One hundred years before the Regency and another anonymous but fascinating painting: White's Chocolate House in London in 1708. It's rather hard to believe that there was really this freedom to chat and to mingle but how wonderful if true. 'London’s three top chocolate houses were White’s, which was known as “the most fashionable hell in London”, and Ozinda’s, both on St James’ Street, as well as the Cocoa Tree on Pall Mall, which opened in 1693. Inside, the houses were decadently decorated with dark wooden interiors and elegant furniture, complete with waiters, reminiscent of the Viennese coffee houses' (here).