mmmm chocolate

Wellington is blessed in so many ways, not least of all with chocolate shops. I’m not just talking about candy stores which happen to carry a nice range of chocs but full on chocolatiers.

There’s de Spa in the Old Bank Arcade, Butler’s Chocolates on Willis St, and Schoc on Tory St.

De Spa’s home base is Christchurch and they’ve been making chocolates in NZ for about 16 years. They produce what I’d call a traditional range of luxury chocolates. They’re beautifully presented with care and attention. The shop in Wellington is small and hidden in the basement of an arcade. They sell through a couple of other outlets in Wellington too but when I go into their own store in Wellington I always wish it were bigger.

Butlers are one of the new kids in town.  They’re not new to chocolates, just new to Wellington and have opened a chocolate cafe on Willis St. The shop is light and bright and lures you in off the street.  As you sip your latte with a chocolate on the side you can’t help but contemplate the other varieties on offer. Chances are you’ll have been back to the counter before you leave.

And then there’s Schoc.  They have to be my faves no competition.  Before I get lost in the deliciousness that is their chocolate I have to say that their website sucks.  It has been slowly improving but I’d put my money on it being done by a well-meaning amateur.  Still, better than no site at all but I long for the day they lose all that centering - centering is not stylish, it is usually the sign od a DIY designer. Back to the chocolates… They have the most amazing array and again the photos don’t do them justice. The flavours are mindblowing and you should try them all - just not in one visit. You must have the Ginger and wasabi truffle though. Don’t be afraid, it won’t burn your mouth - the delicacy of the flavours will surprise you. High on my list are the Pomegrante truffle, the William Ross fortified cabernet sauvignon truffle and the Boysenberry and Whisky chocolate.

Schoc also have a cafe and their hot chocolates are something special. I just have to have a Lavender hot choc each time I visit. So much real chocolate in the bottom of each cup, you can stir it in or eat it up with the straw spoon in each cup. If the cup were bigger you’d want to dive right in.  I’m pleased the cup isn’t bigger - its a treat, a very rich treat and a bigger portion would ruin the magic of it. Savour the drink and start looking forward to your next visit already.

	de Spa	Butlers	Schoc
Website	Good	Good	Poor
Store ambience	3/5	4/5	4/5
Traditional/Funky	Traditional	Traditional	Funky
Taste+	3/5	4/5	5/5
Approximate cost per chocolate*	$1-1.20	$1.20-$1.50	$1.30-$2

+ For comparison I’d rate Roses chocolates less that 1/5 

*Chocolates are sold by weight so this is an approximation of cost only.