Boon Chocolates

I only heard about this miniscule chocolate shop because of a review I read in the Sydney Morning Herald. I doubt otherwise I would ever have noticed it– tucked inconspicuously along Victoria Street and eclipsed by the delicious deities of Messina, Infinity Bakery and Mad Pizza (to name a few). The article in the SMH had singled Boon out for its hot chocolate. I decided I had to go and see what all the fuss was about.
The interior of the shop was decorated in rich, chocolatey colours that left me in no doubt of its focus. Within a highly polished glass cabinet lay row upon row of neatly arranged glossy mouthfuls of pralines, truffles and ganaches. Quirky flavours rubbed shoulders with classic combinations: chilli, strawberry, lavender, caramel and mint (to name a few). You feast with your eyes as much as your tastebuds — and each chocolate was so exquisitely decorated that it almost seemed a shame to eat.
Upstairs, comfortable chairs and sofas were arranged in deep mahogany leather. The menu offered a huge array of hot chocolates — some experimental ones which blended chocolate with spices and chilli in Aztecian-​fashion, as well as some more reserved, traditional brews — milk, dark, Belgian or white. I went traditional, and ordered a dark hot chocolate. It came with a shot glass full of smooth chocolate mousse and a praline truffle. The mousse actually out-​shone the hot chocolate — fluffy, rich and woefully inadequate. The hot chocolate was delicious, milky and comforting, but not perhaps worthy of all the fuss. I also couldn’t resist ordering some churros with chocolate. When made well and dunked in molten chocolate, these light and golden sticks of deep fried doughnut are utter heaven. I was disappointed by the slightly overcooked version that we were brought, and most upsetting of all, without the customary dousing in cinnamon sugar. They were OK, but not worth the expense or the anticipation that were expended upon them. In fact, as the ultimate test of deliciousness, some were left untouched.
So, all in all, Boon is a great place to satisfy a chocolate craving. However, the hot chocolate is by no means the best dish it offers. Instead try the desserts and chocolates, and at all costs, steer clear of the churros.