The Quest for Chocolat Chaud in Paris (Part II- Ritz)
Apparently the competition for the best chocolat chaud in Paris is fierce. After visiting Angélina and being disappointed with the experience, I began hearing whispers of other places in Paris that were rumored to give Angélina a run for its money.
Never one to back down from a challenge, I took it upon myself to find out who should be crowned the king of Parisian hot chocolates. List in hand, the quest began.
With Angélina out of the way, it was onto the next stop, the Ritz Paris Hotel, land of glitz, glamour, and apparently divine chocolat chaud at The Bar Vendôme.
Perfect hot chocolate at The Bar Vendôme came with a perfectly hefty price- 8,50 Euros per serving. However, each serving came in a pitcher that yielded around 2 cups. No requisite side of whipped cream, just pure hot chocolate. An added bonus was that the server also brought out a small plate of complimentary petit fours, another reminder that this was no ordinary café or bar.
This was the hot chocolate I had been dreaming of- hot and thick, dark and aromatic. It was also smooth and coated the tongue like liquid gold. Deep complex flavors, but not too cloyingly sweet. Like most cafés in Paris, the hot chocolate was served with extra sugar on the side in case your sugar quotient ran sweeter. It was definitely a drink to be savored slowly, especially in the posh opulence of the room, with its glittering patrons drinking champagne and the man at the grand piano tinkling away.
Although I highly recommend The Bar Vendôme, you’ll have to remember that this is still the Ritz- polite but insistent staff at the door will ask you why you are entering the hotel (just say you are going to The Bar Vendôme), dressing nicely helps, and the price tag will probably make you consider this place for special occasions only. But then again, any occasion is an occasion for perfect hot chocolate. The standard has been set high by the Ritz, but if something out there in Paris is better, I intend to find it. Next stop, Jean-Paul Hévin- stay tuned!
Thanks to loyal reader Daniel for submitting his Ritz chocolat chaud photo!
Ritz Paris- The Bar Vendôme
15, place Vendôme
75001 Paris
01 43 16 33 63
The Quest For Chocolat Chaud
The Ritz in Paris is a great place for special occasions….