Is this the beginning of an outrageous new trend in Australia – charging extra for eating and drinking on a weekend?
The 10% surchage that Max Brenner slap onto your bill on the weekends didn’t seem to deter the hoards of people, mostly young and Asian, queueing up for their dose of chocolate as they perched on the low wooden stools. For a take-home chocolate dose, the cafe also displayed a tempting wall of beautifully packaged products and individual handmade chocolates.
Whilst we read the papers and commented on Natalie Imbruglia’s improbably puffy lips, RM cradled his hug cup of Danish toffee chocolate ($5.50) and glanced covetously at my warm chocolate babka with chocolate sauce ($6). Both delicious, both indulgent and the perfect Easter treat.
Update 23 May 2009: If you’re in need of a chocolate hit from Max Brenners, I recommend that you stick to their hot chocolates, souffle and babka. Their $4 choc chip cookie was dry and worst of all, not chocolatey enough.
- Max Brenner, Level 2, QV Square, 210 Lonsdale St, Melbourne +61 3 9662 4442
The hot chocolate drink was very ordinary. The 10% weekend surcharge (Sat & Sun) sucks. Will never go to Max Brenner again! When you’re in Melbourne, go to KoKo Black. Has fantastic hot chocolate drinks and no surcharge. Go to Haig’s for the best chocolates around!
Hi Parisfreddy, thanks for your comment.
I have to say that I really like the hot chocolate (particularly the suckao) at Max Brenner but agree that the weekend surcharge is outrageous! Good call re Koko Black but I confess I’m not such a fan of Haigh’s chocolates despite everyone around me gushing about their chocolate frogs and freckles.
In my book, the best hot chocolate award goes to Monsieur Truffe in Collingwood (taste and presentation), while the best bar chocolate award goes to Ganache in South Yarra (the chocolatier is ex-Koko Black).
Jetsetting Joyce
I also love chocolate, but i still have not tried these places. Anyway, i might visit them one of these days.
Your post once again prove that chocolate is really the universal favorite, in fact that is also my all time favorite.