A blog about Chocolate and Climbing

Yesterday afternoon, I encouraged my 10-year-old daughter Xanthe to join me for a gentle 14-mile bike ride. I’m yet to decide whether this is bordering on child cruelty or whether I’m giving her a wonderful opportunity to explore the great outdoors! Our bike ride transpired to be a very nostalgic journey for me, so here’s how chocolate links to climbing.

After our first mile, we bumped into my old boss, John Pike, at Hose canal gates, I hadn’t seen John since 2008 so it was lovely to catch up and reminisce about old colleagues. Later, we cycled past Sarsfield’s Chocolatiere. I had been recommended this place, so Xanthe and I popped in to explore. What a delightful surprise it was to learn that it was owned by a couple I knew from my old rock climbing days, Jerome and Katy Smith.

During my twenties, I took up climbing and instantly loved it. I’m not naturally good at many sports such as running or racquet sports, but climbing was different, it felt like it was ‘my sport’, I was born to climb. What I lacked in reach, I made up for it in flexibility and determination. Over the next few years, the Nottingham climbing centre effectively became my second “home”. Climbing is also a sport where I have won something, finishing in third place at the Nottingham women’s beginner bouldering league in 2007. At the wall, I met Katy and Jerome. Katy always made climbing look effortless and I was in awe.

Climbing in Fontainebleau

Katy and Jerome told us that their Sarsfield’s Chocolatiere project was five years in the making. It began as a vision, then purpose-built premises to opening their doors. They fulfilled their dream by opening the tearoom in February. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced them to close only a few weeks after opening. They re-opened again in July.

We enjoyed lunch there today, my kids opted for scotch pancakes served with crispy bacon, maple syrup and a choice of either dark, milk or white chocolate sauce. They devoured the pancakes citing that it was the “best meal ever”.

My husband and I enjoyed the bacon, stilton and mango chutney panini garnished with coleslaw and a side salad. The star of the show is Sarsfield’s hot chocolate long, it was really something. Imagine the nicest hot chocolate you’ll ever have. Generously dusted with cocoa powder, it’s rich, the consistency is thick, it strikes the perfect balance of sweetness mixed with the bitterness of pure chocolate. It’s served on a wooden board with marshmallows, cream and a dark chocolate truffle. I’m in heaven.

Sarsfield's Hot Chocolate Long

“The star of the show is the hot chocolate long – generously dusted with cocoa powder. It’s rich and thick - it strikes the perfect balance between sweetness mixed with the bitterness of pure chocolate.”

To any chocolate lovers who have not visited yet, go and immerse yourself in the full chocolate experience. It is relaxing, the staff are friendly, and the chocolate is heavenly. You can purchase hand-made chocolates, all expertly made by Jerome. Dine-in for a light lunch. You can also learn how to make chocolate, choose from bar-making or truffle rolling.