04 July,2010 10:56 AM IST | | Dhvani Solani
Look closely, and some of the flowers on Aasma Noble's bouquets are chocolates you can pluck and gobble
When we stepped on to the Lokhandwala market curb on a lazy weekend, a signboard left us confused. It said 'Choco Xpress'; a chocolate sandwich-maker and miniature chocolate fountain that stood outside left us salivating.
But then, the window display exhibited elegant floral displays. It took a few steps for us to figure that it wasn't a flower shop masquerading as a chocolate store. In fact, some of the blooms on the bouquets were cocoa sin tucked in jazzy wrapping.
Aasma Noble's chocolate bouquets are different from the ones in the market that combine chocolates with real flowers. "They wither in just two days. That hurts," says the entrepreneur who decided to craft hers with a variety of paper and cloth, embellished with handmade chocolates that you can pluck off the stems.
Take your pick from white or dark chocolates. The fillings include coconut, caramel, mixed fruit and almonds, popular brands Toblerone and Ferrero Rocher and even sugar-free and soft-centre varieties.
Though the smallest bouquets start at Rs 350, we think they border on the tacky. Go for the bigger glamorous ones (up to Rs 2,500). Kiddie bouquets come clipped with balloons and chocolates moulded in the shape of clowns and cartoon characters.
Give Noble enough notice and you can also get a collage of personal pictures printed on the vase (Rs 850).
Coming up: Entirely edible bouquets, balloon art, crystal flowers and chocolates moulded in the shape of actors' faces. We'd like a Johnny Depp, please.
At: Choco Xpress, 6, Greenfield CHS, Lokhandwala, 4th Cross Road, Andheri (W). Call: 67103646
