For over 200 years Ryde Esplanade has provided Islanders and visitors alike with a range of shops and hotels, from the elegant and sophisticated to the tacky and workaday. The Victorian chemist's on the Esplanade now houses an unusual addition to the seafront; definitely on the elegant end of the spectrum is the Chocolate Apothecary.

This new venture is not only a factory for hand-made chocolates, but is also a café where one can buy cakes and coffee and what it describes as pâtisseries.

Cat had been straining at the leash for some days after she saw this place opening. It's probably no revelation to anyone that there's something about girls and chocolate, and Cat's not immune to that magical allure. So before long M & C were strolling casually along the esplanade and just happened to find themselves at the Chocolate Apothecary in time for an afternoon coffee. Taking in the gleamingly-clean picture windows and the invitingly dark interior, the pair ventured inside.

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When it was the camera shop Nicholson's, the store extended way back, shelves crammed with plastic rain bonnets, powder compacts and, of course, photographic supplies. In its new incarnation, the back end has been sectioned off, leaving a small but exquisitely turned out café. The fittings of the Victorian chemist are still there, with their rich, dark chocolaty colours and faded gold-leaf lettering all adding to the mystique. However, instead of potions and snake-oil, the dark wooden shelves and cupboards are full of chocolate. At the rear is a glass counter containing an impressive display of freshly-made confectionery and cakes. Beyond that one can clearly see that this is where the chocolates are made.

As Matt and Cat wandered in, two assistants in white lab-style coats leapt to their stations and a third politely approached M and C with a tray of chocolate brownies, cut into bite-sized pieces. Unable to resist, your reviewers sampled the lady's wares and without much ado made their way to the counter. A moderate selection of coffees and a more comprehensive range of teas were on offer along with the eponymous chocolate. Enticing ranks of exquisite chocolate-covered cherries, truffles, and strawberry cups could be seen alongside hefty slabs of chocolate encasing nuts, fruit and all manner of sweet delights; a chocolate-lovers paradise.

Cat rather unexpectedly swerved away from the chocolate - perhaps she was overwhelmed by the choice? Instead she chose the tangy-sounding citrus drizzle cake and a cappuccino. Unlike The Cat, Matthew was unable to resist the venue's chocolatey wares and was taken with the white chocolate with hazelnuts and candied lemon to be washed down with a latte.

Whilst ordering their afternoon's sweet treats, Matt and Cat chatted with the proprietors of the café. M and C learned that they had been in business for several years working from a variety of places. It seemed that a lot of their confectionery was sold wholesale and they were hoping to make a year-round success of the café. This was a laudable aim; in times of recession apparently people tend to cheer themselves up with chocolate. However, like many High Streets, Ryde already has a thriving specialist chocolate and coffee shop in Thornton's. Will the market be robust enough to keep both places afloat?

Having paid up, Matt and Cat made their way past the scrupulously clean tables inside the café, choosing instead to sit at a pavement table and watch the world go by. This was August Bank Holiday Monday so there were still a few scooterists buzzing about, plus a succession of classic cars cruising up and down the seafront. Within moments the coffees, cake and chocolate were delivered. Cat's cake came in a crazy-looking melamine scallop shell and the coffee had a cute little doily and an apostle spoon. Alas, the cake wasn't a juicy as Cat had hoped - it was more like Victoria sponge. It was certainly nice and was a good accompaniment to the coffee. Because it didn't quite make it to her acme of lemon drizzle cake, as made by Tony Ridd's mum - The Cat offered it to Matt who was happy to finish it off.

However, typical of a man and a woman, a miscommunication occurred. Cat, by offering her cake was hoping to be offered some chocolate in return. Matt, being unable to read this discreet signal ate the cake and all of his chocolate without offering her any. If only he could read the nuances of the Cat Code! If only she'd explicitly said what she wanted! Alas she could only have the vicarious pleasure; Matt said the chocolate was very nice, "as indeed it ought to have been at that price". Matt and Cat decided that they were paying a premium for the Chocolate Apothecary experience which included excellent waitress service for, not long after their food had been delivered, they were asked if it was OK. Once the plates and cups were empty they were removed and the table wiped whilst they were still there. Overall it really was a very pleasant atmosphere and presentation.

A year ago, if a hypothetical stranger had asked Matt and Cat if what Ryde Esplanade needed was a chemist-themed chocolate manufactury, they'd have been likely to give them a quizzical look. But patently they'd have been misguided: this was a niche just waiting to be filled, and the Chocolate Apothecary is attempting to do so. The apothecary theme was very cleverly implemented; too much pharmacy atmosphere would probably be off-putting, but the venue carries this delicate balance off with panache. It is an unashamedly high-end retailer, selling expensive, top-quality goods in a parade which includes shops of a decidedly down-market and seasonal nature. So this new venture cannot be without its risks. However, with years of experience and a wholesale market to support their product, here's hoping that the café will prevail.

Visit the website: http://www.chocolateapothecary.co.uk/