Hot chocolate, hot spots

Touring the city’s best spots for the sweet stuff

12/28/2011 4:53 PM

By ELIZABETH DIFFIN
Staff Writer

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Hot chocolate may not have reached the popularity of coffee or tea, as Thomas Jefferson once predicted, but is there any better way to warm up after a frosty outing in Chicago winter?

Kids and adults everywhere will agree: There’s something about hot chocolate that seems to just hit the spot when the weather turns cold. So I took two girls to hunt down the city’s best hot cocoa, perfect for little tummies and grown-up taste buds alike.

Put down that packet of Swiss Miss and check out one of these three faves to appease your inner chocoholic. This is the cocoa you’re sure to covet all winter long.

Ghirardelli


When you need a break from all that Michigan Avenue shopping, head to this popular chocolate heaven, where squares of that famous candy are handed out at the door. In the ice cream parlor-styled café, chocolate is everywhere — and they certainly don’t scrimp on the cocoa front.

Sweet-and-salty fans will love the Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa, while traditionalists will crave the Classic Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa. Only the truest chocoholics will go for the Decadent Drinking Chocolate, which tastes like a candy bar in a cup.

With a primo location right on the Mag Mile, Ghirardelli stays busy, and there’s no bathroom for the public. But this American-style hot chocolate is sure to hit the spot.

Pierrot Gourmet


For those craving a taste of Europe, Pierrot Gourmet, the restaurant of the Peninsula Hotel, is a great place to start. You’ll feel like you’ve been transported directly to France once you see the macaroon-filled pastry case, which also features holiday treats to make your mouth water.

On top are large glass canisters of crushed chocolate, the base ingredient for the ultra-rich cocoa. The hot chocolate comes in two varieties — dark chocolate and white — topped with tons of whipped cream.

While only the sweetest of sweet tooths will enjoy the white chocolate, all of the hot chocolate can be customized with flavor shots, so each cup is made-to-order.

Bittersweet


The girls were sure to grab a sample on the way in to this airy café, where tantalizing treats line the pastry case. Bittersweet also offers savory options to balance out the sweet, helpful considering one of the kids quickly pointed out that the hot chocolate “tastes like a dessert.”

Kids will enjoy the sophistication of serving themselves (with mom or dad’s help), since the cocoa is brought to the table on individual trays, complete with cup, teapot and a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

So is the slight citrusy flavor of the Mexican hot chocolate, reminiscent of those milk chocolate oranges you used to get in the toe of your Christmas stocking.


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