Patrons hail re-opening of Chocolat Royal
Chocolat Royal, a high profile cafeteria and confectionery outfit in Victoria Island, Lagos, has re-opened for business after it was shutdown by the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria’s regulators of the food and beverage sector.
A visit to the eatery on Etim Inyang Crescent, in Victoria Island last weekend, showed an array of patrons some of whom told CityFile they couldn’t wait to see their treasured restaurant return to business after the shutdown which saw the outfit lose millions of naira for the period it remained shut.
“I have been in Nigeria for four years and almost on a daily I come here (Chocolat Royal) for my launch. I am so used to it that it became a challenge for me while the outfit remained shut. I am happy it’s back. It’s a relief indeed, said Anderson Stephen, an expatriate with an oil servicing firm in Victoria Island.
Stephanie Nyyong, a female banker who was seen making purchases of ice creams on the ground floor of the one-storey building outfit could not hide her excitement about the re-opening of the confectionery. Nyyong who described herself as a lover of Chocolat Royal ice creams, said the incidence leading to the closure was painful, but that “it feels good to be back”.
A tour of the various sections of cafeteria showed a business gradually bouncing back, with the managers determined not only to regain the confidence of customers and the Nigerian public, but put the immediate past behind them. The restaurant offers a range of foods including chocolate, ice cream, salads, pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, burgers among others.
Elie Yahchouchy, the restaurant manager offered some explanations about the immediate past and plans to sustain quality, retain customers and attract new patrons.
“The regulators came to carry out some investigations based on what they gathered. They needed to shut it down, so the shutdown period is what they used to investigate and check on whatever they needed to check on after which they declared it okay.
“Chocolat Royal has been known for standard and the least we can do is to improve upon that standard. The world keeps evolving just as technology keeps improving every day. No matter how good it was yesterday, something new comes up today. That is the focus for Chocolate Royal. It was good yesterday, it can be better today.
Appreciating the customers for loyalty, Yahchouchy said “we thank the public and our customers for standing by the restaurant for the period it was shutdown and for their understanding, but now the restaurant is up and running for better services.
“With the kind of services we’re offering, over times Nigerians will know that the standard is maintained. We started out about 21 years ago serving foreign dishes, but we are now introducing Nigerian dishes. You can find suya and locally made rice. This is different from the strictly Pan Asian foods. Right now, you can find some local dishes. Hopefully more will be introduced.”
“We have one message for our numerous customer; we are back, we are better, we are grateful to them for standing by us. Currently we are offering our customers discounted rates. That is one of the ways to appreciate them. The other is to strengthen the quality of what we offer,” Yahchouchy said, adding that the restaurant is equally helping young Nigerians to secure employment and build career in the food industry and confectionery business.”
JOSHUA BASSEY