A Sweet Start and Savory Finish: Hotel Chocolat & Three Thousand Restaurant (October 12th, 2024)

I decided to spend a day at Westgate Shopping Mall in Oxford for some shopping and a movie. Before diving into the shops, I stumbled upon Hotel Chocolat. At first, I thought it was just a chocolate shop, but to my surprise, there was also a café serving chocolate-based drinks alongside coffee. Intrigued, I ordered a Velvetised Choc Shake in the regular size with the classic option, which featured 70% chocolate. You can choose between 50%, 70%, 80%, and 100% chocolate content, and I found 70% to be the perfect balance. If you sign up for membership, you even get a £1 discount, which is a nice bonus!

The shake had an incredibly rich chocolate flavor, and I enjoyed it so much that I almost bought some chocolates on the way out. However, I didn’t have anywhere to store them, so I held off—but I’ll definitely grab some next time.

After some shopping and a movie, I was ready for dinner. Being a noodle lover, I went to Three Thousand Restaurant, conveniently located on my way to the bus stop. The restaurant was packed, with only a few tables available, but I managed to find a spot for one.

I ordered the Lanzhou-style beef ramen and, as always, asked them to hold the coriander. What stood out about the ordering process was that after paying at the counter, you receive a notification when your food is ready, and you pick it up from the kitchen yourself.

The noodles were cooked just right, and the beef broth was rich and flavorful. A touch of spice kept the dish from feeling too heavy, balancing the richness of the beef perfectly. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely return—if I can find a seat!