Friday March 6, 2009

Rich and milky delights

By PRIYA MENON

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THINK of rich and naturally sweet chocolates and the one name that comes to mind is
Theobroma Chocolate Lounge at Bangsar Village One.

Owned by the Hiang Yiap Group whose primary business is apparel and casual wear, the restaurant was launched in July 2008 after the company decided to expand its business.

“We have always been in the lifestyle business. This is merely an expansion,” said chief operating officer Edwin Saw.

5 Hot and cold: (Clockwise from top) The Mug and Warmer, the various flavoured teas that come in specially-packaged silk tea bags and the cold Freppe drinks.

Theobroma, which means food for the Gods in Latin, is an apt name for chocolates that were discovered by the Aztec people.

According to Saw, at that time chocolates were so expensive that only Gods could afford the sweet dessert and thus the name.

Saw believes that the restaurant is the first to introduce a total chocolate concept in the Malaysian market.

The restaurant serves Belgium chocolate with no added preservatives, ensuring that the sweetness in each bite is natural.

“Chocolates are only unhealthy when sugar and preservatives are added. Our dark chocolate is naturally sweet while the milk chocolate gets extra richness from the milk we add in,” he said

5 Rich: The Chocolate fondue called Chocolate Affair is served with fruits.

Their chocolates are flown in from Australia every fortnight and probably are one of the most colourful chocolates in town. With 100 flavours, the colours added in are also natural, according to Saw. Each piece of chocolate costs between RM3.90 and RM4.90 and can be packed in a elegant brown box to be given away as gifts.

Apart from that, the restaurant serves chocolate drinks and food that are made from chocolate bits which are melted, giving the beverages a rich, smooth taste.

“We have our chocolate drinks in three flavours — dark, milk and white chocolate and a must-try is our mug and warmer drink which is served with a candle under the mug,” said Saw.

For Freppe lovers, you can enjoy drinks like Snow white frappe (Belgian white chocolate), Fair lady freppe (Milk chocolate) Ms. Coco (Belgian dark chocolate) for RM12.90 each.

44 New dish: The Oven Baked Chicken with Buttered rice will be introduced next month.

The names of the dishes are feminine as the restaurant targets women customers who are always associated with chocolates.

“We also have Belgian Waffles, mudpies and a range of chocolate delights that are definitely one of a kind,” he added.

For those who are not chocolate lovers, don’t fret as the restaurant also serves an array of dishes that are meant to excite your taste buds.

Their Ceylon teas are unique as they have seven flavours to choose from like Camomile, Fruit of Eden Lemongrass ginger, which are all herbal teas as well as the English Breaksfast tea and Lavendar Grey.

“We specially select our dishes like our Spicy Ginger flower fishcake pasta that is spicy yet flavourful,” he added.

Besides the pasta dish, they also serve another delicious combination of Salmon and crepe called the Scandinavian Salmon Crepe which only costs RM14.90.

To finish the meal, order a Chocolate fondue called Chocolate Affair that serves two people and has four different fruits.

Theobroma has three branches at Pavilion KL, Bangsar Village One and One Utama New Wing.

They will be opening up a new restaurant at the new LCCT wing in March or April.

Their opening hours are from 10am to midnight for One Utama and Pavilion, while the Bangsar Village outlet is open from 9am to midnight. For more information log on to http://www.chocolatelounge.com.my or call the Bangsar outlet at 03-2284 9072.