"Perfect treat for a cold December day" - I tried the After Eight Hot Chocolate at Ellie Ann's in Southsea
Food is a huge part of Christmas for many people - and Portsmouth is packed full of fantastic local eateries selling a range of festive treats.
While turkey and pigs in blankets are headline grabbers at this time of year, chocolate is also a huge feature at Christmas, especially in my household. As such, I went to Ellie-Ann’s café in Marmion Road to try out its hot chocolate.
Having already tasted the Festive Mac’ N’ Cheese at the Tenth Hole and a Christmas Bap from Hoggies in Southsea, a sweet treat was much needed.
There are a number of chocolates which go hand in hand with the festive season, whether it is the excitement of counting down the days with an advent calendar, or the numerous tubs and boxes of chocolate that get passed around on the big day.
However, one type of chocolate sticks out - to me anyway - as I never have it at any other time of the year. I usually consume After Eights on Christmas Day having already eaten far too many roast potatoes and pigs in blankets. Despite being incredibly full, I always nab another minty chocolate from its packet thinking one more wont hurt.
At Ellie Ann’s, I enjoyed the After Eights hot chocolate in a much more dignified manner while sitting in the cosy and festive café. It is served with whipped cream and a few of After Eight chocolates to dip in or just enjoy on the side.
It was the perfect treat to have on a cold December day. The creamy and sweet hot chocolate warmed me with the mint adding a bit of a tingle on the tongue. All topped off by the light and fluffy whipped cream which gave it extra depth.
While it may have been a more dignified experience than eating an After Eight on Christmas Day, I still wolfed it down in record time...delicious.