Rabot 1745

Has anyone tried this new restaurant in Bedale Street, Borough Market yet?
I have made reservations for next Saturday, for my wife and I , plus two friends, to celebrate my birthday.
I have opted for this restaurant because it is part of the hotelchocolat group, and both of the two wives are chocaholics.
Apparently most, if not all, of the items on the menu are infused with chocolate in some manner.
Not chocolate per se, but cacao, or chocolate nibs.
Should be different, I'll let you know what I think when I've been, but if anyone has already tried I'd appreciate their views.

I am curious to know what you make of it. I am not a chocoholic, but I found the menu very interesting.

I didn't think it was open yet.

jcpse1 wrote:

I didn't think it was open yet.

It opened last week. Certainly the shop/coffee bar on the ground floor was trading.

Hotel Chocolat getting a bigger toe-hold in what is supposed to be chain-free B/Market. Managed it trading as Rabot, and 'hiding' their HC branded products at the back of the shop!

Yes the fact it's Hotel Chocolat is well hidden. I felt a bit cheated afterwards having thought it was an independent. Still, not many coffee options in the area, and it's preferable to the awful Lila next door.

With the best will in the world I don't see Hotel Chocolat as a chain in the same style of say, Pret a Manger .
Yes they have numerous outlets around the country selling their chocolates, plus their on-line business, but to my knowledge Rabat 1745 in Borough Market, and Roast+Conch in Leeds are their only two restaurants.
I think that I read in their publicity blurb that Rabat is named after their cocoa plantation in St. Lucia, maybe it was established in 1745.

They've got over 70 shops, a few restaurants and even a hotel. So I reckon they're a chain!

Why do you think Borough Market can say "no" to it opening? Do you think they are the freeholder of the restaurant?

Yes Borough Market is the landlord.

se1lurker wrote:

Why do you think Borough Market can say "no" to it opening? Do you think they are the freeholder of the restaurant?

I'm not suggesting BM would reject them as tenants. Money talks. They are the type of 'chain' occupier able to occupy a large space and pay the inflated rents set by the market management these days.

Apologies for starting this diversion. No doubt it'll be put back on track by Mr Pepper's review.