Cacao Lab - the new destination for chocolate lovers

Cacao Lab

Cacao Fine Chocolates & Patisserie have just opened the new Cacao Lab in Driver Lane in the heart of Melbourne. Pastry chefs and chocolatiers Laurent Meric and Tim Clark have fused together a science laboratory and a gourmet chocolate shop in the fun atmosphere of the new chocolate lovers haven.

The Cacao Lab front display window has four large hand-blown glass domes descending from the ceiling covering gorgeous cakes on a white tiled surface. These entice you to step inside the modern store to admire (and eat) the delectable delights on display. Each creation is a work of art in its own right.

The custom made orange resin display counter and orange tables provide a dash of color to the clean bright white surrounds that seat 22 people.

A wide selection of freshly baked pastries, warm savouries, baguettes, decadent cakes, mouth watering macarons, luscious handcrafted chocolates and brightly colored éclairs tempt the senses.

Cacao Lab chocolates

Cacao Lab chocolates come in many mouth watering varieties which can be purchased individually or boxed. Flavours include Apple, Bastien, Burnt orange, Cacao, Cafe au lait, Calin caramel, Dimitri, Fleur de sel, Gianduja, Mandarin, Camille, Muscadine, Pina Colada, Ruby, Rum raisin truffle, Rose, Spark, Truffle Noire, Valentin heart and Wild passionfruit. Some are round, some square, some rectangular, and all are intricately decorated so that each one stands out as an individual. My birthday wish? To enjoy each one of these on the hour throughout the day. That would be a most wonderful chocolate birthday!

The Cacao Éclairs are a modern twist on the classic éclair. They combine eclectic designs with innovative taste sensations and include salted caramel, pistachio crème and strawberry jelly Pinocchio, red and white striped Where’s Wally, lemon Leroy and vanilla-rose Audrey Hepburn.

They have a large range of macarons which come in all flavours, including Creme Caramel, Dark chocolate, Lemon, Raspberry, Pistachio, Milk chocolate banana, Violet & Cassis, Peanut butter & chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate, Cookies n cream, Violet & cassis, Cafe au lait, Salted caramel, Eye of the Tiger, New York Cheesecake and the Jam & Cream Lamington.

Cacao Lab hot chocolate drink

The Cacao Lab serves both hot and cold chocolate drinks from huge tanks of house-made chocolate. I chose the salted caramel, my wife chose the chai and our friend chose the signature blend, made from the finest Belgium chocolates. These were divine winter warmers.

The hot chocolate drinks are Lab themed hot chocolates. The various components came out individually and we had the joy of mixing them to our own tastes. The frothed milk came in a brown and white cup, the hot chocolate came in a clear glass beaker, and the chocolate shards came in a small white dish. Of course, as I am a chocolate lover, I used every single last drop of all the components to make the most delicious hot chocolate ever. They also offer a chilli hot chocolate.

Cacao Lab chocolate milkshake

Rather than a hot chocolate drink, our son chose a chocolate milkshake, which was presented in a large glass beaker with colorful straw. This not only looked superb to the eyes, but he said it was the best chocolate milkshake he has ever tasted. He also enjoyed the exquisite Chocolate Mousse cake, made with an Oreo biscuit, Irish creme and chocolate mirror glaze with little macaron shells. A delight to look at and a delight to eat.

Cacao Lab strawberry tart

I chose the strawberry tart garnished with a marshmallow swirl, my wife chose the decadent chocolate Ferris Wheel cake with passionfruit, and our friend chose a Pistachio macaron and éclair. We found the task of selecting our chocolate treat difficult as they all looked gorgeous in the display cabinet. The next time we fly down to Melbourne we will have to go back to the Cacao lab and dine on the other treats, as this is the chocolate dessert lover’s heaven.

For gift giving, a wonderful range of wooden boxes, party boxes, gift hampers, macrons, chocolate selections and gift certificates are on offer either in the store or online. For those people fortunate to live or work in the Melbourne Metro area a four hour delivery service is available for orders placed before 1.30pm. They produce an email newsletter that you can subscribe to so you can be kept up to date.

Cacao Lab chocolate treats

If you are thinking chocolate and dessert then Cacao Lab is the place to go.

Cacao Fine Chocolates & Patisserie have their Cacao Lab located at Driver Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000. This is a cute laneway off Little Bourke Street, just behind the H&M store in the old GPO building.

The phone number is 03 9662 4777.

Opening Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9am - 6pm; Thursday, Friday, 9am - 9pm; Saturday 9am - 6pm; Sunday 10am - 5pm.

Cacao Lab glass domed cakes

Other Cacao Fine Chocolate & Patisserie stores can be found in Fitzroy St, St Kilda, Westfield Doncaster, and Highpoint Shopping Centre.

Website: http://www.cacao.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CacaoFineChoc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cacaofinechoc