Choko La started out as a one-stop chocolate shop. You have a lot more on the platter now. We are still chocolatiers but one needs to supplement the business. But I'm very particular that the taste and quality of our food is as good as the chocolates we make. We have also started catering food. What's the highlight of your summer menu? This season, our carte du jour is aimed at recharging, detoxifying, protecting your body against illness or simply topping up your vitamin levels. I have brought in cheerful colours on the table. Then, there is the "vitality" menu on which we have a variety of cooling shakes. Try the Vitality Shake "" a blend of cucumbers, green apples and black berries. Or the Fruit Loop "" a mix of grapes, kiwi, passion fruit and pineapple. If you're in the mood for a light lunch, we have a soothing "liquid meal" for you. |
How has the "liquid meal" worked?
It's basically a combination of two shakes. I have taken this concept with me across the world, but this is the first place it has worked well. As a community, we are becoming health-conscious. In fact, we had a big order for liquid meals for a kitty party recently.
How have you adapted your Mediterranean menu to the Indian palate?
Our clientele is a mix of expats and Indians. While Europeans like less spices, that works out a little bland for us Indians. So I have tried to make the food more spicy than it is supposed to be, while not making it over the top.
But chocolate can never take a backseat in your kitchen...
Oh no. We have a few out-of-the-box pastries on the counter currently. There's the Black Forest Sandwich which I put together in a moment of madness. I had seen it somewhere and wanted to recreate it. We even tried fruit dogs, dessert hamburgers, tiramisu sushi and pinacolada cake.
So you still see most of your clientele at dessert time?
Not really. Early afternoons are the busiest. In fact, we came across mothers complaining that there weren't any bistros that opened early enough for them to catch a coffee after they dropped their kids to school. So we decided to open at 8 am.
