I may have found the ultimate hot chocolate. Not surprisingly I found it in Melbourne which has, without a doubt, some of the most incredible hot chocolate experiences of anywhere I’ve been.

And today I am madly in love with East Elevation. You walk through a large red door and enter an incredible space with cathedral ceilings and sun shinning through skylights. The whole place is a sort of indoor kitchen garden with sunflowers, herbs and other sprouts thriving off all the light. It put a smile on my face as soon as I walked through the front doors and that smile didn’t go away until long after I left.

For one, the food is beautiful thanks to Head Chef Bryan Edwards. I had spicy cannellini beans with chorizitos and hand rolled mozzarella with a corn and oregano salsa on sourdough toast which was delicious. I was tempted to lick the plate after but needed to save room for my hot chocolate.

Chocolate company Monsieur Truffe is responsible for the incredible hot chocolate. It started out as a one-woman operation at the Prahran market in 2008 and has since grown to have stores in Collingwood and East Brunswick. East Elevation shares their building with  Monsieur Truffe. A glass wall divides the two spaces. From our seat you could see all of the machines they use to make the chocolate including one large contraption with massive granite wheels that was stirring a large vat of rich oozy dark chocolate. How perfect is that.

In terms of hot chocolates they have several options to choose from and I have tasted a few of them now. Their classic offering is a house blend with 70% cocoa is perfect and I recommend you start there. Once you have tasted that, or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous, you can also have mayan chill, as well as a selection of regularly changing single origin chocolates including from Venezuela (66%), Brazil (80%) Vietnam (64%) or my other favourite, Madagascar (75%). The hot chocolate is melted in steamed milk and comes in a beautiful glazed ceramic mug on a wooden plate with a small wooden spoon and a little square of dark chocolate. I could find no fault. I loved everything about it, the presentation, the atmosphere, the quantity given, the temperature, watching the Monsieur Truffe sisters doing their magic in the chocolate laboratory behind the glass wall. Then of course the drink itself was smooth and velvety, rich and creamy. This must be the ultimate hot chocolate experience.

Verdict: I can find absolutely no fault with this hot chocolate (and for only AUD$5!). It and everything else about East Elevation is perfect in my eyes.  East Elevation, 351 Lygon Street, Melbourne, Australia

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