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Before the spring arrives (which we are all anticipating), there are still a few fun activities to enjoy while we wait. Namely, drinking plenty of tasty hot chocolate! So to get you through these last few weeks of winter, we’ve compiled a carefully curated list of the best hot cocoas to check out in the city. We had such a tough time “researching” for this, but hey, someone had to do it.
Owner Max Brenner got his start in Israel with his 10 retail shops that quickly grew into a chocolate empire and his Union Square establishment in 2006. Wanting his customers to experience his chocolate using all five senses, Max masked his restaurants in bright colors, menu items like Mexican spicy hot chocolate, chocolate chunk pizza and waffle fries dusted with chili and cocoa powder.
Award-winning French Chef Jacques Torres gained his expertise touring the globe with two-star Michelin chef Jacques Maximin at Hotel Negresco, as the Corporate Pastry Chef for the Ritz-Carlton and popular New York restaurant Le Cirque. He realized his American dream in 2000 when he opened up his first chocolate shop in DUMBO, venturing out as the first artisan chocolatier in the U.S. to start with cocoa beans when making his own chocolate. Chocoholics can now enjoy his mouth-watering works of art at five cozy boutiques throughout the city.
Two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director at ABC Sports Television, Maury Rubin, started The City Bakery after a six-day pastry course and hasn’t looked back since. After a baking apprenticeship in Paris, Maury opened the famous two-story neighborhood bakery on 18th Street, where he still serves as head baker, hot chocolate maker and creator of The Hot Chocolate Festival. The City Bakery also serves pastries, salads and sandwiches. It’s especially well-known for the salty, delicious pretzel-croissants.
This iconic Upper East Side restaurant was birthed by Stephen Bruce in 1954, where it quickly gained the attention of Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol and Jackie O, who requested the frozen hot chocolate recipe for a party, only to be denied by Bruce, who offered to come make them for her instead. Still popular today, customers can sit under large hanging lamps while ordering quirky items like Cleopatra’s Barge, Aunt Buba’s Sand Tarts and the Guinness Book of World Records Most Expensive Dessert, Golden Opulence Sundae for a whopping $1,000. Be prepared to wait between 1-3 hours as they only accept a limited amount of reservations.
Most famous for its scene with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in You’ve Got Mail, this Upper West Side gem embodies a classic European cafe with its floor-to-ceiling windows, soothing jazz and relaxed atmosphere. Cafe Lalo offers a wide variety of desserts, pastries, cocktails/spirits and breakfast items served all day. Be prepared to wait a little if you visit at night or on the weekend.
Sarabeth’s started out as a bakery and jam shop in 1981 by Sarabeth and her husband Bill Levine on the Upper West Side. An instant success, Sarabeth’s later opened nine restaurants, a jam factory and wholesale-retail bakery cafe. Sarabeth’s currently has five different locations in New York, offering a classy ambiance, homestyle menu and of course, a great cup of hot cocoa. Reservations encouraged.
Eataly was founded by highly successful Italian entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti, who wanted to make high-quality Italian foods available to everyone at fair prices and in an environment where people can shop, taste and learn. Oscar then teamed up with legendary chefs Mario Batelli, Bastianich and Lidia Matticchio to man the food and wine. Eataly offers a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and a market filled with imported Italian food items.
Maison Kayser was started by French baker, Eric Kayser, former trainer for the Institut National de la Boulangerie Patisserie. Opening his first Paris store in 1996, Kayser now has restaurants throughout the world offering an authentic Parisian atmosphere and a menu that closely follows suit.
Where is your favorite hot chocolate?
Next, take a behind the scenes look at the Mast Brothers Chocolate Factory in Brooklyn.
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