HOT CHOCOLATE. THE BEST. NEED I SAY MORE?

(I delve in with cream and chocolate at the ready, to swirl in my mouth)


(the aftermath)


(a petite pot of cream rests, awaiting its meeting with le chocolat)


(Parisians and tourists alike shop at the patisserie portion of the restaurant)


After reading about the hot chocolate at Cafe Angelina in a fantastic graphic novel, French Milk, I knew we had to put a visit on our 'must-do' Paris list. It did not disappoint. In fact, it was the mother of all hot chocolates, by far the best I've ever had. With the consistency of mud and the flavor of a thousand melted bittersweet chocolate bars, it was sublime dirty erotic deliciousness squared. It just had so much flavor, I couldn't get over it! Each time I set the cup down, I had to load up my spoon with the whip cream and do another sip all over again. The setting, a palatial room full of creams and golds, matched le cocoa completely in terms of opulence and splendor. A feast for the eyes as well as the belly. Definitely worth the steep price of admission! 7 euro for a big pot of velvety chocolate bliss + decadent whip cream + extreme fab setting = priceless.

If you go -- and you must!

226 Rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, France
01 42 60 82 00

PLUS -- I saw THE Sonia Rykiel walking her tiger-striped greyhound right around the corner from here, on her way to Jardin Tulieres, so keep your eyes open. I once read she's the president of a Parisian chocolate club, I long to join such a thing. Perhaps I shall start one in Portland.