I always think of male chocolatiers as a little bit Willy Wonka and female chocolatiers as a little bit Vianne (played by Juliette Binoche) in the film Chocolat. Female chocolatiers would have a softer, deft touch with the customers and sense intuitively what their needs and wants are as soon as they walk in the door. Profiling via chocolate if you will.
We were hot and a touch cranky when we were walking through Kirribilli. It was an unseasonably warm day and I had dressed all wrong. The car was parked a bit further away than we wanted as it was Kirribilli Market Day. I had my parents with me and I wanted my mum to choose a gift for her birthday from Coco Chocolate, a newish chocolate shop that had only opened up a few months ago. I had also forgotten to write down the address for it so I was cranky at myself more than anything. Then out of nowhere, there was a pretty sandwich board on the main street of Kirribilli and it pointed us in the right direction. I went from lost-at-sea-with-parents to a purposeful guide within seconds. I looked up and what had to be one of the prettiest, girliest shopfronts greeted me in a little side street of Kirrbilli.
Tattoo Collection
I opened the door and was greeted with cold air conditioning which was most welcome on this hot day and the whole store was just what I needed. It’s a tiny shop absolutely, not enough room to swing a cat really and come Easter I’m quite positive that the store will be knee deep in North Shore socialites buying sweet things for their families and friends. There is a steady stream of customers and the owner Rebecca greets us and lets us know that if we want anything to let her know. Phew, no hard selling. Originally a shop in Edinburgh Scotland, Coco Chocolates is also stocked in London at Harvey Nichols and Selfridges. We learn that whilst she is Australian, Rebecca moved overseas to Europe to learn the art of chocolatiering and opened up shop in Edinburgh but the urge to return to Australia was too strong.
Artist’s Collection: Paint Splattered Sugar Coated Dark Chocolate $20
On the counter there are samples of cognac soaked raisins coated in chocolate in olive green and brown as well as samples of pretty flecked chocolate fondant covered in a crisp shell which are like an upmarket Smartie or m&m. Rebecca notices me eyeing them off. “The Art Gallery of NSW are stocking the Picasso range” she says excitedly. The packaging is actually what first drew me to the shop. The drawings are gorgeous and I ask her how they come up with them. She tells me that she draws the initial sketch and then two artists that she works with then develop the sketches into the final designs. Additionally, six times a year they work with Edinburgh Art students to come up with a new design and the winning student has all of their supplies paid for and they also receive a Siren collection and an A4 sized publicity poster in the window.
Cockatoo eggs $13.50
Hot Cross Bun flavoured chocolate bars in white, milk and dark chocolate
Most of the Easter goodies are selling out and there’s a range of freckled eggs with a praline filling including cockatoo, magpie and quail eggs ($13.50). There are peanut butter eggs, rabbits for about $18 each as well as a hot cross bun chocolate bars in white, milk and dark chocolate. I love the sound of the hot cross bun chocolate and we sample some. The white chocolate is particularly good as it allows the hot cross bun spices to come through the most followed by the dark chocolate. Under the counter are the larger eggs which can be filled with your choice of champagne truffles, praline eggs or raspberry slab ($35 each).
Prices are very reasonable with a gorgeous little art box filled with two chocolate discs for $4. “We want to have something for everyone” Rebecca says. They use a mix of organic chocolate and Valrhona chocolate (not organic). We order a hot chocolate from the list of 11 varieties and since my mother likes white chocolate we order her a lemongrass, lavender and vanilla one in a small cup with cream and I order a black pepper hot chocolate in a large cup without cream. There’s the same amount of chocolate in both and the size determines how rich you want it and the choice is up to you.
White hot chocolate with lemongrass, lavender and vanilla $5
The white hot chocolate is lovely with a pronounced lemongrass and lavender aroma which we’re all in love with which is a combination not often seen but it gives it an Asian (lemongrass) and European (lavender) aspect to it. We’re given a sample of white chocolate bark with raspberry which is sweet from the white chocolate and tangy from the dried raspberry pieces.
Black Pepper Hot Chocolate
The black pepper hot chocolate is for those who like their hot chocolate less sweet and creamy as I did not ask for cream (but of course if you do it will be creamier). Here the black pepper is spicy, in fact it reminds me a lot of chilli hot chocolate. It’s paired with a luxury cocoa dusted almond which is lovely and crunchy when I bite into it.
Minted water
Curry Leaf Balls
I get excited when I see packs of crystallised violets and crystallised roses for $4 each (*cough cough* much better than the $15-$20 I’ve seen them for!). They’re imported directly from France in bulk which allows for the reasonable prices. There are also fascinating little items like “Absinthe Grown up Lollies” from France as well as, very curiously, curry leaf balls which are said to taste like chilli with 70% Valrhona chocolate. And yes they do taste like curry spices with chilli!
Large Chocolate Siren Coins
Toasted Hazelnut and Sea Salt
Handmade Organic Rose & Black Pepper Chocolate $7
Below the counter along with the large eggs, is their chocolate bar selection priced at $7 per bar. There are 35 flavours to choose from and she tells us that the most popular flavours in Australia are: milk chocolate with caramel pine nut and salt; white chocolate mixed berry and vanilla and dark chocolate rose & black pepper and dark chocolate ginger & date. We try the organic rose and black pepper, the Taste award winning flavour in 2007 and it’s fragrantly rosy with a spiciness from the black pepper. It’s a bit like a dark chocolate Turkish delight with an unexpected kick from black pepper at the end. She tells us of a funny story of when a friend asked her if she had seen her husband standing outside her Edinburgh shop eating a Mars Bar. Suitably aghast, she devised the milk chocolate, caramel, pinenut and salt bar to replace his Mars Bar habit and we have a try of it. Inside is a gorgeous liquidey caramel and a touch of pine nut and salt (although the latter two aren’t very strong). And yes it’s much better than a Mars Bar, divine in fact.
Siren collection $40
Tattoo collection
The most popular selection is the Siren collection which features 18 of their most popular bars in a bite sized form with the designs made out of cocoa butter that melt away in the mouth. For guys there is the tattoo collection with dice and tattoos made with solid plain chocolate and then there’s the Aphrodisiac collection with flavours like Lily of the Valley. And did you know that in France on the 1st of May you are said to pick a Lily of the Valley and present it to the person that you love?
Aphrodisiac Collection
The Liquor Cherries are a six month process from start to finish. They’re soaked in kirsch and then dipped in organic fondant and then double dipped in organic chocolate. They’re then placed in a cool room for five months in order for the sugar to invert. “Try one” she says and we take a stem and pop it in our mouths. I’m not even a big kirsch lover but the sensation of the almost crisp cherry with kirsch bursting in the mouth with the dark chocolate is heavenly. The cover is funny too-it’s an illustration of the character Madame Cherry, an example of what a 50 plus woman who ate a liquor cherries every day would look like (and she’s thin too!).
Madame Cherry and the liquor cherries
There are connoisseur evenings once a month on a Friday evening where up to eight customers can sit around the table and learn all about the chocolate process from bean to bar.
The tiny shop holds a lot to see, eat and buy and I buy some cocoa nibs, sugared violets and roses, some chocolate and of course the chocolate curry leaves.
So tell me Dear Reader, which Easter food do you most look forward to? The chocolates or the Easter buns?
Coco Chocolate
Shop 12, 3a-9b Broughton St (corner with Bligh St) Kirribilli, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9922 4998
Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10.00 – 6.00pm, Sunday 10.00 – 2.00pm
http://www.cocochocolate.com.au/
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69 Comments | Add your own
For me, it’s the chocolate. All the way. x
Oh my heavens, oh my heavens, oh my heavens. LORRAINE!! You’ve got me all jittery! A chocolatier not too far from Canberra who makes flavoured bars as well as truffles? Black pepper, sea salt, lemongrass, did I say oh my heavens already?!
I’m sorry, I’ve lost all rational thought for the minute.
That does look like a tiny shop! Chocolate can make any day un-cranky!
Wow, this all looks so fabulous – might need to take a road trip to Kirribilli soon! So unusual, and yet so reasonably priced! Thanks Lorraine, I’d never have found this but for your post.
You know what I’m going to say right ? You know when and how we should visit this place in future?
Divine!!
Thanks Loraine for finding another great foodie haven. These chocolates look great and unique. I particularly like the look of the tattoo collection, very imaginative presentation.
I like hot cross buns and chocolate but would have to say that the chocolate wins. I have become very fussy though, so I think I need to go to Kirribilli
I love just going in and surrounding myself with the aromas!
Oooh, I am a chocoholic through and through, Lorraine! I absolutely love this post! The hot cross bun flavored chocolate sounds delicious and I love the tattoo collection!
I love Hot Cross Buns – but I certainly get my chocolate fix over Easter too!
PS – Chocolat is one of my all time favourite movies
I love seeing boutique style chocolate shops- so much nicer than the usual easter eggs/blocks on offer at the local supermarket. Considering that hot cross buns have been around for a few months now and I couldnt resist I am looking forward to some good quality chocolate.
What a beautiful store, Lorraine! I love your pics.
I’m a Hot Cross Bun girl.
Oh, and fish and chips. There’s something about Easter and battered fish.
SSG xxx
oh wow! All the different collections of chocolates are beautiful! and I bet yummy too!
Ooh wow, their chocolates are so purdy! And I love the sound of the black pepper hot chocolate…will definitely have to check them out sometime.
My mouth is simply watering! Sitting here in Melbourne on this rainy Monday morning I would give almost anything to be in that little air conditioned shop tasting the delights that have been created there. I hope they open a store in Melbourne….
I love them both, but as a chocoholic I can’t go past chocolate at Easter. Adore the shop. Must visit.
Oohlala! The hot cross bun chocolates look delish – maybe that’s what Daddy BuBbles will be getting for Easter
Ah, chocolate and Kirribilli – that brings back memories.
I went to primary school at a college in Milson’s Point. Many afternoons, on days when mum had given me “tuck shop money”, that I would have carefully not spent, I would stop into the deli, just next door to the railway station. The deli sold chunks of chocolate in different flavours – very advnaced for the ’70s! For what must have been 50 or 60 cents I’d get a chunk of chocolate and eat it on the train journey home. I remember eventually having molten chocolate all over my hand.
Now, to learn of a real chocolatier in Kirribilli – I must get down there and walk down memory lane!
the toasted hazlenut & sea salt chocolate looks yummy
OMG this is like chocolate heaven! Thanks Lorraine for this post. It goes on my list of places to try..
wow, this shop looks amazing! I might even have to cross the bridge for it!
All of these chocolates are delightful! I walked right by this shop when I was in Sydney the weekend before last but didn’t go in (was going to a wedding at St John the Baptist church just a few metres up the road). I look forward to the chocolate – never been much of a bread girl, although I do enjoy a fresh bun.
Aww the tatoo collection is so pretty! I’m definitely a Hot Cross Buns girl come Easter time!
La fête du muguet! 1er Mai!
These chocolates are fun fun fun! I am getting inspired right now!
WOW~~~
=O…………… *drools!!
i so wanna try the white chocolate with lemongrass, lavender and vanilla!! sounds awesome =)
I am from Canberra..and i was wondering how far is this place from the City? (for obvious reason, i would like to visit there!) THANKS!
I do love a good Hot Cross Bun but it has to be MINUS the revolting fruit peel…
But it’s chocolate all the way for me!
Lorraine, I’m not sure where to begin with. Gosh, I am SOOOOOO JEALOUS! Can we switch spots for a year? heheh!
Love chocolate!
Not having had chocolate for 10 weeks ( I’ve successfully completed my gym programme and lost 8kg) is making me lean towards it rather than hot cross buns. However, hot cross buns are a yearly treat and are so delicious straight out of the oven! Apart from the traditional Italian Colomba ( Easter Dove sweet bread) that my family normally indulge in for Easter breakfast, I bake a recipe that hails from my hometown called Pizza Di Pasqua or Easter Pizza, it’s an aniseed flavoured sweet bread eaten Easter morning with thick,hot choclate.
Good Heavens! I’m not a chocoholic at all but this certainly has grabbed my attention. Gotta see it (and taste for myself) I think!
NQN THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU!
this is my idea of HEAVEN…chocolate chocolate and more chocolate, i can’t eat the alcohol ones, but i am in sydney and will be checking it out SOON…
happy easter everyone
Shakti x
Well, being from South Australia, I would just have to say that Haighs chocolate Bilby is my favourite!
I love hot cross buns so they win over chocolate at easter. Nothing better than a warm hot cross bun with butter!
To me, I think male chocolatiers are sexy…haha!
What amazing chocol-arte! I always love interesting and new places to procure chocolate to satisfy my cravings and this one looks like an absolute winner. I am going to have to go and buy some for my Mother’s birthday – she is an artist and will totally appreciate the individual nature of such a wonderful gift! Great review – Thanks once again, Lorraine!
I love the movie Chocolat!!
What lovely flavour combos!
The lavender, lemongrass And vanilla white chocolate just makes my mouth water!
What a great experience.
http://Www.brisbanebaker.blogspot.com
Mmmmm… Chocolate…
I’m so glad I just made deep rich chocolate espresso cupcakes with caramel or I would be so chocolate deprived right now. I would pick those Madame Cherry Chocolates.
They look like works of art.
I now have this urge to shoot over the bridge before Easter. What amazing chocolates!
a lemongrass, lavender and vanilla white chocolate? Super interesting ! and I am a big fan of iquor cherries
The dark hot chocolate looks really good but I think I will go for the normal one…hehe
oh my goodness those pictures are absolutely swoonworthy!! minted water would be delightful after an augustus gloop-like feasting. very intrigued re: the curry leaf balls and would love to hear the verdict!
My sister makes the most amazing hot cross bun and easter egg bread and butter pudding. She makes it with broken easter eggs and and I look forward to it every year. I’m sure we break more eggs just to ensure we get some more.
What a fabulous looking shop!! All of the pralines are looking the part & are so special too!
Waw!! Why is this shop not in Brussels???
MMMMM,…lovely pictures too,…very inviting too!
The flavours and range sound amazing! And such reasonable prices too… I can’t wait to have a browse here!
Preferably both in a chocolate hot cross bun with LOTS of peel! A lovely discovery and on the RIGHT side of the bridge too!
Thanks for such a decadent post about my favourite food group. It all looks so lovely!
this is definitely more interesting than koko black in melbourne!!
Heheh, and you came away with more than I did! I only got the sugared violet petals =)
Funnily enough all the male chocolatiers I have met are a bit willy wonkaish!
there’s nothing like a little chocolate to improve one’s mood, and that’s the truth.
my favorite easter food this year would be resurrection buns–cinnamon-sugared marshmallows baked in cinnamon-sugared crescent rolls clearly belong at the top of the list.
What a fantastic shop! The chocolates and the packaging are art. My favorite Easter treat is anything with white chocolate. Love it!
Awesome shop, I especially drooled over the white chocolate with so many great things in it…ooh my!
Looks like beautiful chocolate, I will have to check it out next time I go near Harvey Nicks!
Looks like beautiful chocolate, I will have to check it out next time I go near Harvey Nicks!
I’d love to try that pepper hot chocolate, to wash down a big chunk of the hot cross bun chocolate.
It’s hard to choose between the chocolates and the hot cross buns so I’ll refuse to answer!
Funnily enough, I actually had for morning tea this morning a steaming hot hot cross bun with butter AND some pieces of chocolate inside. The chocolate melted and it was lovely 
This looks like such a cute shop!
off to visit the website. I want the tattoo ones for my Damn Emos!
dribbles… i’m gona go eat a block of chocolate now!!!
Hi fat mum slim-haha!
x
Hi Hannah-hehe that’s ok I totally understand. After all there is so much for you to write about here!
Hi justJENN-I totally agree!
Hi Celia-You’re welcome! I hope you like it and get the chance for a road trip!
Hi Liss-haha yes the girls will be in heaven!
Hi Mark-You’re welcome Mark!
Isn’t it gorgeous?
Hi Amy-Hehe yes only the best will do!
Hi Fiona-Good idea!
Hi Faith-Oh fantastic! Isn’t it a great idea!
Hi Lisa-It’s a win win really isn’t it
Mine too!
Hi sandra-I agree!
Yes this is much better!
Hi Sydney Shop Girl-thanks SSG!
Hehe yes it’s all good food! 
xxx
Hi Lianne-they were really delicious!
Hi Steph-they’re worth a trip over the bridge
Hi Cedah-Oh who knows! Maybe they will! I have no idea
Hi Mary-Absolutely!
Hi BuBbles-haha good idea! A combo of both!
Hi mikey-Oh yes I remember those times! what a gorgeous memory!
Hi Betty-it was great especially for dark chocolate lovers!
Hi foodie-central-You’re welcome, I hope you like it!
Hi Reemski-hehe indeed! So worth it
Hi Cakelaw-Ahh yes it’s right near the church! Next time perhaps!
Hi Betty-Isn’t it gorgeous? And I’m not a tattoo person!
Hi tasteofbeirut-Ahh you know all about it!
Fantastic!
Hi Yuki-It was really good, I could go for one right now!
It’s 2 stops away from Town Hall station so not far at all 
Hi Joy-haha yes I’m not a big fruit peel eater too!
Hi Art and Appetite-hehe only if I can have your talent!
Hi Matilda-Good on you! That Colomba sounds really interesting and when you pair it with hot chocolate…!
Hi retired foodie-Hehe wonderful! I hope you like it
Hi Shakti-you’re welcome!
Fantastic and Happy Easter to you! x
Hi Amanda-Hehe very patriotic (or should I say state loyal)!
Hi Camilla-Hmm when you put it that way…
Hi sophia-haha! you are too funny
Hi Sian-Oh yes if she’s an artist she’d love it! You’re welcome!
Hi Brisbane Baker-hehe me too!
Thanks very much 
Hi Phuoc-haha!
Hi Angela-hehe and they looked so fantastic too! :O Hehe good choice
Hi realityraver-Absolutely!
Hi Sara-hehe capital idea!
Hi Ja-yes, it works so well too!
Ooh then you’ll really like these I think 
Hi Lori-Thankyou so much
yes it’s so lovely and refreshing! 
They taste just like curry spices and chilli! 
Hi Lexia-Ooh that sounds divine! :O I love the sound of it and with easter eggs? So indulgently good!
Hi Sophie-it was!
hehe yes they should open one there! 
Hi Karen-I know, the prices were such a surprise and so many flavours!
Hi Moya-Ooh you like peel! Peel can be controversial!
haha!
Hi Christine-haha I like it, favourite food group!
Hi aimee-haha! I’ve only been there once!
Hi mlle délicieuse-We sure did
Hi Gourmet Chick–Isn’t that funny!
Hi grace-I couldn’t agree more my dear Grace! Holy mutha that sounds good!
Hi lisa-Isn’t it divine! ooh then you’d like the hot cross bun chocolate I think!
Hi deana-Hehe it is gorgeous!
Hi Sarah-Ooh yes of course! You can get it there!
Hi Conor-Very diplomatic!
Well now that is evidence of how hard it is too choose!
Hi Blond Duck-it’s like how I would want my shop to be!
Hi Kelley-haha they’d love it!
Hi lily-hehe good idea!
For me its the figolli. Its a maltese traditional Easter sweet. Its technically sweet dough filled with marzipan or almond paste and its covered in chocolate or icing. They are usually shaped of heart, lamb or bunny. Delcious!
oooh! Cocos! I’ve very fond memories of being in the Edinburgh shop. There’s something very, very special about chocolate, paired well.
Oh wow, that white hot chocolate looks divine!
I’m a chocolate fanatic but as hot cross buns aren’t available all year round i’d have to say they are what I look forward to the most.
OMG this place is fantastic! Thanks for the heads up; definitely heading here…and perhaps I get something from here next Valentines too
This place is DEVINE!! =D
You do know how to make me jealous and homesick in one easy stroke!
Well done Lorraine, Coco Chocolate is definitely one of my favourite chocolatiers in Sydney!! Her store is amazing, the packagings are absolutely stunning, and Rebecca is such an amazing lady herself… Every time I go back to the store, I choose a different hot chocolate (last time I had the dark chocolate and black pepper, unreal).
Coco Chocolate is actually one of the chocolate hotspots we visit on my Artisan deluxe Chocolate tour in Sydney, more info on my blog if anyone has chocolate cravings! http://detours.typepad.com/detours/2010/05/10-things-youll-love-about-artisan-chocolate-tours.html
In my quest for a 2kg solid block of dark chocolate, google brought me here. To Coco Chocolate. To heaven. Oh my, my. Suddenly, a new spot to sit & sip. Inspiring post Lorraine – thank you.
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