After my Easter visit to Colefax where I was told that a Chocolate and Coffee Lounge was forthcoming, I’d always meant to come back to see it, after they’d had a chance to settle in. A trip overseas and work always intervened and it came to September before I could come back and check out their shop and newly appointed Chocolate shop and Coffee lounge.
Entering we see that the whole shop has changed and it has opened up completely. The crowds of chocolate connoisseurs are still there buying their tablettes of single origin chocolates, truffles and novelty shaped lips and golf balls, but there are also those that are sitting down to a cup of coffee and hot chocolate, made with their famous Belgian couverture chocolate. Reg, the affable gentleman who had previously showed me such courtesy is behind the counter and shows me the new range and packaging.
Heavenly truffles $9 per 100grams
Real Cocoa Bean display
Single Origin Chocolate tablettes
The best sellers and the trends that they spotted last time were the Single Origin chocolates which now fly off the shelves where cocoa beans are sourced from the various area around the world and each chocolate has a different cocoa content from a mild milk chocolate at 34% to one for the hardcore dark chocolate fan, the Tanzanie chocolate at 75%.
Single Origin Chocolate tablettes
Unlike some of the supermarket chocolates with the high cocoa content of 70% or 80% which are too bitter to be eaten, these are so subtly and well blended that they are made to be eaten, indeed the Tanzanie chocolate tablette at 75% cocoa is one of the best sellers. Even I, not normally a dark chocolate eater, know that Colefax do the best dark chocolate and will only buy dark chocolate here.
Dark Almond Slabs $15
The divinely crunchy coffee beans appear on shelves alongside panned caramelised Chocolate Macadamias, sultanas as well as a new item, the Chocolate Almond thins and the Coconut Rough thins. Designed as a chic alternative to the After Dinner Mint, these are made using the finest almonds and have a delightfully crisp crunch. If anyone were to ask me what the difference between a regular nut chocolate and a Colefax one was, I’d say not only is the chocolate superb but the nuts and coffee beans themselves are so freshly roasted and crisp, it’s gives it an altogether different experience.
Truffles $9 per 100grams
Dark Coffee Beans-the best ever $15
The coffee beans, my husband’s favourite, so much so that I had to ration him on them for fear of having a husband hopped up on chocolate and caffeine are there, and apparently they go very well with a beer! Who’d have ever thought of pairing the two…
Coffee Lounge cake display
But onto the chocolate and coffee lounge where we’re sitting at the table towards the back. The shop itself is very parent friendly and apparently during the weekday mums with their prams stake out this table as it’s easy to park prams around it and the ramp ensures easy access to the lounge. I take a peek at the menu and there is an assortment of coffees and teas (which all come with a complimentary chocolate truffle from the monthly selection, yep the gorgeous little things that sit in the glass cabinet) for $3-$4.50 for a regular size. The new Italian barista with the fetching smile was a former barista at the Armani cafe in Italy. Yes the Giorgio Armani.
Hot lips!
But because the weather outside this spring day is a beastly 12 degrees, my husband opts for a hot chocolate, the only problem is deciding on a flavour of the 8 varieties. Among them there is Aztec (with chili infused hot chocolate), Angel Wings (hot milk with white chocolate) Brown Sugar (caramel and milk chocolate) and Darkolishious (hot milk and 70% dark chocolate). We get a Chocolat (hot milk and milk chocolate). I am intrigued by the Chill outs, a blend of milk, chocolate ganache and crushed ice.
Choc Rocks Chill Out $5.60
My Choc Rocks Chill out is sweet and cold, similar to a frappe but with tiny choc flakes dotted throughout. Delicious!
Chocolat Hot Chocolate $5.80
The prize however is the Hot Chocolate, the Chocolat is a delicious glass of the most delicious liquid couverture, not too thick, not too thin, just right. The kind of drink that you’d prefer not to share with anyone and territorially keep to yourself.
Mini Coconut cake $2.80
Coffee $3.50 with truffle of the day
Reg chats to us about how he can read the state of the economy through chocolate sales, when the economy is booming companies spend more on chocolates, when it isn’t, they spend less.
At home I can’t wait to try the boxed selections. The Dark Almond slabs are absolutely delicious, the finest dark chocolate paired with fresh almond splinters. I want to save these for a dinner party but I know they will be gone (and the dinner party is only on in a few day’s time). Same for the Milk Coconut Rough squares, which my husband adores. They’re delicious and a square would be perfect for subduing that rampant sugar hit.
The Caramelised Dark chocolate macadamias are heavenly, the large whole macadamias lightly coated with a crispy toffee crunch and then enrobed in dark chocolate.
Even the Milk panned sultanas are a cut above, the lovely squidgy sultanas and the Belgian couverture temptingly good. And of course I need to ration my husband on the Dark Chocolate Coffee beans. He has already wolfed down a large handful in excitement.
Trying the three tablettes of Single Origin cocoa bean chocolate, we find that they’re all indeed distinctly different with varying notes. The descriptions on each are quite accurate and surprisingly, a couple of little cubes of these are satisfying which leads a friend to suggest them as a dietary measure.
There’s nothing quite like chocolate, and nothing quite like a prepared perfectly hot chocolate.
Colefax Chocolates
78 Ramsay Street
Haberfield NSW 2045
Tel: +61 (02) 9798 2022
Open Monday-Saturday
Vegetarian options: Cakes, chocolates and coffees so most things are vegetarian friendly
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20 Comments | Add your own
Send dark almond slabs my way, thank you.
Oh NQN, that looks so delicious! I must go!
Great review! Makes me want to jump on a plane and come to Sydney to try the place out! Enjoy your goodies.
My boyfriend is still scared of driving on sydney roads despite living there for almost 10 months now. He is clueless about cars and doesn’t even know where to service it! (apparently the fancy auto shop around the corner is far too intimidating).
This chocolate shop gives me good reason to coerce him into driving me to Haberfield. And then to Shanghai night which I see that on my trusty whereis map is not too far away!
You are quite right about supermarket dark chocolate being too bitter. The only dark chocolate that I like is the Moser roth from Aldi! And combined with my weakness for almonds, I will make a beeline for the dark almond slab.
I also love the novelty of an Italian Armani barista! What a heavenly place… Thank you NQN
I was stopped in traffic next to this store the other day - so drool worthy.
Lorraine - my husband and I own Perama Greek Restaurant in Petersham.
cheers Belinda.
Lorraine, I love Colefax in Haberfield. It is such a special place and the strawberry ganache lips are not only heavenly delicious but darn sexy.
MMM chocolate and coffee… my two favs! Looks absolutely devine!
Add this one to my must-visit list, definitely.
Belinda - I love your restaurant! In fact it was recommended to me by a greek friend as the only place (aside from her family home) to eat greek in Sydney.
Wow a barista who used to work for the Armani cafe? Is he there everyday?
A coffee and chocolate combination looks truly delectable!
Now this is my kinda place ^^! As usual you know how to sell places and foods through your blog
Mmmmm so want to try the chocolate covered coffee beans and and the Brown Sugar hot chocolate sounds perfect and and the coconut rough and and the coffe/chocolate art is soo pretty^^!
wow the chocolates look delish! i feel like i need a square of those dark chocs now.
Hi justJENN-You’ll have to pick up your own, mine are long gone
Hi Reemski-I wish I knew about it during winter. Oh how a hot chocolate would have helped me through it
Hi Cathy-Thanks so much!
And chocolate is definitely a good reason to jump on a plane.
Hi Maria-I kind of feel his fear, I’m going for my L’s driver’s license this week. Although filling his stomach with all sorts of goodies is definitely a good motivator.
As unchic as Aldi is, I agree their chocolates are great. All of the ones I’ve seen are made using cocoa butter and they’re superfine in texture (except for some horrible cherry and turkish delight balls we got once).
The dark almond slab was my favourite, as witnessed from how quickly I ate it
You’re more than welcome Maria!
Hi Belimda-Ahhh cool! I must make my way there one day. The menu sounds divine
Hi jules-Oh I didn’t realise they had strawberry in them-an even better excuse to try them!
Hi Teresa-It’s a killer combination isn’t it
Hi SydneyGal-Yes I bet your girls would love it!
Hi Jess-I know, I had to ask “the Giorgio Armani?” and yep apparently so! I’m not sure how often the barista works, I should think every day, she was there on the Saturday
Hi FFichiban-Haha well I don’t work for them, I just like their chocolate. Probably much like most people that visit there!
Hi cyn-The thin squares aren’t too bad for you either which is good. If you can stop eating them of course!
i believe you’ve stumbled upon my idea of heaven on earth! your pictures have improved my day 100%.
Hi grace-Glad I could have been of service!
My boyfriend adores chocolate coated coffee beans too. Might have to visit this shop to see how they compare to the others we have tried
Hi Y-Yes let me know what he thinks of them. My husband is crazy for them-but he must be rationed or else!
Hey NQN,
How did your L’s test go? Will we be seeing you on the roads soon?
Happy safe driving!
Maria
Hi Maria-I got my L’s and am now practising for my P’s. I need to do 120 hours (eek!) and so far I’ve done about 12 so only 10 times more to go
Yup I’m on the road, I’ve been driving on main roads in medium traffic, yet to brave the Harbour Bridge though! Thanks for asking 
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