Hot Chocolate, Cold Turkey

…No contest, really. 

The only way I’ve ever been able to relate to smokers is via sugar.  I know it's not good for me, and I'm getting better at cutting back; but I still do it.  So when the news broke that they were going to put disease graphics on cigarette packs, I instantly knew it wouldn’t work.  It would be like slapping obesity images on chocolate bars.  I’d still eat them.  Wouldn’t you?

Last week I did a yoga teacher training workshop in SoHo.  For three days I was immersed in the philosophy of acceptance and appreciation versus attachment and aversion.  So what do I do at lunchtime?  Head straight over to Ladurée in Piccadilly.  Granted, my excuse was that I was buying a gift from this most famous little jewel, the same shop I hit on my tour de chocolat chaud in Paris.  Once there and macaroons chosen for my present, I asked if they also happened to sell their hot chocolate mix.  “Well,” said the girl, “You can buy this cocoa powder here, but we also have the hot chocolate to go in paper cups.”

What?

You mean the slinky, thick, almost-molten-chocolate-bar-that-clings-to-the-inside-of-the-cup hot chocolate, in a paper cup?  Something so precious, to be slurped in the Smoke like Starbucks?  I couldn’t believe it. 

I brought my little box of macaroons to the till and asked for my takeaway. Then I took it outside and perched on the steps outside the Royal Academy, taking each mouthful in slowly, drag by drag.

Ladurée is at 71-72 Burlington Arcade, W1J 0QX.  Amazingly, the hot chocolate is only £2 a hit.

Comments

[grace morffiz]

please read my comments about Mai-yam-ee

[Nadya]

I'm sorry, but Laduree in London kind of depresses me. Don't get me wrong -- I absolutely love Laduree, but to me it must be a Parisian experience. If all I have to do is walk 20 minutes to get a fix, then what do I have to look forward to when I go to Paris?

[Su-Lin]

Oooh! I've never had Laduree's hot chocolate. That's on the list of things to try. Down the road at La Maison du Chocolat, they have some wonderful hot chocolate too, also available for takeaway.

Nadya, look forward to Pierre Herme's macarons! ...mmmm......

[Jess]

I hear you, Nadya, and had similar reservations. Like most things, however, it's just going to taste even better in Paris, don't you think?

Su-Lin, now there's something to go back for!

[Nadya]

Su-Lin -- Indeed! Pierre Herme's macarons are worth waiting for ages outside his little shop in the cold and rain. Divine! The pistacio one is to die for.

For the classic Laduree experience go to the shop at Madeleine. Sit downstairs (wait if you have to) and enjoy the chocolat chaud and the best people watching in the world.

[acme]

I'll be in London in December; I see myself sipping hot chocolate while listening to an afternoon concert at St. Jame's Piccadilly...something to look forward to!

[LizDoesLondon]

Hey Jessica-
Thank you for alerting me that there's a Laduree here in London, so I don't have to travel to Paris for it. Besides, Paris has so many other fabulous culinary wonders to choose from ...