Cocoa-Centric Cuisine at Rabot 1745, Borough Market

Seared Tuna at Rabot 1745 - DSC_1698

Rabot 1745 is Hotel Chocolat’s cocoa-based restaurant. Set in the heart of Borough Market with an expansive terrace offering commanding views over the market this shop/café/bar/restaurant is a great place to sneak a chocolate treat, grab a drink (especially if you’re in the mood to peruse a fantastic list of rums – just be sure to enquire about what rums are behind the bar but possibly not mentioned in the drinks list) and/or have a surprisingly sophisticated meal.

It’s a good one to keep in mind as we settle into full-on festive season mode too. Ginormous range Gifts for chocophiles? Check. Attractive Central London bar with a competent staff? Check. Great dining space with some availability left for year end parties? Best call ahead but that was a “check” as of last week.

Rabot 1745 also hosts a range of chocolate events including “Tasting Adventures” and a “Bean to Bar” chocolate making class.

I’d been to Rabot 1745 a few times over the past few years but had never had the pleasure to dine there. After my lunch there last week I realise I’d been missing out. It’s a great, inventive restaurant where novelty (not gimmick) defines a robust menu. Highlights from meal included an intriguing (but deliciously so) main course of rare seared tuna with cacao-creole roast sweet potatoes and spicy cucumber, peanut and coconut salad (£19). Sides (£4.50 each) were tasty too. I especially liked the chips with cacao ketchup and the basil and cocoa nib carrots. A dessert of cacao-honey roast fig with nib ice-cream, Brittany shortbread and conched chocolate sticks (£8) yielded a delightful end. Drinks suited my liking immensely.

Named for the 250-year-old Rabot Estate in St Lucia where Hotel Chocolat sources its cocoa, the restaurant leans on the Caribbean for its creations from the kitchen and the bar. If you like rum and rum cocktails, you’ll be as happy to imbibe here as at any bar in London. I loved working through the stash of bottles of award-winning and ultra smooth Plantation Rum.

LDP 2015.12.12 - Borough Market Wreaths

When you go try to grab a table out on the terrace (or book ahead to secure one). There are space heaters and blankets; so, unless it’s super duper cold outside you should be fine. The privileged views over Borough Market really blew me away.

Rabot 1745 is located at 2-4 Bedale Street, SE1 9AL. Find out more at hotelchocolat.com/uk/restaurants/rabot-1745.

Rabot 1745 Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

About tikichris

Chris Osburn is the founder, administrator and editor of tikichris. In addition to blogging, he works as a freelance journalist, photographer, consultant and curator.
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