(Fon)due Date

These can only be the confections of a dangerous mind – chocolate tapas, Aztec cocoa with chilli and cinnamon, Churromisu with mascarpone cheese, berries with swirls of custard and chocolate. Welcome to San Churro, a new Australia-based chocolateria that along with these, devised many other sins to lure Bandra in on opening day yesterday. Can they sell fashionably fat?

The Brain in Spain

With Spanish tiles, dreamy wall illustrations, free wi-fi and predictably, big brown chairs, this chocolate cafe is quite a delicious den. Making it harder to leave is the sprawling first floor seating area with a huge sun light-loving window. It is by this glass that we parked ourselves last evening, waiting for a Sunday mass of sweets to arrive, watching Bandra’s well-toned arms hesitantly dip into bowls of molten chocolate, comforted by the pieces of fruit on the sharing platter.

We started with the fondue for two, a dish piled high with churros (crispy fried Spanish dessert that we would have enjoyed more with a dusting of cinnamon and sugar), marshmallows, banana slices, and strawberries. All these went spectacularly well with the accompanying bowl of rich molten chocolate that comes in milk, bitter and white versions. At Rs 375, this well endowed dessert for two (and a half hungry friend) turns out to be quite economical, considering a poco portion of three churros costs Rs 155. Unavailability of a candle for the fondue earned us an additional plate of we’re-sorry churros. Full of ourselves? Indeed. The pricier tapas platter comes with additional treats of truffles, sweet pretzels and chocolate ice cream, while the healthier one comes with nothing but fruit for dipping.

Mug Shots

Dessert here can be washed down with more hedonism in the form of thick, thick shakes or sexy cocoa drinks. We went with a sultry hot chocolate cooled off by a scoop of white chocolate ice cream and a mango shake that was average, but helped offset all the chocolate.

Spotted on the next table: a bowl of chocolate covered berries that we were too full to try and an enormous sundae too blah looking to bother with. There’s also the less appealing off-the-rack desserts (of which only the Blueberry Frangipan and Marble Cake looked interesting), tea, coffee and a smattering of sandwiches that you may need to get in case of chocolate overdose.

Stay the Way You Are

Friendly staff, sweet somethings and a great location: San Churro has a lot going for it. But we’ve witnessed great starts before (remember A Chocolate Affair?) that have somehow ended tragically. Mostly for the customer. We sincerely hope San Churro’s story will need no sugar coating a month from now, and to conduct this cocoa check, we are willing to visit again.

Getting there: Shop no 11, Silver Pearl, opposite Red Box Cafe, Waterfield Road, Bandra (W), visit www.sanchurro.in, Rs 500 for a meal for two, no credit card and take away facilities yet.

bpb reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for its own meals.