William Curley - CLOSED

a_female

I fell in love with a cup of Coco 29th December 2008

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What can I say it a shameful secret I’m not on the least ashamed of. I've given this place 4* but that is only for one reason. The amazing chilli hot chocolate. In fact it's so rich you need to ask for some single cream or extra milk to avoid a chocolate induced coma. But what a way to go.

ONscotland

Lacks WOW! factor 9th April 2008

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London changes you. I remember thinking that when I was having a conversation with friends about 'How many glasses of champagne is too much?". This is ME. I never used to drink champagne and here I am pondering when is the polite time to slur 'No thanks' to the offer of a top up. But posh stuff is so in these days. So, it was with a sense of excitement that I ventured into London's first dessert bar last Sunday, with my friend from South Africa. "This place is amazing" I told her confidently, pretending that the glossy PR that I had read was firsthand experience. Getting a little bit lost in Shepherd's Market betrayed my confident exterior, but we eventually found it. At first glance, the shop is a little unassuming. I like that.

Sunday last, if you recall, was when we had snow in London. It was freezing. I was really looking forward to sitting indoors, hands warmed around a mug of hot chocolate while I casually decide which desert to choose first. Meanwhile, jealous passers-by would press their noses against the window while I mouthed 'Shoo!' at them. It wasn't quite like that.

The shop is lovely. It is really rather plain and simple, but very stylish. And cold! So cold! Maybe it's because it had just opened, or maybe it's always like that to keep the desserts cool, but not once did we feel like we wanted to stay any longer than we had to. Maybe that's the plan... It also didn't help that my seat was right next to three glass shelves, so everytime I looked sideways I got a sharp shelf corner in my cheek.

The service ranged from friendly to uninterested (the staff disappeared and we literally could have walked out without paying), but I was disappointed that the Dessert Bar area (where chefs create wonders in front of your eyes) is not manned on Sundays, although a bit of research before would have told me that.

The Aztec Hot Chocolate didn't have nearly enough kick, tasting to me like, erm, Hot Chocolate; the desserts themselves, at £5 - £7 each looked magnificent (see pictures) but were ultimately forgettable and the whole experience left me wondering why I shelled out almost £30.00 when I could have had tea and biccies at a posh hotel nearby. And have a glass of champagne. At least I'd be warm.

walid

Rolls Royce Chocolate 24th March 2008

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I agree with Pebs review, the presentation of the chocolates is truly beautiful. The delicate looking and artfully crafted chocolates are truly a site to see and the manner in which they're laid out is superb.

My stay however at William Curley's was a short one, so I can't comment on the desserts nor on the salon de the section. I did have a small marzipan covered in chocolate that was very tasty.

This place reminds me very much of Maison du Chocolat and I look forward to comparing each chocolates. La Maison de Chocolat does have an advantage in having a larger choice in chocolates.

In any case if you're in the area and want a little bit of sweetness for yourself or a little gift to bring to a special person than stop by William Curley and pick up a chocolate or two.

Pebs

Desserts didn't make the grade 12th March 2008

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We visited William Curley's dessert bar in Mayfair recently and were very disappointed. The dessert bar is small, maximum seats- seven. The ambience was ok nothing electric.

Good points- The pre-dessert cold chocolate drink and the tea we (but ofcourse you don't go to a chocolatier to drink tea). I had the milk and white chocolate mousse and my partner had the chocolate tart with green tea ice cream.

Presentation is where William Curley excels - The chocolate tart presentation looked great as did the chocolate mousse. However, once again it was a non chocolate item that stood out, the green tea ice cream that accompanied the chocolate tart was good but not the chocolate tart.

The white and milk chocolate mousse lacked the consistency of a mousse, the consistency was more similar to melted ice cream, not good at all.

Additionally, we tried the sea salted caramel tart, brownies and the chesnut mousse, all were a disappointment. The brownie was in the shape of a muffin but tasted like cake. The caramel tart didn't taste salty enough and the caramel lacked flavour.

As a patesserie, they didn't make the grade, their focus seems to be centred on presentations without any thought for taste. The dessert bar concept is good, I however won't return.