Oliver Brown Cafe. The Cafe in Rhodes is open till midnight each evening. Their signature design is Atzec inspired chequered black, green and white patterns, reflected in their wrapping paper and cafe walls.  They fondly refer to themselves as "OB".  We were there after a hefty lunch, so I tried just one signature item from OB - the hot chocolate with crunchy balls and marshmallows. It was a sizable mug, round and squat.  My first dive into the drink was soothing, not overly heavy and supported by those delightful bites into the crunchy bits swirling all over.  San Churro has a rather aromatic taste whilst OB is lighter but uniquely provides its own delivery.

Looking at the mug, it is disheartening to know that there has been a shareholder dispute affecting OB and it has sold its outlets in Top Ryde and Chatswood.  The media today reported that sales for restaurants and cafes have gone up nation wide in Australia, in contrast to department stores.  So no matter what, the story of chocolate and coffee does continue.

Guylian Cafe, Darling Quarter - Sydney

Guylian Belgian Chocolate now has three cafes in Sydney CBD.  My first experience was at the outlet in the Opera Quays, along the walkway to the Opera House, a strategic location with views of the Harbour Bridge and passing sea vehicles of various kinds.  Recently I had the opportunity to check out the Darling Quarter joint, a much bigger place but with the same smiles of service and in fact more variety of offerings.  I have not yet visited the third outlet at 91 George Street at the Rocks.  Quality hazelnuts, cocoa butter and West African sourced cocoa beans underlie the Guylian product.  Above image, centre, shows the a wedding portrait of Guy and Liliane Foubert, the business founders.

The range of obvious products can be described as pralines, fruit mousses, milk choc, dark choc and truffles. For sit down meals and savoury stuff, you can have the choice of breakfast creations, waffles and pancakes, cookies, muffins, macaroons, bread snacks, salads and late night caps. There are also beef or chicken pies, plus quiche dishes.

Above, smoked salmon with capers accompany baguette slices and a choice of a lemon slice (the Belgian styled pistolets).  Below, the packaged product beautifully arranged on a shelf display. 

There are temptations like tiramisu, the poached caramel pineapple cake and 100% Pure Pleasure, which encompasses Belgian chocolate mousse with almond pannacotta and a so-called Guylian glaze.  For a couple, I recommend the chocolate degustation plate - and then get into sports gear and go for a run, together.  The plate has ice cream, chocolate, cake and dessert samplings.

One of the main aims of visiting Guylian is obviously to try the chocolate drinks, although they do serve affogatos and coffee based variations. I developed a fondness for the hazelnut praline choc milkshake

(image below).  Teas, juices, champagne, wines and iced drinks are also available.  There are wide clear windows to look out at the man made facilities just outside along the outdoor walkway, with the UTS Tower obvious and tall in the distance.

My impressions of the Guylian Cafe, at Darling Quarter in Sydney's Darling Harbour, are:

Atmosphere:  Trendy and spacious

Location:  Touristy, families and after work office people

Taste: Superb Chocolate

People Engagement:  Smiling, inviting and helpful

Service:  Friendly and quick

Best Time To Visit:  Mid-afternoons and late nights

Fav Dish Experienced: Opera Evolve

Would I Return?:  Yummy yes.