A Sweet Comeback Story Worth the Road Trip
For Ottawa foodies who've ever planned a Toronto weekend around a specific restaurant or shop, the return of CXBO Chocolate is the kind of news that makes you start checking Via Rail schedules.
Brandon Olsen, a Toronto chef with serious culinary pedigree from spots like La Banane, Bar Isabel, and The Black Hoof, is bringing back his beloved chocolate venture after a six-year hiatus. And this time, he's going bigger than ever.
The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of CXBO
When Olsen first opened Chocolates X Brandon Olsen (CXBO) in Toronto's Kensington Market back in 2016, it quickly became the kind of place that ended up on every serious food lover's must-visit list. His culinary training translated beautifully into the world of chocolate: visually stunning bonbons, unexpected flavour combinations, and truffles that managed to feel both indulgent and refined.
Then 2020 happened. Like so many beloved independent businesses, CXBO couldn't survive the prolonged uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Olsen and his partner Keenlyside were forced to close the doors, a gut punch, as Olsen himself described it.
"Losing CXBO 6yrs ago was definitely a punch to the gut," Olsen wrote in a recent Instagram post. "But I always knew I would get back into the world of Chocolate."
And get back he has.
Think Bigger, Much Bigger
The new chapter for CXBO isn't just a quiet reopening. Olsen is launching production out of a 16,000 square foot facility, a scale that signals serious ambition. That's a long way from a cozy Kensington Market storefront, and it hints at wider distribution and reach.
Details on retail locations and launch timelines are still emerging, but the chocolate world is buzzing.
Why Ottawa Should Care
Ottawa's food scene has grown considerably in recent years, with local chocolatiers and artisan confectioners carving out their own loyal followings. But the capital has always had a healthy appetite for what Toronto's best culinary minds are producing, and CXBO has long been on that radar.
For Ottawa residents who enjoy the occasional foodie day trip to Toronto, a visit to the new CXBO operation is already shaping up to be a worthy pilgrimage. And if Olsen's expanded facility means wider distribution, there's a real chance Ottawa shops and online orders could eventually be part of the picture.
In the meantime, keep an eye on Olsen's Instagram (@king_of_ginger) for updates on the launch. If his track record is anything to go on, the wait will absolutely be worth it.
The Bigger Picture
CXBO's comeback is also a reminder that passion projects, real ones, have a way of finding their second act. Olsen poured years into building something genuinely special, lost it to circumstances outside his control, and is now rebuilding with even greater vision. That's a story any food lover can root for.
Source: blogTO
