I was only in Auckland for one day, but it was really a great day. We stayed in a fantastic B&B called Sunderland House, and after checking in, ventured around the neighborhood of Ponsonby. Ponsonby is jam packed with great little coffee shops, restaurants and cute little stores. We spent the whole day walking up and down Ponsonby Road and dipping in and out of all the little stores. Towards the end of the road is Ponsonby Central. Opened only last year, this large space is home to a fruit and vegetable market, a butcher, two bakeries, several restaurants, a colorful and eclectic home store and of course a little coffee shop called Toru.
I absolutely loved Toru. The space is very open and is flooded with sunlight. We sat down near the window and from here I could admire all the fun furniture in the store across the way. I ordered one of the three hot chocolates they had on the menu, the most decadent looking one and the most expensive at $7.50. I was expecting a lot at that price. A few moment later I was presented with a small clear glass with hot milk and Valhrona 72% chocolate still melting on the bottom of the glass. It also came with two little Valhrona chocolates on the side.
This hot chocolate definitely needs more love, especially for the price they charge. The glass was too hot to hold and when I finally could hold it the chocolate had dissolved but not completely leaving a short of powdering feeling on my tongue.
Verdict: If you are in Auckland you have to venture over to Ponsonby street for a hot chocolate. I would go back to Toru in a second (and highly recommend Ponsonby Central) but not for the fancy hot chocolate. I probably would have been more satisfied with one of the less expensive hot chocolates they were offering. Toru, 136 Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand
