Max Brenner: Hot Chocolate I Have Known (Pt 2)
I left Melbourne a little over a month ago and already it feels like an age since my holiday.
I mention that because this hot chocolate review is a little late and may be a little sketchy on the details.
Max Brenner. Where to start. If you were slightly giddy at the option of either Hot Chocolate or Italian Hot Chocolate on the menu at L'Aperitivo or Brunetti, you'll pass out when you see the menu at this hot chocolateria (okay, so I made that up).
Page after page after drool-soaked-page of different types of hot chocolate.
Going from sketchy chocolate-fuelled memory, we're talking at least five pages of different types of hot chocolate. Five. I'll wait for you to contemplate that a moment longer.
Right.
They've got your traditional liquid-state hot chocolate, mixed with a variety of amazing-sounding flavours (that photo's blurred because I'm about to chug some dark-chocolate-and-orange flavoured goo). These are served in the hug-mug, which is "specially-designed for the chocolate drinking ceremony."
Yes, they said ceremony. They take it that seriously. If Mr Brenner starts a religion, I know a lot of people who'd join.
They've also got a decidedly elaborate DIY option called Suckao, which involves an egg-shaped mug with a tealight candle underneath being brought to the table along with some freshly-mined blocks of chocolate and a small jug of milk. You're then free to mix up your own hot chocolate, which is drunk through a metal straw-spoon.
I've left that option for next time I happen to be in Melbourne. Or Sydney. They're in several convenient locations in either city. Just not in Perth.
Posted on Monday, November 21, 2005 and filed under Hot Chocolate, Melbourne 2005.
Comments
Hot chocolate served in something that more closely resembles a gravy boat than a mug. I like it.
You know, I reckon we should just bite the bullet and open a coffee/hot chocolate store ourselves in Perth. We're obviously going to die of old age before somebody does it for us.
Posted by: Andrew on November 21, 2005
i would take shares in max if i could.
Posted by: Amanda on December 3, 2005
Just to get you excited, I have a friend who is planning on opening up a giftshop in Perth (can't be more specific as they're finalising the paperwork and sorting the lease). His girlfriend/partner is a BIG fan of Max Brenner chocolates, and he is in negotiiation to stock some of the chocolates and hug mugs ...
In the meantime, there's a french patisserie (love it, can't spell it) in East Perth on Royal St that does a hot damn that's good pan au chocolat. It might tide you over in the meantime!
cheers,
S
Posted by: Sandy on January 19, 2006
I've just started training at the brand spanking new Max in New York City.......I would strangle a puppy for a dark chocolate thick italian hot choc.....
Posted by: STEVE on July 25, 2006
Quick poll: when you drank from the hug mug, where did you drink from? The pointy end, the blunt end or the side?
The sukao is great fun, particularly for everyone else at the table. DinnerHH^Hchocolate AND a show!
However Max Brenner has slipped somewhat in my levels of esteem. They've taken the orchid oil hot chocolate off the menu and last time we were there (Paddington), the mugs had cutesy shit pictures on them. Meh!
and they waste a massive amount of space at the back for a display case nobody ever buys from, instead of putting in some more tables. Subsequently people are being forced to wait in the doorway/street freezing their arse off, then feel rushed when they sit down since people are peering forlornly in through the window.
The chocolate remains awesome though.
Posted by: Ben Buchanan on June 26, 2007
I've yet to try the Max Brenner here in Sydney, but based on that tip I may restrict my visits to the store next to David Jones in the city. At least the wait will be indoors there.
Judging by the angle that photo's taken from, I think I drank from the pointy end.
Posted by: Si on June 26, 2007
Pointy end for the win!
L insists that it's correct to drink from the side. I have no idea why! :)
Posted by: Ben Buchanan on June 26, 2007
It's just the natural order of things.
Posted by: Si on June 26, 2007
Wow!! i also love Max brenner and heard he just openend in NYC... I'm a choco addict too.... and a frequent visitor of Max brenner in the Philippines.
I like your writing style and the pics are so artistic..
Kudos to you.. Aly
Posted by: albert abaquin on February 8, 2008
