The Search For the Perfect Hot Chocolate
So I've tried the Jacques Torres spicy hot chocolate in DUMBO (so thick and rich I can never even finish a small without tossing the cup halfway through and walking the mile or so back to Carroll Gardens in the hopes of working a few hundred of the calories off) and I've waited in line for the classic concoction at The City Bakery (which really does cool too quickly in the ceramic mugs, and should always be ordered with the fresh marshmallow). I've experimented with the peanut butter hot chocolate at Chocolate Bar (a store that I believe also use Jacques Torres chocolate, but they serve it in a much more hip fashion that at the Torres factory where the staff members are affectionately called "oompa-loompas"), and I've enjoyed some take-out Mexican hot chocolate at Cafe Mexicana. However, I think my favorite hot chocolate in the city now comes from the semi-new Chocolate Room on 5th Avenue in Park Slope. Not only is the storefront run by a very friendly group of women serving up some rather fabulous chocolate delights, it serves a mean hot cocoa. Thick, but not too thick, chocolate-y but not overwhelmingly rich, the drink quickly acts to set the endorphins flowing and make distant memories of that cold and windy walk across the Gowanus.
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i recommend that you sit at the counter so you can watch them make all the amazing chocolate stuff. i didn't eat any of the triple-deck chocolate cake, but i think i got a sugar rush just looking at it :)
Try Mariebelle in soho, it's pretty fantastic. the hot chocolate room is in the back of the store; I recommend the spicy blend which has a dash of chipotle in it, and the heat cuts the sweetness nicely.
How about Lunettes et Chocolate, on Prince Street? It's served just right, not too big, not too small, not too milky, not too sweet, and not in brooklyn! (ha ha, just kiddin').
Cocoa Bar in Park Slope is delicious!
Slightly off the subject, but I'm wondering if there is a real consensus -- cobble hill v. carrol gardens -- what are the borders and why? And what do either of the names mean or signify as neighborhood names?
I think that is an excellent question for our Carroll Gardens expat wdegraw.. I'm sure he'd love to chime in on that one for us..
Found this on Carroll Gardens:
I like this bit about Gowanus. Cause "Gas House District" is just so much cooler than any other neighborhood name in the area.
"Ponkies" a smart new name for folks from Cobble Hill.
Mmm, Jacques Torres chocolate is the bomb! For the last two years in a row, Santa has left us a tin of Jacques Torres Hot Chocolate mix (the regular kind) in our stocking. You become a chocolate snob after having had Torres chocolate.
Thanks for the invitation, Dennis. Before I commit to a specific answer I will have to call Barbara Corcoran (the CorcoDevil) and ask her for her input. She's always changing it on me.
Otherwise, I can't commit until I know whether a KFC is really going into the old OTB spot. If so, Cobble Hill will be expanded to include that block. Carroll Gardens will be everything else South of Degraw, except for the address housing Dunkin Donuts - which I will call Boerum Hill South.
While I'm at it, if Sal's doesn't start serving a better slice (I still have sources), they're going to be re-zoned into Cobble Hill also.
Fight the KFC (but only after you've taken home a bucket of Original Recipe!)
I'm still ticked at Sal's for leaving the sausage off my pizza (on accident).. sure mistakes happen, but they basically said it was my problem.. gerr.. (sorry, that was off topic)
How about some solidarity between all neighborhood types
if KFC is not just a nightmare. No one wants it here; It's just a low class estab. that I and I'm sure most of you would rather not have to pass daily. Maybe bombard PETA with phone calls on this. Their thing now is "KFC tortures chickens" with Al Sharpton in their corner (you couldn't make this shit up). Get the local papers involved. Contact the local schools and make them aware of PETAs stance on KFC. Even a Kenny Rodgers would be better than this...A Starbucks? Its all relative folks...
go to www.smalltownbrooklyn.com for clear cut delineations between the neighborhoods - the Cobble Hill/Carroll Gardens seperation is odd but you can see it on their map pretty clearly.
I was just in Cocoa Bar in Park Slope the other day... AMAZING White Hot Chocolate!!
Plus, no parmesan for pizza? 5 bucks for non-customers to use the bathroom? Pizza is always on topic ...
I really loved the hot chocolate at Jacques Torres. I didn't try the spicy "Wicked" one, but had the classic which was delicious. Had the one at the glasses store in Nolita too -- very thick and rich, but still prefer Jacques. Can't wait to try the Chocolate Bar's though. The weather's been so mild, I haven't really been in the mood for chocolat chaud.
You can get MarieBelle hot chocolate at the Victory on State & Hoyt - they do a good job with it there. But for the best hot chocolate you MUST go to LA Burdick's in Boston. That's the bomb...
Must tell all of Brooklyn that there is a fabulous new lounge with a fantastic vibe on 5th Ave & 18th St. It's called Cafe Sutra. I met the owner who happens to be super sweet which these days is hard to find. They have fresh teas and really great coffee. I must say it's much better than Has Beans and is worth walking the extra couple of blocks.
Does anyone remember Ebels ice cream store on Court St?
What about Sams Italian restaurant? I hear it was still there about 2 years ago...
Anyone from St Peters Catholic School - 1960- 1965?
Or how about P.S. 29 1960 ???
anyone out there???
I love hot chocolate and the "Chocolate Room" is definately great and the staff is really nice. But since the weather is getting warmer I have been trying different things at the FrozenHotChocolate at "Cafe Sutra" www.mycafesutra.com is DEFINATELY delicious besides you can hang in the backyard when the sun is out..super cool...The drink combines the taste of hot chocolate with a refreshing frozen drink....really nice!!!!