13 July,2009 09:42 AM IST | | Kasmin Fernandes
From Champagne to Irish Cream, newly opened Maya Confectioners houses hand-crafted Belgian chocolates in exotic flavours that will leave you drooling
The first outlet of the "chocolate artisan" Mayavee Khandelwal's hand-crafted Belgian chocolate store, has a velvety smooth allure that smacks of the brand name... Maya. Unsuspecting movie-goers are slowly drawn to
Kids turned greedy and women were swooning at the sight of slabs and slabs of naked chocolate on display. Maya stocks dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chocolates with creamy centres or nutty ones, chocolate-covered ginger and gift-wrapped, hand-crafted ones; all ingredients imported from Belgium.
The signature hand-wrapped basket pralines (Rs 40) and the soft centre liqueur bottle-shaped ones (in champagne, rum and cherry brandy flavours at Rs 40 each) are absolute must-haves, especially for their aroma and vibrant packaging. There are desserts too brownies, cheesecakes (lemon, strawberry and orange) and chikki baskets.
What distinguishes this modest brand from mass producers of machine-made goodies is the hands-on approach, according to counter manager Anthony. Each item is made by hand in small batches at a workshop in Fort, and the offerings are as fresh as if they've come straight from the kitchen. We will vouch for the freshness bit. The truffles Mocha, Dark Chocolate, Macademia nut were little pieces of heaven. Dark Chocolate Biscotti (Rs 15) wasn't like the too-bitter-to-relish kind you find elsewhere. Don't forget to try the mini slabs of the chocolate bars imported from Ghana that are melt-in-the-mouth fantastic.