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HOT CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS
BY AMENA BAKR
Winter is here again bringing back those cold gray
days. And nothing chases away those winter blues better than a cup
of hot chocolate to warm up your day and boost your energy. Business
Monthly went on the hunt to find a great cup of hot chocolate.
It might’ve built its reputation as a favorite
coffee hangout, but recently Cilantro added an array of hot chocolate
concoctions that make it hard for even the diehard weight-conscious
to resist. Apart from their regular hot chocolate (LE 7.50), probably
the closest equivalent of melted chocolate in a cup, Cilantro have
spiced up their old recipe with flavors such as orange and mint
(LE 9.75). Another addition to their hot chocolate menu is the White
Chocolate, which is a heavenly, thick mix of ivory Toblerone-flavored
delight that would live up to the expectations of even the most
avid white chocolate lover (LE 9.75).
But for those classical hot chocolate fans to whom Cilantro’s
new variations are sacreligious, then perhaps La Gourmandaise’s
simpler version is in order. Purportedly made with some of the finest
dark Swiss chocolate, the medium-sized portion (LE 18) boasts the
traditional bitter taste of any good dark chocolate. A rich layer
of whipped cream works to reduce the bitterness of the dark cacao.
But once this cream disappears after the first few sips, the drink
leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste. On the downside, the chocolate
is served more warm than hot, which means it cools off in no time.
For a more fulfilling experience, Chocofolie, a snug little chocolatier
in Dokki, makes for an excellent choice, especially for those who
like to experiment with their hot chocolate. Their drink menu includes
an exotic selection, such as the Choc Shot (LE 9), a rich blend
of Belgian chocolate spiced up with a pinch of chili power and served
in a shot glass. Though seemingly strange at first, this rich flavorful
combination has a dynamite effect on your senses: first surprise,
then a subtle feeling of warmness. While the regular cup of hot
chocolate (LE 12) is also delightful, an additional LE 2 can get
you some marshmallows or flavors such as caramel, hazelnut or cinnamon.
Though limited in variety, Casper & Gambini’s in Citystars
mall also has a number of tasty chocolate drinks. The Sensational
Hot Chocolate (LE 11) is one of them. This rich cup of Swiss cocoa
topped with marshmallows has a smooth yet semisweet taste to it
– nothing that a bit of sugar can’t improve. The only
drawback is that the medium portion is relatively smaller than the
standard served at other cafés.
Our last stop was Trianon, which offers the traditional cup of hot
chocolate topped with a thick layer of fresh whipped cream (LE 9).
Although the chocolate used in this cup is Nesquick, it does make
a perfect choice if you’re looking for a large portion at
a reasonable price. But if you happen to be on a low-fat diet, the
amount of whipped cream in this cup may jeopardize your waistline.
COCOA PURVEYORS
Cilantro
3 Aboul Feda Street, Zamalek
Tel: 736-5627
Chocofolie
33 Amman Street, Dokki
Tel: 761-3389
Casper & Gambini’s
Citystars Mall, Floor 3, Nasr City
Tel: 480-2410
Trianon
Gameat Al Dowal Al Arabiya Street Mohandiseen
Tel: 345-2012
La Gourmandaise
First Residence Building
35 Giza Street, Giza
Tel: 579-2557
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