Their signature specialty is hot chocolate but you can’t drink it. Yes, that’s right. You simply consume it by using a spoon to scoop up the solid hot chocolatey goodness. A first for Colombo, that’s for sure. Many are the coffee shops in Colombo, which specialize in their own versions of hot chocolate, but this place certainly has theirs completely different.

We’re talking about Cioconat Lounge - the new kid on the block! An Italian franchise based in Dubai, they opened their doors to Colombo over a month ago thus attracting the crowds on a daily basis. Such is the demand for their hot chocolate, Cioconat Lounge boasts of 36 flavours of hot chocolate, which range in variety from strawberry to extra dark chocolate.

Moving away from the hot chocolate, we were given a lengthy description of the next best drink - a Cremasito. Sounds cold, delicious and indulgent. Very much like a frappe, this beverage is a creamy sorbet, which comes in six variants. A definite must try, we tell you.

Other beverages dominate the hardbound storybook-like menu such as Espressino, Mascarpone Latino, slushies, mocktails, milkshakes and juices. Cioconat Lounge also specializes in freshly prepared food such as pizza, lasagne and pasta – as Italian as you can get! Sandwiches and pastries galore. One can choose from the range of sandwich breads: whole-wheat, foccacia, Ciabatta or baguette.

Theirs is a very strict policy when it comes to what is served. “We do not buy anything from outside. Our chef prepares the food fresh on a daily basis. And our food is halal.” stresses M. Rhumy Mohamed, CEO of Cioconat Lounge and Barari Dates Ltd. They also have a wide range of desserts.

Cioconat Lounge also sells a wide variety of products to consumers as well. This ranges from sachets containing their signature hot chocolate to rich dates (Barari Dates) in addition to Nat Food products such as smoothie syrups, toppings for hot chocolate beverages. Nat Food, an Italian brand is the supplier for Cioconat Lounge outlets all over the world. A variety of candy is also sold at the store such as Wonka Nerds, Pixy Stix, Skittles and Sloops. Cioconat Lounge is located in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Malta, Italy, Bahrain, Tunisia, Syria, Kuwait, Jordan and finally Sri Lanka.

They also have a shisha lounge and a private lounge, which can be reserved for private parties/gatherings. They request that 24 hours notice be given for the reservation of the lounge. Cioconat Lounge is open from 7am to 12am everyday including public holidays.

By Sarah Kellapatha