York's Chocolate Story - Adventures in Afternoon Tea

I think I've complained about work once or twice on here recently. I do generally really like my work, it's just a bit of a busy and stressy time that will hopefully resolve itself before too long, but in the meantime I'm hoping to balance it out as much as possible by really enjoying my weekends and treating myself whenever possible. I managed to do both this weekend, where we headed for a day out in York, and I treated myself to this massive pile of chocolatey goodies from the cafe at York's Chocolate Story.

York's Chocolate Story is a really fun attraction covering the delicious history of chocolate in York, including lots of tasters and the chance to make your own chocolatey treats. We've been a couple of times and the kids love it, but on this occasion we decided to forgo the tour and just visit the cafe for hot chocolate.

On sitting down I 'suddenly remembered' that the cafe did a chocolate themed Afternoon Tea for Two. Since the afternoon tea comes with two hot drinks I did some 'sensible maths' to work out that since we were getting the drinks anyway, it 'just made sense' to order the full lot. You understand. We topped it up with a couple of kid's hot chocolates for the young 'uns and we were soon merrily munching our way into tooth decay.

As part of the deal, we got to choose four chocolates from their extensive and attractive selection. There were some very 'interesting' options but we settled on a fairly straightforward caramel heart and strawberry cream for the adults, and the kids were a little more adventurous with their choices of Hot Cross Bun and Peanut Butter and Jelly respectively. 

Below the chocolate tier we found four little pots of goodness - healthy portions of jam and clotted cream for the scones, mini-marshmallows for extra hot chocolate topping, or just eating, and a pot of the most scrumptiously indulgent melted chocolate for dipping the rest of the goodies into. 

As well as the aforementioned scones, the bottom tier of the cake stand came with a pair each of brownies and caramel shortbread, four delightful little macarons and a pot of juicy sweet strawberries, that were incredible when dipped in the gooey chocolate above. 

Though I was initially excited about the prospect of an afternoon tea without all that boring savoury stuff you have to get through first, it didn't take too long before we were all overloaded on sugar and didn't manage to make it through to the end! (I think it was trying to make sure we finished off the melted chocolate that did it!) Thankfully we'd already been told we could pack up and take home anything we didn't get finished, which took the pressure off a little bit...! 

(As well as giving us an extra day of treats - I'm munching macarons as I type and as no one else in the house likes them, they're all for me!)

I might have been able to get through more that was offered if I'd opted for a nice cup of tea to accompany the food, and much as I'd usually request tea over anything else - this is a place for hot chocolate! At York's Chocolate Story you can chose between white, milk or dark hot chocolate in a variety of flavours. The milk chocolate with chilli is my favourite and the one I ordered on this occasion - wonderful, but a little much when added all together with the rest of the afternoon tea! 

I don't regret my choice at all though! This was a lovely way to sit and recharge in a great place with my favourite people. If I was to offer any advise to anyone considering the afternoon tea, it's to make sure you go with someone who you know can handle their chocolate - this is not one for the savoury-minded!