I was hurrying across Victoria station when the words Happy Birthday stopped me as I passed the Hotel Chocolat shop. The display also included another box labelled Anniversary. I was looking for the price, when the helpful manager stepped forward to answer my questions. The chocolate box was £7. Throughout the shop you can get deals of reduced prices if you buy three boxes.
The shop is an Aladdin's cave of colours and unusual designs and flavours. The so-called gin flavour chocolate is actually juniper, no alcohol in it, but so many customers didn't know juniper, the magic flavouring in gin, that the marketing magician decided gin would be a more familiar and meaningful name.
I spotted a tray of unwrapped little chocolates, realised they were samples, and asked to taste one. A most unusual flavour. It tastes like - well, juniper.
The manager of the tiny Victoria station branch is very helpful and knowledgeable.
I picked up their catalogue and read it on the train home. A real entertainment, full of ideas for gifts. He had told me the company started in about 2003 north of London. Now you can find branches all over London, and Britain, in shopping malls such as Watford's Intu, Lakeside, big stations such as Victoria, in Scotland and one has opened at the airport overseas.
If you are from overseas looking to bring home something distinctively British, here's a good gift. England is known for chocolate, Cadbury's, Rowntrees of York, Thornton's, and now add to your list Hotel Chocolat.
If you are British and travelling to visit friends overseas, another reason for picking a British box of chocolates as a gift. These chocolates are very different in shapes and colours from most boxes in the supermarkets.
The Teachers line is designed for giving to teachers at the end of school year.
More information from:
hotelchocolat.com
The shop is an Aladdin's cave of colours and unusual designs and flavours. The so-called gin flavour chocolate is actually juniper, no alcohol in it, but so many customers didn't know juniper, the magic flavouring in gin, that the marketing magician decided gin would be a more familiar and meaningful name.
I spotted a tray of unwrapped little chocolates, realised they were samples, and asked to taste one. A most unusual flavour. It tastes like - well, juniper.
The manager of the tiny Victoria station branch is very helpful and knowledgeable.
As you see the shop also had smart gift bags.
If you are from overseas looking to bring home something distinctively British, here's a good gift. England is known for chocolate, Cadbury's, Rowntrees of York, Thornton's, and now add to your list Hotel Chocolat.
If you are British and travelling to visit friends overseas, another reason for picking a British box of chocolates as a gift. These chocolates are very different in shapes and colours from most boxes in the supermarkets.
The Teachers line is designed for giving to teachers at the end of school year.
More information from:
hotelchocolat.com
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