Hot Chocolate in Paris

With the winter months approaching and the weather cooling off quickly, I am getting ready (mentally, not physically yet!) for a change in meals and beverages. I don't know about you, but I don't drink hot chocolate in the spring and summer. In the latter part of fall and winter, it's a go-to and I found myself craving some this weekend. On one of my 3 trips to Paris (visit #2), I stumbled across a fantastic spot near the Louvre that served the best hot chocolate I have ever had. It's called Angelina's and it's not such a find as I thought it was - apparently the hot chocolate there is well known! 

My first time in Paris was part of a family vacation. We did all of the typical tourist things - Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Versailles, Moulin Rouge, Notre Dame, and the list goes on. It all seemed great, but I wasn't seeing the Paris that everyone seemed to rave about - the decadent food, the atmosphere, and the cafe culture. [Speaking of the Eiffel Tower, I have heard that there is a new glass bottom floor! That'd be neat to check out.]

Photo from eatboutique.com

My second trip was courtesy of my employer. I was attending a conference and staying at a little non-chain hotel near the Louvre. Thanks to some internet searches and a stroll to determine food places in the area (always a must!), I stumbled across Angelina's and walked in. Not only is it a pastry/dessert shop, but there is also a restaurant which I actually did not try. Since it was November and below freezing at the time, hot chocolate seemed like a great idea and I was beyond shocked at how it tasted. This is not your Swiss Miss hot chocolate with tons of added sugar. It tasted like melted chocolate, a combination of milk and dark. During my 4 day stay, I went twice and also grabbed some of the dry mix to bring home. At the time, they were not set up for shipping or online ordering and I'm not quite sure they are at this time, either. Also worth a try there: some of the pastries or macarons. On this trip, I got to experience some of the decadence and cafe's Paris has to offer, mostly because I wasn't focused on seeing all of the big tourist sites.

Now, every time I hear of someone heading to Paris, I suggest Angelina's as a must-do and not one person has ever been disappointed! They also are gracious enough to bring me back some of the dry mix and I fortunately have been in a constant supply because of that, in addition to a day trip to Paris I made last year while in Europe. I will admit it is not the cheapest hot chocolate you will ever buy. It's one of my "luxury items" I like to keep around. Guests love it!

For those keeping count, my third trip to Paris was only a day trip, but I focused on checking some items off my must-see checklist: the catacombs, Ladurée (fantastic macarons!), the Claude Monet museum, and of course a repeat trip to Angelina's!