Ana Bandeira Chocolates — Restaurant in Northampton

Based on the other comments, I expected to be wowed. Maybe I expected too much. The server was not welcoming. Perhaps she was having a bad morning. I ordered several pastries. The chocolate twist was great- flaky, crusty, chocolaty. The Brazilian cheese bread was good, interesting, a bit unusual, with the texture of a cheesy breadstick. The croissant was disappointing. I assumed it would be better than those served at Woodstar and Tart. It was not, flaky enough but not distinctive and it contained surprisingly little chocolate for a chocolate cafe. Were they afraid they would run out? Also, the chocolate was not sweet, which will please some and disappoint others. I would like Ana Bandiera to succeed. But I think they are going to have to up their game to make it in Noho. I intend to go back for a meal sometime and give it another go.

OK, three months later, I returned for lunch. Previously, I gave ABC three stars (see above). This visit was a five-star experience. I ordered the Caprese sandwich (I know, out-of-season) and it was great: a generous size, fresh tomato, arugula, mozz, with an oil dressing, on a crunchy baguette. The hot chocolate was creamy and rich. I also tried their signature Portuguese cheese roll -- chewy and flavorful. Prices are high, but ABC is worth the treat. I hope they're here in...

Because a good friend of mine was playing in their performance space, I took the opportunity to read in detail one of Northampton's newer eateries. Chocolate! Ana Bandeira chocolates focuses on "Bean to Bar" home grown in Brazil cacao/chocolate, and that is what they do best. From the details on their website to the fine confections in their Northampton shop, Ana Bandeira chocolates will delight the palette of any chocolate coineusseur. I even learned a new word from their website, "terroir" previously used to describe wine that imparts a particular aroma, taste, feel, etc., from where the grapes are grown. The term, taken from the french, now refers more broadly to foods like wine, chocolate, cheese, and such that have a flavor distinction noted from the land of their origin. Ana Bandeira chocolates have that terroir, pronounced, "terr-wah." After a brief duscussion with Pablo, on his 3rd day of work, I sampled some of the goods. Highly recommended. I give them 5 stars for family run business that brings new flavor to a favourite of...

Went in to pick up dessert on July 16th, 2022 for a dinner party and the staff member was very patient, kind and helpful in providing information on what each item was, the pricing, and providing recommendations. I felt like I was their priority, and was welcome to take my time deciding. It was interesting to learn about the background of the business, the chocolate comes from Brazil and everything is made in-house on site which comes through in the fresh and pure quality of the desserts!

I chose a handful of desserts including the strawberry cheesecake, the chocolate cashew cheesecake, a cowboy cookie, a brownie, and a chocolate covered strawberry. Everything was decadent, presented beautifully (the goodies were put in a box and wrapped with ribbon) and everyone really enjoyed!

One small suggestion I might make is to have pricing/labels more clearly indicated for the baked goods and desserts :)

I will definitely be coming back (curious to try the espresso drinks and breakfast options!), and encourage folks to give this new...