NYC Offers Hot Chocolate That's Creative, Haute, Spicy

Hot chocolate is taking off in New York City, with some cafes charging as much as $14 a cup, according to The Wall Street Journal. The gourmet beverages are being served at restaurants such as a Michelin-starred Gotham Bar and Grill, which makes its drink with cocoa sourced from Costa Rica. The drink has an herbal flavor with a "black tea quality," according to Gotham Bar pastry chef Ron Paprocki.

While Gotham represents the high-end of the craze, plenty of other restaurants are serving fancy but more affordable versions in the $4 to $9 range, with extras available. Cronut creator Dominique Ansel offers the Blossoming Hot Chocolate, which features a marshmallow flower that opens after the drink is served, while Tetsu offers hot chocolate with spices like cardamom, a "toasted rice" topping, and the option to add a shot of exotic liquor.

The epicenter for the trend is believed to be Union Square's City Bakery, which has been serving gourmet hot chocolate since the early 90s and hosts an annual hot chocolate festival in February, according to the report. Full Story

Related: Chefs Make Effort to Move Away from Mainstream Trends; Diners Eat at Restaurants Almost Six Times a Week.

from Food Trends http://ift.tt/2n2LAkl