Cool Hunting

I've found the best chocolate brownie in London, and it's made by Paul A Young. After three years looking for the perfect space, Paul opened his boutique chocolaterie in Islington, North London in the Spring, and hasn't looked back. It helps that it's on Camden Passage - a street that's become a word-of-mouth favorite among North Londoners for of its eclectic vintage furniture shops, laid back bars and stalls selling strange ephemera. Now, there's one more reason for everyone else to take note.

Having worked as a top pastry chef under the exceptionally talented, and unpredictable, Marco Pierre White, Paul's passion has always been for all things chocolate. These days, working mostly with Valrhona, he makes the usual taste incredible and the unusual taste like nothing else you have ever put in your mouth.

I thought Flour Power City cooked up the best brownies in London. Now I know that Paul does. Would you mix Marmite with chocolate? Paul has, and the result works, tasting incredible. He's also done the same with sichuan pepper, to great effect, and I think I heard him say something about chocolates filled with stilton, or some other sort of cheese. I'd trust him to make it work.

Last word to the brownies though. If you're in this neck of the woods - or even the Elk In The Woods two doors down - check them out. They're already becoming legendary after a matter of weeks. That's talent.

Paul A Young Fine Chocolates
33 Camden Passage
Islington
London N1 8EA
United Kingdom