Rabot 1745

Dos melhores brownies da cidade de Londres. Espaço acolhedor, várias opções de pastelaria e cafés. Local privilegiado junto ao Borough Market!

Other than a latte this morning from a machine (which scored a zero) was our first amazing offering of a flat white in London. The only reason it didn't get a 5 was it wasn't quite hot enough. The flavors were amazing

When a friend suggested going for hot chocolate on a rainy day, I knew I was in for a treat as she always knows some of the best places for hot drinks. The story behind Rabot 1745 is that this cafe is from the people behind Hotel Chocolat. All of the cocoa beans are sourced from their plantation in St Lucia.

When I first heard Hotel Chocolate had opened a restaurant in London, I thought two things – is this a joke and how could they possibly succeed in such a competitive industry. For that reason I’ve been ever intrigued since the day it opened, but like a lot of other restaurants, simply not got round to visiting them yet. Finally after nearly two years since it opened, I’ve made it to Rabot 1745 and I’m so glad I did, because the food here is certainly not a joke – its actually very serious indeed. While the name Hotel Chocolate has always been in my mind for its delicious praline truffles, I’ll never look at the brand the same again, instead I’ll be craving something entirely different – Rabot 1745.

You all know Hotel Chocolat, right? Those little stores, stocked floor to ceiling with chocolatey treats that seem to catch your nose and draw you in like a pig to a truffle*.

But did any of you actually notice when the shop opened? Or when you first went to a Hotel Chocolat? No, me either.

They all just seem to have been there for, well, a while - part of our retail landscape.

Like the well-trained journalist that I am, I headed straight to Wiki to find out more.

Turns out Hotel Chocolat began life in 1988 although it was another 15 years before they got to their current name.

And, since 2006 they’ve even owned their own cocoa plantation, the Rabot Estate in St Lucia, making them the only chocolatier in the UK to do so. They even opened a hotel and restaurant there - well, you would, wouldn’t you.

The Rabot name is what I’m interested in right now as the penny has only recently dropped that Borough Market’s Rabot 1745, from where I’ve enjoyed many takeaway coffees, is actually Hotel Chocolat’s first and only London eatery.

And while the chocolate frames everything they do, there is certainly more to this place than the humble cacao bean.

Arriving an hour early and excessively overdressed on a drizzly Saturday morning, we were shown to our first-floor table, overlooking Bedale Street and the famous old Globe tavern (that you may recognise as the pub above which Bridget Jones lives).

Waiting in a shallow bowl were cacao beans, roasted on-site and ready to be husked and eaten as a very appropriate amuse bouche. Think all of the chocolate taste but with none of the sweetness or smoothness. These bitter and granular bullets are certainly not to everyone’s taste (shown clearly by the fact I ate 2 ¾ of the three beans on the table).

But a crisp, dry, nose-fizzing Prosecco was on hand to wash that intense bitterness away - so all was well!

And then came the Plantation Brunch menu. The temptation was to ask for one of everything, but true British reserve had us focusing on just one dish each.

Owing to too much drink and Disney on Ice the evening before, full breakfasts were quickly ordered, one meaty and one vegetarian, as well as a starter of the most deliciously plump, juicy and ripe fruit I can remember seeing.

The Full Plantation Breakfast was the more traditional of the two plates, with bacon, sausage, egg, mushroom and tomatoes all present.

The Plantation Garden Breakfast was a little bit more racy, with avocado, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes and fragrantly spices lentils all making the team sheet.

Both breakfasts came with sourdough toast (doesn’t sourdough just make the most epically wonderful toast??) and butter spiked with cocoa nibs...well, it wouldn’t be right without a bit of chocolate!

What we had here were great ingredients, simply prepared and presented - why does that seem such a rarity these days?

I have to admit perhaps feeling a little regretful at not being a bit more bullish at brunch and going for something more adventurous - like the nib roast pork belly, shredded ham and cacao bubble and squeak, crispy bacon and creole chutney; or the smoked haddock nib cake, cacao gin-cured salmon, poached egg, white chocolate and horseradish cream.

Sounds good right?!

Just as we were feeling pretty stuffed, we were persuaded (pretty easily) to finish with something sweet - perhaps a brownie or some banana bread...we ended up with both - oops! Both were dense and delicious - and they defeated us. The food definitely won!

For tea, we were similarly reserved although in my defence I never drink any tea other than good old builders. But if you do like your tea fancy, why not go the cocoa shell infusion or the peppermint and cocoa shell.

I’m not going to beat around the bush - or potter around the plantation - here, I really, properly enjoyed brunch here. Everything felt, and tasted, just right.

Through its Rabot 1745 restaurant, Hotel Chocolat is channelling its effortless cool in a way few chain shops or restaurants can achieve.

I loved being the guest of Hotel Chocolat for brunch - it’s always a joy to be treated - but right now I will hand-on-heart promise I will go back to spend my own hard-earned cash on this little gem.

That’s easily the most ringing endorsement I can give...

*I’m not saying any of you are like pigs

Amazing place. Just at the heart of the London Borough Market and you can view from the upper floor, It's unthinkable. The service is great, professional service who were kind enough to explain the heritage and the dishes behind the Rabot. The best thing about this place is that you can taste the fresh ingredients from the Botough Market itself. We tried the Sunday Chicken Roast and Mac and cheese to share among the three of us. The Salted Caramel and Classic Hot Chocolates were yummy and you could smell the rich aroma and taste the quality. The topping to our visit was the Chocolate Sticky Toffee Pudding, made to perfection. A must visit if you are around.

Many thanks Fabio for looking after us and your great recommendations on food and drinks! The whole experience from start to and end was amazing! Food presentation and quality is exceptional and for the price is great value for money. We had dinner at terrace outside with a nice breeze and view over market. Cocktails and rum presentation is something VERY special. Definitely coming back again and letting other people know! Best Edvin

This was my third visit at Rabot and I can honestly say that it was great once again. Loved the food and drinks and the service has been great. Marco was our waiter and he even remembered us from last time we were there as there was a misunderstanding with our booking. Back then he solved it all for us and he ensured this time we had a great experience. He suggested a wine for my fiancé to go with his main meal and he helped me to choose a cocktail. Can’t wait to get back there and have another great meal.

A lovely experience for me. The food was delicious and had a good amount to choose from. Highly recommend the tomato salad as a side dish. The pork was well cooked and really tasty and the BAFTA mousse was absolutely divine. Great service from the team, very engaging, know the menu and very attentive.

Perfect place to start the day! Lovely breakfast with spectacular coffee. Our server was very accommodating and service overall was great. Highly suggest before browsing through Borough Market.