Although petite, the chocolate lounge gives guests a chance to enjoy a cozy ambiance upstairs, decked like a library with chocolate-based reading material shelved in its interiors. You can start your mornings with a juicy breakfast with their great selection of hot and cold beverages, chocolate drinks, coffee, tea and fresh juices.

Waleed Hambishi, the founder, expressed his passion by delving into chocolate stories while helping out in his glass view kitchen. His wife promised the hot chocolate would bring you back, as it is her premium secret recipe. He explained how their dream on paper turned into a reality:

“We educated ourselves about chocolate and explored the chocolate world by attending chocolate exhibitions, such as Salon de Chocolat in Paris. We also started tasting all good chocolates wherever we traveled, which was mainly in Europe,” said Waleed.

Chocolat is unique in its premium quality, and the owners promise it depicts the same value and relevance, whatever the occasion. Their chef, Benoit Vidal, was trained via pastry and chocolate apprenticeships in his native country, France. His broad experience includes leading international supermarket chains and 5-star hotels in the GCC.

“Applying his chemistry mastery, he has expertly amended the authentic French methods to eliminate alcohol from the recipes without diminishing results,” explained Waleed. Vidal’s life’s passion is creating a perfect balance of flavors and sweetness, again and again, through chocolate. His dark chocolate and chocolate fingers, along with his other assortments, are a fresh vibrant theme for Jeddawis.

“Each product has been prepared on the premises from raw ingredients of the highest caliber. Known for its supreme quality and exceptional versatility, this source of imported Belgian chocolate is made from the finest selection of cocoa beans in the world,” added Waleed. “Our philosophy says: There are two kinds of chocolate — one that melts in your mouth and one that gets you to melt on it.”

Every delectable item at Chocolat shares one quality: perfect balance. Perfect for a gift or secret stash are their selective variety of chocolates and cakes with delectable fillings, such as creamy ganache, praline, marzipan, fruit-filled infusion, and, of course, chocolate. Desserts of splendor will tempt you further as will their made-to-order breakfast pastries and entrées. You can even have your chocolate in fondue, melted in pancakes and crepes.

We can’t promise you will go back for more, but every chocolate lover will want to test the horizon, and this is on the list for your next chocolate adventure. Their orange chocolate mousse is stimulating and will have you stirred. If you are a fan of raspberries, try that combination with chocolate — a genuine mix of sweet and sour. Last, but not least, you must try their chocolate cake layers with hazelnut crunch and biscuit layer. This is one you won’t want to share!

(02) 606-8830

The Courtyard, Bin Sulaiman Center Prince Sultan St., Al Khaldiya, Jeddah

• Mornings: (Sat. to Thurs.) from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Evenings: (Sat. to Fri.) from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.