265339 Fri Jan 28 18:54:38 -0800 2005 14 26 International 0 1400490 All right chocoholics, I want to hear from you! I have 3 places calling my name to try their hot chocolate and I don't know if I'll be able to get to them all (I'm hoping so, though!) -- Angelina's, Maison du Chocolat, and La Charlotte de L'Isle. I'm sure we'll get to La Charlotte since we're staying on the Ile. St. Louis. But what of the other 2? Or is there one even better than those? For the record, I ADORE dark chocolate...nothing is too dark for me (well, I don't nibble on the 100% unsweetened stuff, but I've gone as high as 86% and loved it.) I recently tried the Starbucks Chantico -- "drinking chocolate" I think they're calling it -- and it was good, but it didn't strike me as coming close to what I'm going to get in Paris...at least from everything I've read so far. Merci encore, Nina Fri Jan 28 18:54:38 -0800 2005 0 Nina 1 1400493 I don't drink much hot chocolate, so I can't help you on taste, but I know that Angelina was bought three weeks ago by a large French restaurant group that owns several French mini-chains. They've promised to "fix" Angelina up while maintaining the original spirit... Who knows if the quality will change or not? If you like chocolates for eating as well, some of my favorites in the world are Puyricard, which is actually a Provencal company, but they have two boutiques in Paris. Also Jean-Paul Hevin, who come to think of it also has a salon de the, and therefore must serve hot chocolate. There's several Hevins around town, but the main one with the salon de the is Rue Saint-Honore. Fri Jan 28 20:48:57 -0800 2005 1400490 0 Elaine(Snutteplutten) 2 1400503 Those places are on my list...the NY Time had a write-up last month of the best chocolatiers in Paris. Coupled with Patricia Wells's book, I'm planning to map out a "chocolate day" where we walk all over the city, enjoying the sights while discovering the best chocolates in town. :) Will have to restrain myself and only enjoy a piece or two at each place...and buy some for later and/or to take home. We can bring chocolates back to the States from Paris, can't we? My sons are counting on that!! Sat Jan 29 09:24:36 -0800 2005 1400493 0 nina 3 1400506 You can definitely bring back chocolates. The only thing is that (unlike Godiva, for example) they don't use preservatives, and so they always warn me at Puyricard to eat them w/ in a couple of weeks. Somehow that's never a problem! Off to check out the NYT article... Sat Jan 29 09:46:48 -0800 2005 1400503 0 Elaine(Snutteplutten) 1 1400499 I would like to add two places: La Fountaine au Chocolat in the Rue Honore: this place is my personal favorite. Michel Cluizel makes the best dark chocolat, and his sister Catherine is running this wonderful place where you can enjoy hot chocolate like nowhere else. Also recommended is the hot chocolate at Laduree. Link: http://www.laboutiquemichelcluizel.com/contact.php Sat Jan 29 05:32:21 -0800 2005 1400490 0 Michael 2 1400504 Was planning to go to Laduree for macarons, so might indulge in the chocolat chaud there as well. :) I feel the sugar rush coming on already. Thanks for the other suggestion. Will add it to my list and see if I can make it there as well. I could easily see planning a WEEK in Paris around all the chocolatiers!! Sat Jan 29 09:26:23 -0800 2005 1400499 0 Nina 3 1400548 Don't go to Laduree for macarons. They do the stuff (like the Ispahan) that Pierre Herme created, but they don't do it well. Go to Herme's own place. I forget the address but it should be easy to find. Mon Jan 31 06:44:36 -0800 2005 1400504 0 pieeater 4 1400619 Pierre Herme's place is at 72 rue Bonaparte, 6e. There is no place to eat in there - although you will want to dive in right away, all the confections are so heavenly. But I also suggest that you check out the Laduree on the rue Royale in the 8e just for a teahouse experience you won't find anywhere else. Tue Feb 01 19:17:25 -0800 2005 1400548 0 whz 3 1400882 Laduree's hot chocolate is great, and the room is amazing. Wed Feb 09 11:12:16 -0800 2005 1400504 0 Peter Cuce 1 1400517 For hot chocolate, forget Paris (well, not completely) and go to "Rivoire" (at least it has a french name) Piazza della Signoria, Florence (followed by a grappa of course). Sat Jan 29 17:07:46 -0800 2005 1400490 0 leigh 2 1400878 Rivoire's is good, but I'd have to say that Angelina's beats their hot chocolate hands down! Wed Feb 09 10:33:41 -0800 2005 1400517 0 em 2 1402039 Rivoire has the best hot chocolate bar none, but you can only get it in the winter. i am not sure when they start serving it exactly, but i remember going every week for about 6 weeks before they would give me any. Tue Mar 15 04:07:35 -0800 2005 1400517 0 Megan 1 1400527 Another chocolate idea is to compare macroons. Travel from great shop to great shop and collect and then compare. Sun Jan 30 12:23:30 -0800 2005 1400490 0 Nancy S. 2 1400538 A wonderful thought! I was definitely going to go to Laduree as everything I've read says they have the best macarons. I know I'm going to gain at least 10 pounds on this trip!!! Sun Jan 30 19:30:05 -0800 2005 1400527 0 Nina 2 1403493 Two recommendations: Carrette, at 4 Place du Trocadero in the 16th, and Les Deux Abeilles, at 189 rue de l'Universite in the 7th near the Eiffel Tower. It is crucial to order the whipped cream at both places! Link: http://www.ftraintoparis.motime.com Tue May 03 06:30:27 -0700 2005 1400527 0 Lisa