Italian Bear Chocolate - Soho

This place is as amazing as you've seen online. The hot chocolate is the definition of decadence! We tried their profiteroles, waffle and cannoli's and each one was just as delicious as the last. If you are a chocolate lover, this is your Mecca. I tend to have more of a savoury tooth personally but I still thoroughly enjoyed each and every chocolatey thing.

Great cozy chocolate place in Soho to satisfy your sweet cravings. All desserts are very tasty and very generous portions as well. Staff is very friendly and has a nice atmosphere. It tends to get packed on most days, so go for early coffee time, or get ready to queue. It is worth it though.

Definitely recommend this cafe as a huge chocolate lover myself!! I got the dark chocolate drink and it was thick and bitter taste. Would grab their Gianduia chocolate drink on my next visit. Cakes and waffles were good with the triple chocolate on top. We were surprised by the size difference of the small and regular hot chocolate as shown in the pics below, although the price were not much difference. Staffs were friendly and the place is always popular so better make a reservation before going :))

Absolutely sensational. I found this place by chance as it turned up on my Instagram feed. I had walked past it dozens of times without even noticing it. I took my two kids, and we all agreed that the hot chocolate we had was the BEST we'd all ever had. I had a Spanish latte too, and that was absolutely delicious as well. We were exceptionally lucky and just walked up and got a seat outside, but a queue formed really quickly, so it's best to book a table! What a wonderful treat, and the benchmark for all other hot chocs to come!

have been here as said dal and as Italian bear chocolate - I do think the quality of the chocolate is different but the overall experience is always going to be great as long as you like chocolate. The signature cake is good, perhaps a little dry without the chocolate drizzle but what’s a visit to Italian bear chocolate without the getting the triple chocolate drizzle ? Service is also always relatively friendly here, other branch perhaps not so much

My daughters birthday so we visited today. Staff could be a little friendlier not very smiley or chatty. Small place we booked in advance. If you get the chocolate cake you def need to share couldn't eat it alone little bit dense, triple choc sauce on top helps, but wow so chocolatey. My daughter had the cheesecake, other daughter crepes both very nice. Toilets aren't very pleasant, and only one female and one gents.

You should by DEFAULT go to this place if you’re a chocolate lover !!! Popped in for a coffee but I mean wow! I was literally passing by so did not have the chance to explore but next week when I am in London I am definitely trying out a few options from the menu. Their coffee was really nice and they did decaf option with soya milk so win win! Their deserts looked mouthwatering.

The best chocolate 'drink' you will ever drink/eat. It's so incredibly good. Just make sure you book, as they are constantly busy throughout the the day. We also tried the paninis, exceptionally fresh bread and salad also the meat, very good. Very reasonably priced also with good customer service. A must try is the dark chocolate, not bitter and by far the best. But all are good to try!

Cake was delicious. Coffee was excellent I couldn't find anything wrong with this place. Love it.

We just happened upon this restaurant and got seated straight away. Limited pasta and wine selection but really delicious. Great meal, great service and so reasonable for London. My son loved the chocolate shake. The glass was lined with thick chocolate. The dessert that keeps giving! Would definitely recommend.

The first time I heard about Italian Bear was through a YouTube video by Insider! When I got to the place, I was told there was a queue across the street to stand in -- which there was. I hopped in and got to the front rather quickly but ended up waiting at the front for about 20-30 minutes. Once inside, I was seated at a table and ordered a hot chocolate with the chocolate rim! It was so rich and decadent but somehow not overindulgent. It was delicious. I decided to order a chocolate chip cookie as well but didn't enjoy that too much. It was too dry for my liking. I enjoyed the set up on the inside and the wait staff was very kind! They even filled my reusable bottle with water. Only complaint I would have is it's definitely pricey but in truth I really enjoyed my experience. Overall would recommend to anyone interested!

Came in on New Year's Day around 4:30. They had us wait across the street for the queue. We waited about 20 minutes for a party of four. Inside was cozy. We enjoyed a dark chocolate and milk chocolate. Both rimmed with triple chocolate. We got both regular size and it was more than plenty for us to share. It was a decadent treat. Very luscious and smooth.

Death by Chocolate!! This was a great treat in SOHO. Such fun for the children. I may never sleep again. Lol. The cake was a bit dense but overall the hot coco and strawberries were awesome! Yes we are all that chocolate! Delicious!!!

I went once on my own and tried the gianduia hot chocolate. Another time I went with my husband, and I got the milk hot chocolate with "triple chocolate" added. He got the dark hot chocolate. We got a chocolate cake to share as well. None of the hot chocolates themselves was very flavorful. Gianduia should taste like a classy Nutella, but this one just tasted like dull chocolate. All the hot chocolates were thick but not very chocolatey, like they were thickened primarily with cornstarch or some other kind of filler, rather than with actual chocolate. The chocolate cake was also not very chocolatey. It was kind of dry and bland. The "triple chocolate" topping was the most chocolatey thing I tried here. Each type--milk, dark, and white--tasted like actual melted chocolate, strong and good quality. The employee who served us in the middle of some weekday was nice. He even warned us not to leave our phones on the table, because he's seen them get snatched by people passing by before. It was a cute little experience, but for me, the only thing worth the cost was the "triple chocolate" topping. The thickness of the hot chocolate you see in photos is faked by fillers.

Strangely enough, this was hands down my favorite food/dessert experience in London! The chocolate was just THAT good. Creamy, rich, sweet - we asked for a smidge of sea salt to add to it, and it was PERFECT. Highly recommend the hot chocolate and espresso if that's something you're interested in - but the tiny sized hot chocolate will be something I will DEFINITELY revisit next time I'm across the pond!

A very cute little hot chocolate spot in London. My fiancé and I wanted something sweet after dinner and this place definitely met our needs. There is outdoor and indoor seating but since we came in November it was a bit cold and rainy so expect to wait if you want a seat inside. We got a medium hot chocolate and it is a very very rich hot chocolate. It's not like Starbucks or Swiss hot chocolate, it's like a super thick hot chocolate(90% chocolate and 10% milk) but in a good way. The cheesecake was good too but definitely bought from somewhere else and cut up here. Definitely recommend trying this decadent hot chocolate If you have a sweet tooth and it is simply a perfect drink during the colder months in London!

We had the SMALL cup of the Italian Hot Chocolate and added the triple chocolate to it and let me say... that was more than ENOUGH for 2 people! The chocolate is very yummy but also soooooo rich that it took about 2-3 sips of it to be satisfied ! The chocolate cake slice is huge and delicious! It's a small little restaurant with a cozy vibe and very kind staff! A must try when in the area!

Fantastic hot chocolate and desserts!! Love this place! Such great food and the best chocolate I've ever had.

Thank you giving us a table! My two boys weren't as excited as I was; until the hot chocolate came out. We got the milk chocolate triple chocolate medium size . I asked for two straws which we didn't use. The spoons were perfect and we loved the experience ! Devoured and Worth it!!

If I could bath in this hot chocolate, I would. It is the most creamy, tasty treat you could imagine... and honestly you can't go wrong. The dark chocolate is really flavorful and delicious and is not super heavy.. the hazelnut chocolate was unbelievable. I would definitely recommend the tre chocolat addition- because the white and milk chocolate are delightful! Mixing them all together is truly a party for your tastebuds. This is worth every moment you need to wait for a table and every calorie you are willing to sacrifice.

Thick, decadent hot chocolate with melted chocolate ladled over the sides of the cup? Say no more! I have had this place bookmarked for years ever since I saw a feature on them online via Buzzfeed or InsiderFood. I waited in anticipation for the chance to finally make a stop here next time I was in London. When we found ourselves in Soho after a football match the other day, we quickly walked over from the Oxford Circus underground station and made this our first stop. It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, but the shop was bustling with patrons and shortly after we stepped in, they blocked off the door indicating they were full. Whew~ We took a peek at the menu which had a variety of coffees, teas, drinks, shakes, patisserie, cakes, ice creams, and even a selection of pastas and more. We were here for the Italian Hot Chocolate though where you have a choice of chocolate flavor, choice of additional flavor to give it a twist (e.g. ginger, cardamom, etc), and the last option to add "Triple Chocolate." I went with a milk hot chocolate with the triple chocolate. We also ordered the cannoli siciliano and choice pistachio, ricotta, and vanilla pastry cream. Our hot chocolates came out quickly and after one spoonful, I immediately shot to chocolate heaven. The hot chocolate itself was thick, creamy, and just lovely. Every one of the triple chocolate flavors were also delicious with white chocolate being my favorite (no surprise there as I love white chocolate). The regular size was just perfect for me. For those not overly into sweets or not sharing with anyone, I would recommend going with the small. The cannoli's were also good. They were a little too crispy for my liking, but the flavors were smooth and nice. Not great, not bad. Overall, I was over the moon with my hot chocolate and am SO happy I got to try it. I love thick, creamy, European/Italian hot chocolate and this place is a MUST for that. The interior is also cute and quaint with a handful of outside seating available as well. If you're in Soho, definitely make it a point to stop here!

I came here with my wife because she saw the place on tik tok. We had the triple chocolate cake with ice cream, a waffle, and a brownie. The cake was extremely tasty. I recommend ordering with ice cream. It may have been too rich to eat without the ice cream. The waffle was very good too. We only took a bite each of the brownie and it wasn't very good. I definitely recommend trying this place. Get the triple chocolate cake and you won't be disappointed!

A very cute, small establishment with an impressive amount of seating. Always filled with customers and lit with candles, boasting wine bottles, pastries, and an impressive drinking chocolate menu. Very vegan and gluten free friendly, options are robust and plentiful. The dark drinking hot chocolate with the "triple chocolate" drizzle was plenty sweet enough and the coffee was super cute and delicious. The ambiance was extremely warm, with yellow hanging lights and chocolate molds in the wall. Fun fact: a "bear" in the queer community is an older, hairy and burly gay man. I suspect that since this restaurant is in soho that "Italian bear" is a okay on that term. Ambiance: 10/10 Ease of seating/ receiving a table: 9/10 Vegan options: 9/10 Gluten free options: 9/10 Low carb options: /10 Overall deliciousness: 10/10 Ambiance: 9.5/10

SUPER tasty luxurious hot chocolate. but super expensiv. visited at the begging of April, the hot chocholate is super rich and filling. I found out about Italian bear from YouTube as it has won awards for it luxurious hot chocolate good staff and quick service even when busy inside make sure you book other wise you probably wont get a table as there was a que out the door

A special little place!! My only issue was with their signature drink, the hot chocolate: sorry, this can be so much more aromatic with actually good chocolate. (anf the bathrooms could do with a little love)

We had the hot chocolate and chocolate cake with triple chocolate. The cake was divine - super decadent, creamy, moist -- just perfectly balanced, and good thing we shared it between three people. Would definitely have it again with the triple chocolate (covered in milk, dark & whole chocolate sauces). Even my friend who usually doesn't like white chocolate enjoyed it! The hot chocolate was a good balance between thick and smooth, and not very sweet so it paired super well with the cake. Their menu is also so extensive it's quite impossible to go through everything but tempting to come back! The service is quite slow though so expect to spend a while here.

If you want the world's best hot chocolate look no further! I'm so excited for this share! Of something is good you must share it - Well I've only lived in England less than 6months with Covid-19 and lockdown. Much craves for a delicious treat that's rich in flavor and not on my teeth lol. Walking down the streets of london. I knew my destination was SAID and I am so pleased with the results. This dark chocolate mocha is so good. Not too sweet but rich in dark chocolate flavors. Atmosphere: Small inside/outside cafe with minimal outdoor seating. Vibes: chill, relaxing, mood music instrumentals throughout Great for a "getting to know you" date.. To the couples who really enjoy each other's time, company and talking this place is for you. This location isn't loud rather quite the opposite it's the perfect venue for great conversationalist. I really wanted an almond croissant to accompany my dark chocolate mocha but they were sold out! that's how popular the food is here but until next time

Trust me when I say, best chocolate cake ever!!! Dont skip on the chocolate dripping, you wont regret it. Best food I ate in London. Thanks Italy lol!

Excellent hot chocolate. Althea trike chocolate is super rich and flavorful. Would definitely recommend

So yummy. I loved the profiteroles with milk chocolate. A jasmine tea with it went really well to cut through the sweetness.

So to put this into context, we waited outside online for 30mins as we made no reservation, so no issues with that, we finally got in excited to get some drinks after seeing this place pop up on Tick Tock, we ordered drinks after 30mins nothing had arrived , we asked our waitress how much longer to which we got a blank look of confusion and a reply that they are really busy and did we want to cancel our order, never had that before , like ever. We said we can wait another 10mins as we really wanted to try the drink, we had dinner reservations that we wanted to make, so 10mins later we decided to call it and cancel the order, shocking service and not an ounce of remorse, clearly they did not care as this place seams to be busy due to the social media uptake. I can get them being busy but not even an apology for the wait or a please come back with our sincere apologies. Adding menu pics as that is as far as we made it.

Those of you who follow me know that this is my go to coffee house...did I ever mention the chocolate cake...hmmm Anyway, where else would one go, this is simply the best despite the staff changes and the furniture rearrangement (I liked that big old table) it all seems so familiar Maybe I am not alone noticing, as that was the fewest number of people I've ever seen in here...has it lost its magic?....I will continue to report back...in the meantime, if you haven't been, do check it out

We arrived at 9 PM on a Monday evening and were told there would be a 1.5 hr wait. They added us to the online queue and we were told we can go explore the area because we will get a text when a table is ready for us. Probably important to note that it is table service ONLY. Up until 9:30, we checked the online queue link and it said we were in the same place for the past 30 min. We decided to refresh a few times and then around 9:45, we refreshed again and it said that we left the queue? Went back to the store and the guy said he called a bunch of people but no one responded. We never got a text or call. Thankfully after 15 min of waiting we got seated. They never gave us a menu so we went to get one ourselves. At this time, it was about 10:15 and still no one took our orders. Eventually, we ordered and it came at 10:55... The shop closes at 11 PM... We got a regular sized dark hot chocolate with the three chocolate drizzles on the rim and a slice of their white chocolate cheesecake. The drizzles were rich and delicious. The hot chocolate itself was acidic and I could not withstand more than a sip. Maybe something was wrong with the machine, I'm not sure, but it was not good. Also, beware that the hot chocolate is not as thick as everyone says. It is also water based and definitely not that sweet. The cheesecake was just average. It was room temperature when we got it too. If I could give SAID only a half star I would, mainly because of service. When we were waiting for our food, one of the waiters dropped an unfinished mug of hot chocolate right next to us, an inch away from splashing us. He just left it there... Second waiter comes over and pics up a few pieces of the mug, but leaves the chocolate on the floor... By the time we left, it was still there. It seems like the people there just float around. It's not even a big cafe because it maybe seats 20 people total? There should be no reason for slow service and poor communication if there are 5 hosts/waiters to attend to 20 people total. Ultimately, over hyped.

If you're into sweets, then this is the place for you. It's not too far of a walk from Piccadilly Circus. I forgot what night we went, but when we got there there there was a queue at the door if you wanted to dine in and have coffee and sweets. If you are just ordering to go then you can skip the queue and walk inside and order what you want. I'm not sure how the wait was to sit down inside, but I'm sure it was long because this place is small. These deserts are really good and worth the travel to get them. I would be back if I was ever to visit London again.

This is a must if you are in the area and looking for a late night or after theatre dessert stop! We had the Tripple Hot Chocolate as well as some of the Cakes. Amazing! I wish we could have this every night back in the states! Great local stop and Highly Recommend!

3 stars. Disorganized from the moment we walked up to the storefront. They didn't have a wait list to sign and there wasn't a clear line outside. They have a rope they put up in front of the door to stop people from constantly walking in to ask about the line (I'm guessing that's why), but it didn't work. Long story short, just make sure you check with the other people congregating outside who's next in line and let it be known to the wait staff you are also waiting. Once you get inside, the situation doesn't really improve - the service is not great and you have to work hard to get any attention at all. We got one hazelnut and one dark chocolate, and shared a slice of their caramel pie/tart thing (name is escaping me now). Please MAKE SURE YOU GET THE SMALLEST SIZE CUP AVAILABLE. We both got the med size and couldnt finish it because it literally is diabetes in a cup - super decadent and was just too much of a good thing. The caramel pie/tart thing on the other hand was really good.

First of all, there was a sign saying to wait outside to be seated so I did, for like 15 mins, even tho the shop was not even 1/3 full. multiple eye contacts with the waiter and got ignored. Second, there were another 20min waiting to order. Tried to catch the waiter multiple times and got ignored. The funny thing is there were so many of them just floating around in the shop checking on people but then don't actually go help them like taking orders. Just meerkating ...... and finally, their hot chocolate is not a drink.. its melted chocolate..literally. it stuck in my throat for hours and made me wanna vomit... wayyyy too thick.

Holy chocolate heaven! My friend had read a ton of reviews and we had to stop in. It was about a 20 minute wait, but we didn't have a bad thing to say. My hot chocolate came and was dripping off the cup. 3 different kinds of chocolate coated the cup and made each sip more indulgent than the last. It was like drinking warm chocolate pudding...getting a hug from the inside. It was astounding! Definitely stop in if you're looking to have the most decadent experience of your life!

Rich hot delicious hot chocolate... what more can you ask for on a rainy winter day... we came in around 7:00pm, there was a 10 mins wait. But was totally worth it. The ambience is very cool...with chocolate molds & cool chocolate making things. We got the hot chocolate in chocolate cup. It came in a cup covered in milk, dark & whole chocolate sauces :) The hot chocolates along with sauces were rich & super delicious. Definitely a must go place. Check out their tiny lift... to transport vessels & chocolate jars... it's dam cute ;)

If you like chocolate, you will love Said!! This place is chocolate heaven. White chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate.... what do you prefer? They have it. Their hot chocolate is your choice of chocolate in a cup with all three chocolates poured on the rim of the cup! So, if you don't like THAT much chocolate I would get a cookie or strawberry dipped in chocolate. The hot chocolates were good since it was cold outside, it was literally like drinking melted chocolate. You can even order those in a chocolate cup of your choice!! They also have chocolate you can purchase and other cookies and cakes and stuff! The place is in London, but it is Italian chocolate from Italy. All the workers were Italian and the name stands for Soc. Az. Industria Dolciumi. It was established in 1923. They were very helpful and friendly. So if you find yourself in London and the Soho district and want to get chocolate wasted, give this place a look, you will not be disappointed!!!

Visited this shop when in London in March. Triple chocolate espresso was to-die-for. Quaint, romantic setting with ambient lighting.

Wow wow wow so good! Great space, friendly staff and excellent desserts. A must go to while in London.

Are you a chocolate lover? Are you in London? Are you looking for a one of a kind experience? And are you a chocolate lover? Then this is a place you should check out,.. definitely chocolate overload,.. i tried the gianduja(i think it is hazelnut?) hot chocolate, my fiancee got the milk hot chocolate,.. let me tell you, this is the best hot chocolate i ever had so far,.. make sure you get the triple chocolate option,.. what we did was order some pastries( forgot what it was), we just order plain ones, and we dipped it in our hot chocolate,.. it was just amazing,.. im back in the bay area, and if i go back in London, SAID is a must for me,..

First off, Said WAS NOT the hot chocolate I was expecting. I was expecting chocolate with hot milk.. but instead I found out that it was literally chocolate melted into a cup. Personally, this was not for me.. it was really sweet.. and just so heavy and I couldn't finish it at all. For the cost of this about 5 pounds for a medium cup I would not get it again.. but this is just an FYI for all my Americans out there that might be expecting what I expected as well. The service here was great, the ambiance of it was amazing (European street-like), and they have a variety of pastries, coffee, and food as well. Just wasn't my cup of chocolate.

As good as hot chocolate gets. I had this thick, almost pudding-like Italian style hot chocolate years ago in Italy and had never really stumbled upon it again until reading about Said! I am so glad we went out of our way to visit on our recent trip to London - it's worth every minute of the wait and every penny of the cost. This will now be a staple spot to visit any time I happen to be remotely near London, or when I make it back to Rome! Said is legit!

My favorite little slice of Italy in London. If you are craving an amazing drinking chocolate this is the place. Also good if you just want to brush up on your Italian. It seems most of the people working here are Italian. When we were here over the holidays with two kids, this made a great mid-day or post-dinner treat/warm up location right in the middle of Regent Street/Carnaby Street shopping and Seven Dials area in Soho. Great energy in the space as well.

Having been to Belgium and Switzerland, I was in search of good hot chocolate in London. This is a very small cafe with not a lot of seating, but the tables turn over rather quickly and it is definitely worth the wait. I recommend getting the dark hot chocolate with the three chocolate rim if you are a true lover of chocolate. If you like chocolate but aren't a dedicated lover, get the milk chocolate with a three chocolate rim. My sister greatly enjoyed the Gianduia hot chocolate (basically milk chocolate with hazelnut). DO NOT GET LARGER THAN A REGULAR SIZE! This hot chocolate is very, very rich so the regular is more than enough, I would even recommend just getting the small. The three chocolate rim to the hot chocolate cup is a must and is both delicious and beautiful My friends and family always enjoy a visit here.

Any chocolate lover must make a stop at Said in soho. It's Italian hot chocolate (basically like you're drinking melted chocolate) is the most decadent I have ever had. We tried the dark and milk hot chocolate with white, milk, and dark chocolate poured over the rim of the cup (cost an extra £1) and it's so sweet it's difficult to finish a "regular". Whip is most definitely not necessary, the drink is so sweet that we did not even touch it Come here prepared for dessert, if you're looking for a hot chocolate place to warm you up on a cold day, this probably isn't the type of place you're looking for.

Sooo good. Had to wait awhile to be seated then we were elbow to elbow with the next table but our hot chocolate was so good! Beautiful presentation. Kinda pricey but still worth it.

I wish I could rate this chocolately goodness more than 5 stars! What an experience! The coffee shop seems to always be packed so I was lucky to only wait about 10 mins before getting a seat. I wouldn't recommend coming with more than 2 people as the space is small. The interior is beautiful with so much attention to detail. The shop had run out of the milk chocolate so I chose the dark got chocolate. I can not begin to describe the intense and rich flavor! I was in absolutely awe as in NYC our hot chocolate is barely chocolate and mostly water haha I would recommend saving yourself room and maybe eating something super savory before coming as the sweetness hits you hard! I would go back in a heartbeat if it wasn't over 3,000 miles away!

Sort of a bit of Heaven on Earth. I should say so myself. Said...inside Said some of the purest richest Chocolate lives. It is like no other coco bean I've ever tasted. It's pure. Not all sugared up. Unadulterated. A virgin chocolate waiting to be consumed by loving hands. I've had the hot chocolate twice. While I am a coffee drinker, I do recommend the hot chocolate as a must try. It's dreamy. It was great. Everything was yummi. I love you Said.

i'm not a fan of thick hot chocolate or think milkshakes so unfortunately Said is not for me. The triple chocolate was super fun, but I didn't love the actual hot chocolate bc of said thickness. the milkshake was essentially chocolate milk because of how thin it was. the triple chocolate didn't work for the milkshake because the chocolate hardened and wouldn't mix into the drink. so personally not for me, but not objectively bad or anything. chocolate cake was pretty flavorless, would not recommend.

Had to come here to try the hot drinks, particularly the triple chocolate cocoa. Small is £2.50, with whip it's another 50p, and the chocolate layer, I believe is an additional £1, for an eat-in price of £4.80--not sure the sipping chocolate is worth that much, but it's definitely fun to see it served up so festive. Great for a dessert, it's so thick you have to eat it with a spoon and so rich it could even be shared with another person. The interior of the place is adorable, has a rustic feel with chocolate molds lining the side of the wall, confections like malt balls and chocolate covered almonds in large glass jars in the window, and a countertop decorated with cakes, brownies, and their handmade chocolates for sale at varying prices. Some they sell individually, others are purchased in increments of 100g. A great place to have a business meeting, a light lunch (there are sammies), an afternoon coffee, or an evening sweet treat. They are open late, which is convenient for those late night chocolate cravings.

Warning. Just EAT and DRINK it before reading. I walked past here from time to time as it is on my way to the gym. Always there were streams of customers. You will notice easily the cup of hot choc/ coffee this shop served is like no others, as the richness of the chocolate oozes out from the cup and beautifully cascades on the side of the cup, making the drink look choco-sexy! That day, I decided to go for this "fatoption". Once inside, it is like a little Rome in London, cozy environment instantly sweeps off your weariness of city life. And I instantly felt lighter. I sat down next to the toasty fireplace, mesmerised by the not-burning-the-makeshift-wood-fireplace, and the shiny metal chocolate moulds adorned on the wall in the shop. I ordered a hot chocolate , medium size, and a strawberry cheesecake. I told you guys I went for the FAT OPTION, didnt i ! lol anyways, somehow, I made my medium chocolate... with triple chocolate... (god knows what that means, I just saw it later on my bill), it was delightful, high quality, thick , but believe it or not, not sickly sweet AT ALL! I was spooning it constantly in my mouth, and alternate it with a mouthful of the creamy strawberry cheesecake. I was over the moon. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at SAID and just wish I have had it before my workout, and not after. This IS the place if you are in need of a sugar fix.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! THIS PLACE IS SO CUTE!!!!! I met a friend here once and I immediately got giddy when I walked in. I came here on a weekday, maybe around 11, so it wasn't busy at all. There were multiple seating options and I sat at the end of a long table with a comfy bar seat. We ordered the hot chocolate and it was my first time to have hot chocolate like this! Thick! Creamy! Delicious! Beautiful! And the whipped cream came in a separate baby glass. Heheheh. Too cute.

As I write this, two days after my visit, I am still thinking about the hot chocolate. I am even considering if it would be too extravagant to plan a trip to the capital solely so I can visit Said again. This review is a little different to my usual reviews. Usually, I like to build up a scene and give you, the reader, way too much information than you really need. But with this place, I felt I had to start with the main story of this review. The scene setting can start now..... So, I spent a long weekend with my mum and step-dad. On my route back up north, I had arranged to meet a friend after he finished work, and because I had bought a cheap ticket from the south coast, I had a few hours to kill in London. Usually I would find a bar to sit in and have a glass or two of wine. But since I am trying to cut down on my alcohol consumption, I needed another option. As my train was approaching London Victoria, my mind wandered back to a conversation I had with a colleague from our London office a couple of months ago about hot chocolate. More precisely, that our continental cousins seem to do a better job of a proper, chocolate-y hot chocolate than the British milk-y product. My colleague told me about an Italian place in Soho which was, apparently, divine. It didn't take too much to find out the cafe and where it is. I know my way around London so I found it fairly easily after my customary window shop around Bond Street. I think if you're not familiar with Soho, you may find that you need a map, but it is pretty easy to find. When I arrived, it seemed fairly full, but being a loner, I found a spare seat at the end of a table, where the kind couple on the end said I could perch. I chose the dark hot chocolate. And boy was my colleague correct on their description of this as 'divine'. It not often these words will leave my lips, but I am glad that I'm on am alcohol detox because otherwise I would not have come to this wonderful place. As I said at the start of this review, I am still thinking of it. Last night, I even had a dream that I bathed in it. That is pretty bad. To accompany the chocolate, I went for a raspberry cheesecake, as it sounded healthy. Well, I was wrong, as nothing healthy tastes that good. It was a great accompaniment to the hot chocolate. It was £8.50 , which to my adopted-Northerner brain, seemed a lot but actually worth it for the pleasure gained. And what is life if you can't have utterly divine pleasure every now and again. They also sell products in their shop and on the shelf next to my table were jars upon jars of a chocolate sauce/spread. I regret not buying some, though if I had, I don't think it would have made it to Manchester. I can pretty much guarantee that I will be back here. Even if I only have time for a quick visit. I noticed that they do takeaway, which is great to note. They also do coffee and tea but I'm not sure why anyone would ever go for anything other than the utterly divine hot chocolate.

I'd say that you need the coffee to delute and wash down the chocolate :) I was flashed. Definitely a must visit!

There was a huge queue. There signature coffee is out of this world. Their desserts are really fresh and worth trying...from a coffee and chocolate dessert fanatic!