With a mention of chocolate, Lewis can be bribed coaxed into trying any new activity or store.
So into the car he went willingly one wet autumn Sunday afternoon for the half hour 20 km drive from the Perth CBD out to the Swan Valley. We were off to sample the Providore Margaret River in the Swan Valley which opened late last year. It is looking like it will be a wet winter this year and we are discovering more things to do on a rainy day.
Providore Margaret River
This is the third Providore to open in Western Australia after the original was established in 2005 in Margaret River and a 2nd store opened in the Perth CBD.
It is easy to locate at 5123 West Swan Road, right next door to its sister business the Margaret River Chocolate Factory. Whilst there were a lot of cars trying to get in and out of the car park we found a spot with ease and entered the Providore.
There were plenty of people inside trying the produce, but not uncomfortably so.
I looked at the huge selection of items available from flavoured oils, to jams, chutney, sauces (sweet and savoury) through to spice rubs for meats and wondered where to start?
After strolling past the people tasting wine at the Coward and Black Vineyard counter, I reached the last table offering jams and sauces.
The sign on the table read “Please do not double dip. Use as many spoons as you like“. This was all it took to start sampling.
At first I was being cautious trying not to throw away plastic spoons recklessly but after a few tastes that thought went out the window; the gourmet jams are just delicious. Another mother was obviously having similar thoughts to me about the waste of plastic as I heard her child ask can I have another taste, at first the mother stopped to think and then with abandon said why not?
If you stop to ponder whether you should try a particular flavour another customer coaxes you along advising that it was delicious and you must simply try it.
Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Finally Lewis got to have his reward and we walked next door to Margaret River Chocolate factory, he went straight to the window where you can see the chocolatiers making the delicious goodies – today they were making Rocky Road.
Then he wanted to see what the finished product looked like so we wandered through the huge selection of tables with various types of chocolate.
We found the white, milk and dark chocolate Rocky Road.
Then the lure of all this chocolate was too much and we lined up at the bowls of chocolate buds for a hand full off tasting chocolate.
Whilst I nibbled on my chocolate I looked at all the variety of things that they make with chocolate including soap, moisturiser, lip balm and bath salts.
There is also a cafe` serving coffee and cakes, however the only tables that were left were outside and the last place I wanted to be on this cold and wet day was outside in the elements.
So Steve purchased a couple of truffles for our supper later in the evening, Lewis’s tummy was filled with chocolate and then it was time to head back to our warm home.
My final thought about chocolate.
Which is your preferred item to taste
What a gorgeous way to spend a day! I wanted to melt into your images and try every-single-thing! Josefa #teamIBOT
Thanks Josefa, we had a lovely afternoon. It’s great to find some local places that are a short distance away to fill in a few hours.
I’d love to go visit the Swan Valley Margaret River area. I’m a sucker for chocolate so I would to visit that chocolate shop!
When you get there Bec there is also another chocolate shop – double the yummy good stuff.