Sweet Japanese!

When one speaks of fine chocolate, usually the Swiss or the Belgian comes to mind. But with Japanese artistry, courtesy premium Japanese chocolate maker, Royce joining in the feast, the city's chocolate connoisseurs now have a new name to sample from.

Milk Chocolate

Their shop sits in a quiet corner of Palladium - a section where most visitors to the mall wouldn't usually venture. Not everything from their international menu is on offer right now but it includes some of their bestsellers including the Nama, Criollo Chocolates, Potato Chocolate Chips and Prafeuille Chocolat. But when you are paying quite a bit, one would definitely want them to bring in other varieties on stock soon, once they have gauged the market.

Our first try were the quirky Potato Chocolate Chips ('755 for 190 gms). An extremely indulgent snack (in calories and economically), it offers a tasty salt and sugar mix. If you don't plan to eat them at one go, they would have to be stored well as they turn soggy soon. After our experimental run, we opted for a milk chocolate bar ('484) to try their simplest offering. Though not light on the pocket, the quality on offer is worth it with a smooth texture that one can't get enough of.

Potato Chocolate Chips. Pics/Dhara Vora

We saved Nama (Ecuador Sweet flavour, '995) for the end, and were happy with the idea. The creamy delicate piece of chocolate collapsed as it hit our tongue and the dusted bitter cocoa steered it away from being cloyingly sweet. Our purse strings were pinching us by now but we would recommend giving the Prafeuille [3mm thin chocolates with gooey (currently berry)] filling - a try.

For food lovers willing to splurge or gift, Royce offers new delicious options, although we hope that they start selling their other international favourites soon.

At Ground Floor, Palladium mall, Lower Parel.
Call 42951234

Royce didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and paysu00a0for meals.u00a0