With perfect timing for National Chocolate Week (14-20 October) comes news of a cocoa-based restaurant that will open in Borough Market next month.
Rabot 1745 is the brainchild of the founders of Hotel Chocolat, Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris who already have another restaurant, Boucan, focusing on all things cocoa in Saint Lucia. The London restaurant aims to take the cocoa bean "from plantation to plate".
Dishes on the menu, devised by Chef Jon Bentham include breast of guinea fowl marinated in Borough Market-roasted cacao with slow-cooked aubergine, coriander and mint with cumin spiced jus and nib-infused sheep’s milk yoghurt and Carpaccio Rabot - rare, seared beef fillet infused with Borough-roasted cacao, served with celeriac, horseradish and juniper condiment, cocoa gin jelly, cocoa balsamic syrup. Bentham, who is Hotel du Chocolat's executive chef worked for Stephen Bull in London way back when and is cited as a major influence by Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge.
For cocktails - you might want to try the Fresh Cacao Bellini, made from Prosecco, fresh cacao pulp, lemon verbena and soursop juice.
The restaurant, bar and shop will have a terrace overlooking Borough Market and will feature cocoa bean roasting and small batch chocolate making right on site.
Rabot 1745 opens in November at 2-4 Bedale Street, Borough Market, London, SE1 9AL
