It’s winter in the city, and you’re trying to stay warm. You could turn up the heat in the luxury Manhattan apartment you just bought with the help of Platinum Properties, grab a cup o’ joe on your way to work, or settle into a cozy café with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
The Big Apple has some of the best hot chocolate around, and the Manhattan experts of Platinum know just where to find the best of the best in the borough. Here’s all you need to know about hot chocolate in the city:
MarieBelle, 484 Broome Street
Chocolatier Maribel Lieberman offers rich hot chocolate flavors made with South American single-origin pure chocolate instead of regular cocoa powder at her SoHo shop and café. Feeling adventurous? Give the spicy hot cocoa a try and taste its chipotle-tinged smoky goodness.
Lavazza at Eataly, 200 Fifth Avenue
You might already know Eataly as a large slice of Italian cuisine heaven, but you might not know that its Caffe Lavazza has one of the top hot chocolates in town. Their thick and creamy cioccolata con panna is the perfect blend of dark and sweet.
The City Bakery, 3 West 18th Street
There’s no doubt: City Bakery’s hot cocoa tastes like pure melted down chocolate with a homemade marshmallow on top. Keep your eyes peeled in February: They host a Hot Chocolate Festival every year, and their goods at this annual cocoa feast somehow manage to be even better than their standard cup.
Oro Bakery & Bar, 375 Broome Street
Come during the day for the perfect afternoon hot chocolate pick-me-up, or show up at night and order a deliciously boozy version. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a hot cup at Oro’s.
Jacques Torres Chocolate, 350 Hudson Street
Though the “Mr. Chocolate” flagship retail shop is in Brooklyn, its West Village, Upper West Side and Midtown locations serve up the same chocolatey goodness. If you need a kick, look no further than the Torres’ Wicked: a blend of allspice, cinnamon, ancho, and chipotle chili peppers.
Le Churro, 1236 Lexington Avenue
Located on the Upper East Side, Le Churro specializes in Spanish style churros con chocolate. Dip your order of churros into a steamy and creamy cup of hot chocolate, available in eight flavors: chili, mint, Nutella, sea salt, and more.
L.A. Burdick, 5 East 20th Street
Nearby Flatiron? Stop by chocolatier Larry Burdick’s shop for some sweets and a great mug of hot chocolate. Get white, milk, dark, or a custom “black and white” blend. If you’re treating yourself to an after-work cup, throw in some whiskey, rum, or kirsch cherry liqueur, too.
Roni-Sue’s Chocolates, 148 Forsyth Street
Though this famous shop is known for its chocolate-covered “Pig Candy,” you can’t pass up its hot chocolate. Its mild sweetness and syrupy texture will surely hit the spot on a blistery New York day.
Francois Payard Bakery, 116 West Houston Street
Chef Francois Payard’s hot chocolate is like a molten hot milkshake, rich in both cream and taste. In the summer his bakery is the place to go for macaron ice cream sandwiches. In the winter it’s the hot cocoa that becomes everyone’s must-have.
Max Brenner, 841 Broadway
Salted Caramel, Marshmallow, and Mexican Spicy hot chocolate are only some of the flavors the well-known chocolatier has to offer, served in a “hug mug” for extra coziness. Max Brenner’s mastery of the trade is best exemplified by this classic beverage.
La Maison Du Chocolat, 30 Rockefeller Plaza
This house of chocolate, located in Midtown, offers two flavors : sweet and simple milk chocolate, and Caracas: an intensely rich liquid form of their best chocolate. Here’s a tip: simple’s great, but a hot cocoa called Caracas? Even better.
Vosges Haut-Chocolat, 132 Spring Street
This chic and classy establishment is known for their eclectic variety, and their selection of hot chocolate flavors is no different. Choose from the white-chocolate “Bianca”, the dark chocolate and vanilla “Parisienne”, and the chili-cinammon “Aztec Elixir”.
Locanda Verde, 377 Greenwich Street
Locanda Verde’s hot chocolate tastes like the epitome of homemade, complete with cinnamon and marshmallow. If you’re having dinner here on a Friday night and are looking for a fun way to warm up, ask for a Spiced Hot Chocolate and they’ll make it with a cardamom-spiked chocolate ganche.
Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, 1 Fifth Avenue
Don’t let the name fool you: Otto isn’t just a pizza place. Getting the ingredients to their hazelnut hot chocolate just right takes a few daysand more than one kind of chocolate–that’s why it tastes so good.
Cocoa Bar, 21 Clinton Street
This café by day, wine bar by night serves hot chocolate at all times. Try it with a mint or banana twist, or even pair it with some alcohol. The chill vibe and friendly staff make the Cocoa Bar hot chocolate experience even more enjoyable.
Summary
Winter in the city may be tough, but it’s easy to melt away the cold with just one sip of a delicious hot beverage. Don’t stray too far from your favorite hot chocolate spot by calling Platinum Properties at 212.825.0050 for sales and rentals in the area.
