Looking for a great cup of hot cocoa

[kolomya]

Is there any restaurant in D.C. or Md. that prepares hot cocoa like Jacques Torres in NYC? (Not interested in Va.)

[sweetpotater]

Jacques Torres' hot chocolate is particularly good because it is made of chocolate (and cocoa nibs) instead of cocoa powder.

[wombat]

Indeed, that's why the OP says it tastes like melted chocolate, because it is. But it's not a unique product these days, so if the Torres was your only experience of that, you might not have to go all the way back to Brooklyn to recreate the experience. If you don't want to mail order Torres or Burdick's you can buy similar products at fancy stores now - I just got some called Schokinag at Whole Foods that's not at all bad. If you don't want to make it at home, that fancy stuff they do at Starbucks - do they still have the one in the tiny cup? - might seem like exactly are looking for.

The thing is, what's the context for the OP's question. Have you only had hot cocoa made with cocoa powder before, and this was your first experience of hot chocolate made with chocolate? Or is it a question like 'I liked Torres chocolate better than Scharffen Berger, can I get something like that around here?"

[wombat]

You know, when someone asks where to get something at a restaurant, and someone posts suggesting how they make can it at home, it makes me want to poke them in the eye, but... you can buy Torres' hot chocolate on line. And while I haven't had theirs I've other fancy brands (Burdick's, etc) and all you have to do is heat milk to make it. All you need is a mug and a microwave.

Please don't poke me in the eye! It's a sort of thing that's really worth having at home.

[araghf]

Cafe Sureia in Brookland -- 12th and Otis NE -- makes Jacques Torres hot chocolate. Not sure if it as the Brooklyn original since I have not been there, but it is that thick, rich, somewhere-between-a-drink-and-sauce, JT hot chocoalate.

[debit]

I've had the hot chocolate at Jacques Torres, and I have yet to find anything to compare. But if you ever do, report back. If I could get that around here, I would be in heaven.

[Meg]

Not sure what's special about Jacques Torres' hot chocolate, but Starbuck's makes terrific hot cocoa. It's so rich that I get it sans whipped cream.

[ChocoHound]

How does Jacques Torres prepare hot cocoa? Are you looking for better than everage cup of hot chocolate or something specifically in this style of prep? Some traditional mexican restaurants do delicious hot chocolate - but it may be different than what you are thinking

[kolomya]

Don't know how JT prepares cocoa, but it tastes almost like hot melted chocolate, not like anything I've ever had. It was the richest, most delicious hot drink I've ever had.

[ChocoHound]

Try Mixtec in Adams Morgan. I'm not familiar with Maryland but if you ask around at your favorite authentic Mexican restaurant it is likely made the traditional way and will taste rich.

I also recommend Java Green on 19th street near K. The syrup they use is delicious ---much better than you'll find at most chain coffee shops but it may not be as thick or rich as what you have in mind.

[MikeR]

In that case, you want the $5 Hot Chocolate from Murky Coffee. Bring a friend and share. It's very rich, and a full 12 oz cup.

[Steve]

If the hot chocolate there is anything like City Bakery in Manhattan, then I can second bringing a friend. It's like drinking about 7 melted cholocate bars. Sinful, delicious, but I can't drink an entire cup by myself.

[strawberryfrog]

I think people are divided on it (I'm kind of neutral myself), but have you tried the $5 hot chocolate at Murky (on Capitol Hill)?

[chowser]

That article in the Post yesterday made it sound really good. They said it was more like a European chocolatier made hot chocolate than American hot cocoa. Might be very similar to Jacques Torres's.