For the love of chocolates: Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique

If you are a certified chocoholic or just can't seem to get enough of chocolate, then Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique is the place for you. They have an eat-all-chocolate-you-can buffet every 14th of the month. I think the menu varies every month, so there's always a surprise every time you go there. According to their Facebook page, price for the buffet is Php195/chocolate lover.

We were lucky because we went there before the Sinulog Festival and they had a special promo which was for 1 day only. The price was only Php99/person. It was their way of giving thanks to Sr. Sto. Niño. Sweet deal, isn't it?

Ralfe Gourmet is located in Casal's Village across Sarrosa Hotel in Panagdait, Mabolo, Cebu City. Getting there is a bit tricky though since you still need to go inside the village and locate the place among the houses. Once you get past the guard house, turn right and go straight until you reach the second corner, and then turn left. Walk straight ahead until you will find a vacant lot that's full of grass/weeds. Across that is the boutique.

However, you need to make an appointment first with them before you go there. This is to ensure that they can accommodate the guests well and prepare enough chocolates for everyone. The place is quite small but it really feels warm and cozy. Maybe because it's just connected to the house of the owner.

Once you've set up the appointment, make sure to come on time since you will only have a limited amount of time to enjoy your chocolates. I think it was 1 hour and 30 minutes for us, since there are other scheduled guests after us.

When we got there, I was surprised that Ed (I think he is the one in charge there) was waiting for us and warmly greeted us. I was impressed that he really took the time to ask for our names and a few things about us and then started telling us some info about Ralfe Gourmet. It felt like an educational tour for us too and it was pretty cool.

He then ushered us to the buffet table and told us tidbits about how the chocolates were made. He then left us to enjoy our food and to welcome other guests. As we were eating, he occasionally comes to us to ask us if we are enjoying the chocolates (and the absolute answer would be yes!).

The buffet table

We were in awe as we saw chocolates here and there, in all its forms: moist chocolate cake, chocolate bars, chocolate cookies, hot choco, chocolate fountain. It's really easy to fall in love with the place! I felt I was with Charlie inside the chocolate factory.

                                  

                                    

After we finished eating, Ed gave us a bit of lecture about how cacao was used in the making of the chocolates, as well as other chocolate products they are selling. Once we were done, he went outside with us to bid us farewell. He then recited our names to make sure he got them all right. He does this with all the guests, which I feel makes us feel important and not merely ordinary customers.  As for customer service, I'd give them 5 stars.

It was really a sweet, educational, and worthwhile experience for me and my friends. I'd definitely go back in there if I had the time and bucks. *wink wink*

More pics:

 

                     

Facebook page: Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique