While we all cherish the candies, milk and dark chocolates and cakes, how would you like it, who wouldn't like a dash of luxury to it.
Everyone is entitled for a Royal treatment with Chocolate itself becoming the King. There is a place now in Chennai which gives exactly this experience.Â
Located at the Lobby level itself, on your left, when you enter from the Main Entrance of ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, it's tough not to get attracted to Fabelle Chocolate Boutique.
The spot at ITC is same where Nutmeg used to be, which has not now taken up a small space within Mercara Express.Â
ITC Hotels had forayed into the luxury chocolate segment with Fabelle brand, launching their first Boutique in Bangalore, followed by Kolkatta and now it's our Chennai.Â
In an endeavour to create the best chocolate in the world, Fabelle aims to redefine the luxury chocolate segment in India.
It took about nine years of research, planning, getting the best experts on Board, to put together the elegant brand called Fabelle.Â
Stepping into the Boutique, the first thing that comes to my mind, is the story of Hansel & Gretel. While I hate the story as such, the only thing that is most enticing in the fable is the Chocolate and Candy Cottage. While that one belonged to a witch, this one is part of the Palatial ITC Grand Chola, known for its grandeur and hospitality.Â
A group of us Foodies, Bloggers were invited to experience Fabelle on its formal launch.Â
Luxury spells at every corner of the place. The colour chocolate has climbed up the wall too and the golden hues. Grand chandeliers, grey couches, pink and white cushions and super hospitable staff. It is not too huge, but adequate to cater to it's guests. Â
There's a short and sweet menu and every staff member is very well trained about every aspect of the Boutique. Before showcasing the Boutique, we were informed about the types of cocoa, sources of ingredients, Experts involved, and how the brand evolved and the process of execution, at the BoardRoom. This was the apt way to see the chocolate world and get engrossed there.Â
Chef Harpawan Singh shared with us how orders can be placed through a Tablet for customised products. The temperature controlled display cases set to the ideal centigrade apt for the chocolate masterpieces. Â
The best way to start the chocolate journey is with the Elements Range of handcrafted pralines.
These are something that can be bought anytime, best for gifting or just like that. The smallest pack comes with five chocolates inspired by the five elements.Â
Earth: It has Dark Chocolate and dark mousse within, round in shape and covered with tiny balls dusted with cocoa and overall gives an earthy feel in look as well as taste.
Water: This definitely made me guess about the sea salt, an element that says it all. It is made with Dark Chocolate and dark mousse, with the exotic acacia nectar and sea salt within. Well, the ingredients speak for themselves, and justify the prices.Â
Wood: Now, how would you imagine a log to be? Here's Cinnamon, Coffee and Dark Mousse. Â
Air: I was most intrigued by this. It has Dark Chocolate and Aerated Mousse within. Just vanishes once you place in the mouth.Â
Fire: I tried this the last. Well, was a bit apprehensive hearing the name. It has Dark Chocolate, White Mousse, Ancho Chilli and Candied Mango. Very intelligent choice of ingredients and the way it has been put together. The Ancho chilli hits after you finish having the praline. Interesting.Â
I loved the Water and Air elements most.
These would cost Rs 400 for the above five pieces. Each one is bite size. A box of 10 would make you shell Rs 750. I find this complete value for money, the main reason being, all the prices are All Inclusive. Yes, the rates include taxes and guess what, good thing is that they do not levy any service charges. So, the prices mentioned is all that you have to pay. Very good deal, I must say. Â
Next we couldn't wait to try the Ganache range. I was very curious to see what have they churned out in this category.Â
The Ganache pieces are available in tiny bite sizes The minimum you can buy is a pack of 20 pieces, and I can tell you, there's no use of any smaller quantity as these disappear as soon as they are bought.Â
There's the Fabelle Rich Dark Ganache which is made using chocolate from Ghana and the Ivory Coast, is very very light. Looks like a bar, it has a cocoa dusting with butter and fresh cream within. May feel a bit bitter at the beginning, but you get addicted. This would be a connoisseurs delight.
Now, before moving on to the Special desserts, there was an exciting activity lined up for us.
I would recommend to try the As you Like It box. The speciality of these pieces are that you are free to customise them, as you like it. You can use the Tablet to order this as it gets way easier.Â
Choose the chocolate cups first.
Pick which filling would you like, from the seven options
Select your choice of toppings.
They do it for you and you can see it live on Tv or in person. That's damn quick. The cups are micro mini, and bite size, but very satisfying.Â
If you wish, you could even go by the menu page, where the Chef's has already given some interesting recommendation.Â
Since it was a food bloggers meet, we were given the opportunity to create the cups ourselves. This was way too much fun.
Me and my friend Sindhu, together created six personalised cups and my favourite was the one with sea salt as base, milk, white and dark chocolate, choco chop and a bit of almond flakes. The one was with caramel, yummm.Â
Well, this was just the beginning.Â
There's a lot of magic that Fabelle offers.Â
The actual scene begins when you get on to the Desserts page.
Now was the turn of the signature creation:
They have quite a few, we were demonstrated one.Â
Fabelle Chocolate Flower
Mousse of single origin St Domingue 70% dark chocolate enriched with Turkish pistachio cream, balanced with raspberry confit, in a dramatic setting of a chocolate flower, set to unfold at your table. This is straight out of the Masterchef episodes. Just sit and watch and yeah, no one can Not record this Theatre.
They have Entremets, Signature Creations and Dreams.Â
French desserts are known for being flamboyant and here are the Febelle Entremets presented in the most glamorous way. Chocolate Entremets, a classic French confection, styled with layers of mousse, crĂšme, biscuit and often a hint of crunch, equally adored for their beauty as much as for their taste.Â
Ghana Milk Chocolate Mousse with Caramel and Banana Creme: Well, if am not told what the dessert is, I would have never guessed it.
33 % milk chocolate, notes of toffee, vanilla and coconut, complimenting layers of caramel and luscious banana crĂšme on thin hazelnut crisps. Do I really say anything about it. Magical.Â
Every Entremet is an eye candy.Â
Fabelle Black Forest Revisited
Sour cherry confit accentuating the vibrant berry notes of 64% Manjari dark chocolate, balanced with elegant Madagascar vanilla bean crĂšme: This changed all my memories of Black Forest and I don't think I can go back to the retro version.Â
Â
Fabelle Premium Almond and Coriander Praline Tartine
Warm notes of 33% Ghana milk chocolate paired with Mandarin orange for a light cremeux, brittle coriander and almond praline in cocoa-almond tartine. So so pretty. Rich yet light on tummy.Â
Fabelle Ăclair Venezuela:Â
Ăclair of single origin 72% Venezuelan chocolate augmented with rich caramel notes of dulcey cream and garnished with gold pepin. Some art there. This didn't feel as heavy as it looked. The only dessert that had some hard textures.Â
Fabelle is not confined to eatables alone, there are chocolate based drinks too. We were served two of those. Both hot ones.Â
Fabelle Milk Cocoa
Pistachio-almond âTorroneâ nougat chunks, in a rich re-assuring hot chocolate. Frankly I was too stuffed with chocolates for a day and it was tough for me to appreciate any more sweet. We had to go in for some savouries, before getting back to the chocolates.Â
If you are a hot chocolate person, this is for you.Â
Fabelle Smores Chocolate Milk
An American classic, this is a pure Ghana Milk Chocolate with flame charred marshmallows and sinful choc-chip. Marshmallow lovers and those who like the American hot chocolate can relate to this very well. For me this is partial meal in itself.Â
Well, Fabelle is a heaven for chocolate lovers. It is 24/7 open and I have high words for the Chef, concept, staff and quality of every dish. I need to keep going back here for my chocolate dose.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes