City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate festival starts today and I must say I’m excited since I’ve been working near here. If you’re new to New York or love chocolate (or hot chocolate) I really recommend trying one. Be warned, they do sell out fast of their festival specials.
Get it with a homemade marshmallow!
Hot Chocolate Festival
City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
As a New Yorker, I tend to avoid tourist places due to higher price points and the crowds (and the long waits). However I do make an exception for Max Brenner‘s.
Max Brenner was one of the first places my fiance took me too when I first moved to New York City. I was amazed by the chocolate and the oddly designed drinkware. As well as the food was modestly We went there again a couple more times, but the price seemed more expensive and the wait suddenly was not worth it.
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| Making memories |
Recently, I had the opportunity to go back. ElleJay from Sherry and Cookies was in town and I was invited to a small get together. Max Brenner was on the agenda and I decided to give it another chance. Thankfully there was brunch on the menu.
Since it was St. Patrick’s Day, most of the table splurged on drinks.
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| Berry Nutty Professor |
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| Peach Lemonade |
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| Max’s White Russian |
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| Tiramisu |
I went with the Lazy Breakfast, presuming it was just your average “two eggs any style” staple. When it arrived I was very wrong and understood the “lazy” part of the title. I ordered and expected two eggs (sunnyside up) with bacon on the side and perhaps a roasted slice of tomato. Instead it was two fried eggs, tomato, and bacon bits as an omelette. Which was delicious and became a Max Brenner convert once again (at least for it’s brunch menu). My only disappointment was that the eggs were more cooked through than a runny yolk I tend to prefer.
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| Lazy Breakfast. |
On another note it also came with a sugar biscuit with butter and milk chocolate, as well as home fries. At first I was unsure how to use the chocolate, until it occurred that I could just drizzle it on the biscuit!
And the rest of our party’s lunches were just as delicious.
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| Pasta and paninis for everyone |
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| Kobe Beef Burger that was split in half with waffle fries and chili mayo. |
Taking into account that I was with Lolitas that day, we all chipped in for dessert. There was a sharing plate, a fondue for two, and banana tempura. And Max Brenner you should always save room for dessert, since chocolate is their specialty. Though be sure to share. This would be the only way you can finish without feeling guilty.
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| European Chocolate Fondue for two |
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| A sampler plate of everything on the dessert menu. Fondue not pictured. |
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| Banana Tempura |
Max Brenner is restaurant with slightly higher prices and long waits. When we visited there was practically no wait. They don’t take reservations for small groups, so if you are on a date have some topics of conversation on hand. But for chocolate it’s always well worth the wait.
Max Brenner
841 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
646-467-8803
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| Is there a doctor in the house? Specifically one that specializes in chocolate addiction |
The best part of winter is of course is heading out of the cold and making a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. And one of the best places in New York City is The City Bakery. I tend to like their hot chocolate because it’s thick and frothy – not to mention they offer giant homemade marshmallows to put into it.
City Bakery knows it has one of the best hot chocolate around, which is why they’ve created their own Hot Chocolate Festival.
Starting tomorrow, City Bakery offers a special hot chocolate concoction each day for a month (in addition to their regular cups of milk and/or dark chocolate). Go early for the special flavors, otherwise you’ll have to settle for regular. Either way it’s a win-win situation (it is chocolate afterall).
I’m looking forward to “Sunken Treasure”, “Moulin Rouge”, and “Ode to the Polar Bear.” How about you?
The City Bakery’s Hot Chocolate Festival
February 1st – 29th, 2012
3 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-366-1414
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| Designs from chocolate fashion show last year. |
It’s never a bad time for chocolate. Especially when one prefers chocolate over roses (though I may reconsider for chocolate roses). The 14th Annual New York Chocolate Show has begun, but you’ve still got time.
What other plans have you made for this weekend? None? Well any plans made have been automatically overruled in the name of chocolate.
There’s workshops, artwork, and couture chocolate fashion. And, of course, free samples.
I strongly recommend the wasabi-flavored or 5th Avenue Chocolatier truffles (which taste great frozen, I learned). Also get your tickets ahead of time, and perhaps a good book to read (the lines will be long, but worth it).
14th Annual New York Chocolate Show
November 10th – November 13th, 2011
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
Hours:
Thursday, November 10 – Saturday, November 12, 2011: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sunday, November 13, 2011: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
I dragged along the other half along last year check out pictures I took to convince you to go. Or see what you’re missing out.
Chocolate lovers should jump for joy, unite in masses and head to the City Bakery in Union Square during February.
Why? For the City Bakery’s annual Hot Chocolate Festival.
Hot chocolate is a fickle drink that acts like it’s always going through the “terrible twos.” It can be thick and syrupy or watery with lots of marshmallows or mixed with chili peppers because it wanted to see if it tasted good (Answer: it does!)
And for those who can’t get enough of it, the City Bakery started a festival where for each day in February they have a new flavor of hot chocolate. Sweet deal, no?
Try flavors like Moulin Rouge, Earl Grey, Arabian Nights or my favorite Ode to the Polar Bear.
Hot Chocolate Festival
City Bakery
3 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011
