cocoa rouge chocolaterie and ice creamery, red hill
Nestled amongst the vines and trees at the back of Mont Rouge Estate in Red Hill, is this charming little family-owned chocolaterie and ice creamery
Mamma and her crew are big chocolate and ice cream fans, so finding this little hidden treasure, in our most favourite part of Melbourne, has been one of our best discoveries yet!
Nestled amongst the vines and trees at the back of Mont Rouge Estate in Red Hill, is this charming little family-owned chocolaterie and ice creamery with the most delicious hand-made chocolate and scrumptious smooth and velvety ice cream - all made in store!
You can find such delights as chocolate caramel covered hazelnuts, crisp coated honeycomb, salted caramel clusters, bon bons and SO much more. They even have little party-packs for the kids in Dinosaur, Unicorn and Star Wars themes - as well as chocolate lollipops!
Then there’s the ice cream with seriously amazing flavour - Mamma’s crew highly rates the Chocolate Hazelnut and Mango sorbet - so GOOD! You can also have a hot drink, an iced-drink or sample their premium wines made right there at the vineyard!
You can take your goodies and sit outside in the courtyard, surrounded by beautiful trees and listen to the abundant birdsong. Nature, fresh air and the aroma of chocolate - is there a better combination?
The nitty gritty
232 Red Hill Rd, Red Hill 3937
(at the back of Mont Rouge Estate)
OPEN
Monday/Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday - Sunday: 11am – 5pm
wanna know more? click here.
Mamma's special mention:
Red Hill is home to so much fun!
Feel like a good meal? Head to Red Gum BBQ
Feel like fruit picking? Head to Ripe n Ready Cherry Farm or Rocky Creek Strawberry Farm.
Looking for adventure? Head to Enchanted Adventure Garden.
Thirsty? Green Olive Winery is perfectly kid-friendly.
penni ave distillery, rye
Did you know that there’s a VODKA DISTILLERY in the South? This Mamma did NOT, and WOW, this place is amazing!
Did you know that there’s a VODKA DISTILLERY in the South? This Mamma did NOT, and WOW, this place is amazing! It’s one of a very few dedicated vodka distilleries in Australia.
The idea for this distillery came about while owner Gen was on maternity leave and started creating vodka at home, and then along with her brother, Penni Ave was born! Here they distill the most INCREDIBLE botanical vodka, infused with native botanicals like Lemon Myrtle and Kakadu Plum; you will just love the smooth, and fruity flavours.
You can sample all the flavours with a tasting paddle, or opt for a signature cocktail. Mamma highly recommends the Kakadu Mule - it is incredible! When you discover your favourite, you can buy a bottle to take home or there’s even delicious ready-to-drink cans you take home as well. The Kakadu Plum vodka with lime, ginger and soda is spectacular!
There are rotating food trucks here, so you can grab some food to go along with your beverages, and yep - the kids, and dogs - are more than welcome, too!
There’s also a cafe area serving up amazing coffee if you come along in the morning - with heaps of room for prams it’s a great mothers group catch up space, too!
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Wednesday 6.30am - 11.30am
Thursday 6:30am - 11:30am, 5pm - 9:30pm
Friday 6:30am - 11:30am, 5pm - 9:30pm
Saturday 7am - 9:30pm
Sunday 7am - 6:00pm
wanna know more? CLICK HERE
Mamma's special mention:
Head down the road for a play at Rye Forehsore Playground while you’re in the area!
that spirited lot, seaford
Sit in a cosy little bar, enjoy a cocktail or spirit flight, a cheese board or a toastie, whilst hearing all about the distillery process from their delightful staff.
That Spirited Lot is a small-batch distillery, tucked away in a little warehouse in Seaford. They specialise in gin, and recently - vodka, and it is AMAZING!
It’s made with patience and care, by passionate brothers, whose love and knowledge of the industry is clearly evident.
You can now sit in a cosy little bar, enjoy a cocktail or spirit flight, a cheese board or a toastie, whilst hearing all about the process from their delightful staff.
Mamma recommends getting the spirit flight as it is a great way to sample the many different flavoured spirits on offer. Top pick is the Grandfather Vodka - which is flavoured with Commonfolk coffee beans and is just perfection - and of course you can’t go past their awarding winning Ninch Dry Gin - spectacular.
They also serve (and sell take home bottles) of delicious home-made soda, which is made right there in the distillery. A lower sugar and much tastier alternative to traditional soft-drinks, and is the perfect accompaniment to the delicious spirits!
This is the perfect spot for a relaxed drink with the girls - a date day or you could bring your kids, too - as there are sodas and toasties they can eat - just bring a colouring book for them so they don’t run around - as the space is quite small.
This is a family-run business and you just couldn’t meet a nicer bunch of people! Head down there, have a chat and check out all that they offer.
Mamma's special mention:
Get a delicious soda mixer from the delicious Peninsula BLVD.
the nitty gritty
Open
Wednesday to Friday
12pm - 6pm
Saturday/Sunday
12pm - 5pm
Bookings online
wanna know more?
click here
only mine chocolates, cranbourne west
Calling all chocoholics - there’s a new chocolate factory in the south that you are going to want to visit, your taste buds will thank you!
Calling all chocoholics - there’s a new chocolate factory in the south that you are going to want to visit, your taste buds will thank you!
If you’re anything like Mamma and her crew, when you hear that there is a brand new chocolate shop opening in your hood - you know that a visit there will be imminent! Especially when you already know that this particular chocolate is delicious. Only Mine also has a shop in the beautiful hills of Olinda.
This latest addition offers beautiful hand made chocolates that are almost as stunning to look at as they are delicious to eat! There’s also their famous hot chocolate, chocolate blocks, bars and pastilles; plus cute little chocolate animals as well.
Whilst this is only a takeaway shop, you can still get delicious food like chocolate drizzled waffles and ice cream, brownies, cookies and more. Pure decadence!
Mamma's special mentions:
Grab some to go and picnic in the park at Trueman Reserve not far away.
lizzy's chocolates, carnegie
Attention all chocoholics! THIS shop has your name on it!
Attention all chocoholics! THIS shop has your name on it! Well, actually it has Lizzy’s. But there will definitely be something that calls out to you here!
Are you a rich, home-made gooey caramel kind of person? Or more of a hazelnut praline melt-in-your-mouth truffle connoisseur? There are SO many delectable morsels of hand-crafted fine chocolates here, you will have a very hard time trying to decide what to order!
Lizzy’s is a family owned business that has been in Carnegie for 38 years. If you can’t get down to Carnegie- never fear, you can order online!
Mamma’s crew opted for a bit of everything (after a VERY big and LONG decision making process). Some of the deliciousness we sampled included; cute animal shaped chocolates, a bag of speckled chocolates, a good-old simple white chocolate bar, caramel lips and a box of assorted truffles - all were DIVINE. Absolutely worth the lifetime on the hips!
You can grab a seat out the front (only a few tables) and enjoy a coffee or decadent hot chocolate, some freshly baked goods and some chocolate, of course - or grab some to go.
Mamma's special mention
Grab some goodies to go and run off some energy at the fabulous frog-themed Packer Park.
the nitty gritty
OPEN
Monday - Thursday
9am - 5.30pm
Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday
9am - 3.30pm
Closed Sunday
wanna know more?
click here
red hill confectionery, red hill
These delectable chocolates make the perfect treat, especially when we are stuck at home!
There is no such thing as TOO much chocolate, right?!
If you haven’t discovered Red Hill Confectionery, you’ve been missing out. These delectable chocolates make the perfect treat, especially when we are stuck at home. This a family-owned business in Red Hill, and the staff are so super lovely! But, thankfully, you don’t have to be a local to enjoy their range as they deliver all across Melbourne!
You can also get a hamper sent as a present- which makes birthdays and spoiling someone special, super easy.
It’s hard to pick a favourite here, but if Mamma had to - it is pretty hard to go past the delicious chocolate coated raspberries - yum! The husband says the dark chocolate coated Turkish delight is the best he has ever had - BIG call! It’s all amazing. We are talking choc-coated almonds, caramel mates, mixed lollies, humbugs, honeycomb, fudge and so much more.
Go on and treat yourself!
Mamma's special mention: . You can organise special hampers to be delivered for any occasion. Click HERE for more.
the nitty gritty
Delivery available throughout Melbourne.
Free delivery over $75
wanna know more? click here
mornington peninsula chocolaterie & ice creamery, flinders
The aroma fills your lungs as soon as you step through the door. Chocolate; sweet, sweet chocolate!
The aroma fills your lungs as soon as you step through the door. Chocolate; sweet, sweet chocolate!
It’s a sensory overload as the scent permeates the air; your vision is drawn to the hundreds of chocolates on display, and you can grab a spoonful of the small buds of scrumptious white, dark and milk chocolate to sample.
Easter is always a good time to visit, with loads of gorgeous creations on display. But ANY DAY is perfect. There’s more than just chocolate, too! There’s delicious ice cream, coffee, hot chocolate and a brownie bar!
Why not book into a tasting session or workshop? They have special weekend and school holiday sessions for the kids.
It’s hard to pick a favourite here, but Mamma simply cannot resist a good old chocolate freckle!
Mamma's special mention:
There’s so much to explore in this beautiful part of the Peninsula. Make it a day of indulgence and head to the Peninsula Hot Springs.
