Delicious treats from the Northern Quarter
With Easter fast approaching, we’ve been checking out Bonbon Chocolate Boutique in the Northern Quarter and chatting to chocolatier Sharon about some of her favourite flavours.
Regular foodie blogger Elaine and photographer Jenny were our lucky chocolate tasting duo! But we haven’t kept all the good stuff to ourselves – read on and you too could be getting chocolatey with our top Bonbon competition!
I say forget diamonds, chocolate is a girl’s best friend (well for this girl it is anyway!).
Especially chocolate that is made with love and has exciting flavour combinations.
I like chocolates you can savour and really enjoy, so when Sharon from Bonbon Chocolate Boutique came to tell us about what she does AND brought some to try I was very happy indeed.
Sharon has been making her own chocolates for just over a year and started by selling at local markets before Bonbon opened its doors.
The boutique and cafe is tucked away on a corner of John Street and has just four tables inside to sit and enjoy their famous hot chocolate – some say the best in Manchester – or some of those renowned cakes from sister company Teacup Kitchen.
Handmade chocolates
Sharon prides herself on making all the chocolates and truffles by hand. She makes 100’s per day using fresh ingredients and no preservatives so they are actually better for you (good news) and many varieties are vegan or dairy free too, including the hot chocolate.
Known for their flavour combinations, the chocolates are crafted so that you can taste all the different elements throughout.
We asked Sharon which was the most unusual flavour and without hesitation she told us it must be the Stilton & Caramel! However it’s one of the most popular flavours and so she makes them every week.
Our selection was less controversial but very enjoyable all the same.
Pistachio & Vanilla
A light vanilla cream centre that you actually taste first before the rich dark chocolate coating and then a subtle nutty flavour from the pistachio on the outside.
Coconut & Lemongrass
Toasted coconut pieces on a Valrhona milk chocolate shell. Inside is a fresh tasting lemongrass ganache – full flavoured but not overpowering. I would liken it to the ultimate Bounty, all that is missing is your own dessert island to enjoy it on.
Rose & Cardamom (v)
Dark chocolate with a gloriously perfumed centre. The filling has warmth from the cardamom and then the rose flavour really comes through to finish. It genuinely makes your mouth water and I think this is my favourite of the four.
Salted Caramel
A combination that is always a winner in my house. This unassuming looking cocoa dusted dark chocolate is generously filled with liquid salted caramel gold. You could very easily eat another so you get the enjoyment of the shell cracking and the caramel pouring out.
Chocolate and wine matching
If this has tempted you to pay a visit, Bonbon is open from Wednesday to Sunday (Monday and Tuesday are spent making more chocolates for us all).
There is also an upcoming event with Hanging Ditch where six of Sharon’s creations are being wine matched. Bon’ditch as the evening is called takes place on the 16th April (see Hanging Ditch website for details).
Competition time
We’ve got a Bonbon Golden Ticket gift voucher (redeemable to the value of £10) and a box of luxury handmade chocolates to give away.
All you need to do is leave a comment in the box below telling us all about your favourite chocolate story.
Me – It would have to be a trip to a chocolate factory in Switzerland where the air was so thick with the smell of chocolate you could almost eat thin air!
Bonbon Chocolate Boutique, 9 John Street, Manchester, M4 1EQ
Website: bonbonchocolate.co.uk
Tel: 0161 839 4416
Email: hello@bonbonchocolate.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.com/BonBonChocolateWorkshopt
Twitter: @Bonbon_NQ
Elaine x
Photographs: Jenny McAvoy, Bonbon
Other restaurant & café reviews:
Teacup Kitchen – Northern Quarter
Ginger’s Comfort Emporium – Afflecks Palace
Caffine & Co – Longford Park Chorlton
Manchester Food & Drink Festival preview
Salvis – Exchange Square, Manchester City Centre
The Parlour – Beech Road, Chorlton
Stock Restaurant – Manchester City Centre
Etrop Grange – Manchester Airport
Thomas Restaurant – Northern Quarter
The Blue Pig – Northern Quarter
By taking part in this competition you are agreeing to 4Manchester Womens Terms & Conditions for competitions and prize draws.
Competition closing date: 9pm Monday 21st April 2014.
The winner will be the first name selected at random from all respondents. No purchase necessary. No cash alternative. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date is 9pm Monday 21st April 2014. The winners will be notified immediately. Only one entry per person. UK entries only. No automated entries. Supporting ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions and loquax. If you are a lucky winner, your contact details will be forwarded to the providers of the prize, strictly for the purpose of fulfilling the prize and not for any other purpose.
Please note: Should you be notified as the winner, and you do not respond within 2 days of our notification, we reserve the right to re-draw the winner.
Previous competition winners (last 6 months)
The Perfect Princess Party – win a Princess fancy dress outfit (14th October 2013). Winner Emma Wolski.
MINILAND Manchester – win a family day pass to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester (6th November 2013). Winner Andrea Lloyd.
New trends Christmas decorations – win a John Lewis Christmas 2013 teddy (11th November 2013). Winner Rachael Barratt.
Luxurious home products – win a throw from Linen Loft (15th November 2013). Winner Chris Fletcher.
Personalised Christmas Gifts – win a personalised mug from Photobox (18th November 2013). Winners Katrina Steward, Nicola McConnell.
Bathroom makeover – win a selection of pamper products (14th January 2014). Winner Georgina Jacobs.
Travelling with Kids – win Cryin Air travel packs (22nd January 2014). Winner Lily Bowers.
Farmhouse Breakfast Week – win a breakfast hamper (27th January 2014). Winner Janet Rumley.
Easy Valentine Heart Cookies – win heart shape cookie cutters (3rd February 2014). Winner Donna Lawton.
Black Dog branches into fashion – win a designer t-shirt (5th February 2014)
Interview with Rianna Phillips – win a designer mini pouch (11th February 2014). Winner Laura Vitty.
Ethical African Bags – win a BagsandMore demi lune bag and scarf (3rd March 2014). Winners Sandy Hendry and Jenny Miller.
Manchester Fashion Bee – win an Essential Burt’s Bees Kit (11th March 2014). Winner Angela Norton-Kelly.
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – win a Mum’s Mumisms typography print (19th March 2014). Winner Natalie Gillham.
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Thank you so much to everyone who entered our competition. The winner is Bonnie King.