consider my self to be a satisfied, happy woman and don’t run into rampant jealousy very often in my life. But when I came across the likes of Angie Maman I had to stop and take a breath. I was looking for my full-moon chocolate fix when I came across Koko Chocolate Creations, Angie’s baby. Angie is not only Cordon-Bleu trained but her husband, Alex Mamen, trained under the world renowned culinary genius, Paul Bocuse and has since been named one of Israel’s top three chefs. The pair opened Koko’s together mid-January to make use of Angie’s superior chocolate art. I can only imagine what these two eat like at home.

Koko’s is mainly a hot chocolate bar. Molten chocolate pumps through clear pipes that run all through the place reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s chocolate river. The hot chocolate is made with the finest Callebaut and Valrhona chocolate which is why a cup will cost you $4.50. Compared to a Starbucks specialty latte though, $4.50 doesn’t seem so bad. Different hot chocolate flavours like Turkish Mocha, Mexican or Canadian Beavertail with maple syrup and whipped cream are also available to the discerning chocolatier.

Angie makes up a batch of candies every day in flavours of her choice which often include such oddities as coconut curry or strawberry balsamic. Chocolate in all forms from s’mores to cakes to brownies to cookies can be found and bought at Koko’s. The whole place oozes a vibe akin to that of the film Chocolat – there’s something here to cure any ailment you may have, even if it does just cause your mood to brighten.

So I’m jealous of Angie because of her talent, her perfect culinary lover affair and the fact that she gets to enjoy her chocolate creations every day. Expect to become a regular customer. –J.T.