As my hands turned red and my eyelashes threatened to freeze together, I chastised myself for venturing out into the Arctic weather. However, it was just then that I noticed a sign advertising four kinds of hot chocolate (orange, mint, praline and cinnamon)! The sign belonged to Manon Cafe, a cafe owned by Leonidas Chocolate.
I'm rather particular about hot chocolate. A regular cup of cocoa won't do... no powdered hydrogenated vegetable oil or flavored corn syrup for me! I need the real thing: melted squares of rich chocolate, smoothly blended with steamed milk. On several occasions, I have greatly enjoyed Leonidas' chocolate truffles, so I decided to try my luck with their hot chocolate.
I walked past the truffle display and up the steps to the cafe. Behind the counter, I saw what appeared to be bottles of flavored syrup. Disappointed, I asked the cashier if the syrups provided the flavors for the advertised hot chocolate.
"No!" he exclaimed. "Our hot chocolate is made only with squares of our pure Leonidas chocolate, blended with hot milk."
That clinched it. I ordered a large "Manon Mint" hot chocolate, which was thrillingly rich and creamy. The cup warmed my hands and the hot chocolate warmed my insides, making my trip outside thoroughly worthwhile.
Manon Cafe: 3 Hanover Square, (212) 422-9600.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
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3 comments:
Well, all can say is that while you were warming yourself on a mint chocolat delight, I was looking out the window watching the nucleus of atomic particles freezing. How cold was it? You might well ask. It is now a balmy -13.2; but, it is headed lower to, possibly, - 20. But, don't worry, with low humidity it won't feel so bad, tho' the wind-chill factor will be -35. Oops, I just heard another crack in the universe outside my very window. That's the news from the North Country.
Thanks for the tip on where to find good hot chocolate. I'm about to experience my first New York winter and am lapping up all suggestions to stay warm!
Hope you enjoy the hot chocolate, and welcome to NYC!
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