Places to Eat: Hot Chocolate

HOT Chocolate

Warm your cockles this winter with a delectable hot chocolate. Hunker down in front of a toasty log fire or brave the elements on the windswept coast. Apparently, January 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day, but why wait until then? Where’s your favourite hot chocolate spot? Email kirstie@mycornwall.tv

THE PENVENTON PARK HOTEL, REDRUTH

It won't matter what the weather’s like outside when you’re wrapped up warm inside, sinking into a deep-set sofa with your hands around ‘The Naughty’ hot chocolate: Sloanes luxury hot chocolate with Curly Wurly chunks, topped with marshmallows, cream, dark chocolate shavings, caramel sauce, crushed Maltesers, a Curly Wurly and wafer rolls for garnish. Be extra Naughty and add a Baileys shot. It’s practically a meal! www.penventon.com

LAWRANCE’S, TRURO

It’s build-your-own here. Choose a base of milk, white or ruby chocolate; add a flavour – from caramel or hazelnut to Aero or Biscoff, or even a dash of something naughty – then cream/ marshmallows (or throw caution to the wind and have both!), plus a sprinkle of Maltesers, jelly beans, or other delights to finish. Pure heaven in a mug. www.lawrances.co.uk

THE BEACH HUT, WATERGATE BAY

Anyone who has ever surfed or simply walked on Watergate Bay on a blustery winter’s day will tell you that such a bracing experience deserves an Extreme Hot Chocolate from The Beach Hut. This is hot chocolate less as beverage, more as dessert: Tiramisu, Black Forest Gateau, Mint Choc Chip... all with a generous helping of squirty cream and special extras on top. It’s thick and creamy (the secret is in the cornflour). Peel your wetsuit/gloves off and wrap your hands around its cosy goodness. www.watergatebay.co.uk/eat/the-beach-hut/

DUCHY OF CORNWALL NURSERY, LOSTWITHIEL

This delightful tearoom is tucked away in a valley within sight (and walking distance) of historic Restormel Castle. Belgian hot chocolate buttons (choose from dark, milk or white chocolate) are steamed with Rodda’s dairy milk, with an optional luxurious topping: whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate sauce. The café will be closed from Christmas Day to January 16, and upon reopening will be re-homed temporarily in a tipi on the new Woodland Terrace due to exciting development works – watch this space! www. n 68 | Issue 75My duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk | December 2022 - January 2023

BIEN MANGER, FLUSHING

You’ll find this street food vendor flying the Tricolore flag every Saturday from 9am to 1pm at the Food Barn, Tregew (TR11 5UG). French-born chef-patron Vincent lovingly prepares a Chocolat Chaud recipe influenced by his grandmother; made with 74% cocoa, full-fat milk and heavy cream, with a choice of toppings including whipped cream, chocolate shavings, marshmallow or the triple whammy, it's quite simply magnifique! It’s sure to be a highlight of the Food Barn Christmas Markets throughout December. Tel 07563 205281, Instagram/Facebook @ bienmangermangercornwall. www.foodbarn-tregew.co.uk

What started out in a domestic kitchen in Truro is now a fullyfledged café at the Via Ferrata Cornwall site near Penryn. Their hot chocolate is topped with the biggest marshmallow you’ve ever seen, and 10% of all café sales goes towards supporting the charity work of BF Adventure with young people. Van available for weddings, corporate events and festivals. Winter opening hours: 9am to 4pm, daily. www.thecornishbarista.co.uk

ICED ON THE QUAY, HAYLE

ICED on the Quay falls under the umbrella of Philps Bakery. The Winter Hot Chocolate menu includes Black Forest, Mint and ‘The Works’ in White with toasted marshmallows and blondie chunks, all loaded high with cream, chocolate dust, sauces and toppings. Vegan variations are also available. Hot chocolate powder is supplied by Cornish Tea & Cornish Coffee (www.cornish-tea.co.uk). Find them on East Quay from Friday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm.

POLDHU BEACH CAFÉ, THE LIZARD

Ask anyone in West Cornwall where the best hot chocolates are to be had, and the chances are they will say Poldhu. This beach café is legendary for its hot chocs, topped with swirly cream and a variety of naughty sweet treats: gingerbread, Maltesers, Oreos, honeycomb, you name it. Open daily (bar x and y) from 9.30am.

CLEMENTS & HOPE, POLPERRO

A contemporary coffee shop in Polperro with a chilled-out vibe, serving awesome specialty coffee and epic cakes and bakes. Owner Abby relocated from the Cotswolds in 2020, and has quickly established a following: one reviewer declared the white hot chocolate “to die for”. Open Thursday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm.

WHEREVER YOU ARE

Cornwall has several great chocolatiers, and many produce drinking chocolate for you to whisk up at home. Chocolarder’s vegan-friendly powder is a cut above, made from a house blend of two single estates in Ghana and Indonesia, producing a deep, sweet, creamy hot chocolate drink with tasting notes of nutty cocoa melting into sweet caramel and fudge with subtle flavours of soft brown fruit. Ooh la la! Alternatively, Kernow Chocolate and Josh’s Chocolate both produce hot chocolate spoons – dip in warm milk and watch the magic happen. Find a heart-warming Alpine hot chocolate (pictured on page 67) recipe containing Cornish clotted cream at www.roddas.co.uk/ recipes/cornish-hot-chocolate/