I am currently suffering from a famine of all things baked, sugary, and dessert-like. I thought I could eat bananas to the ends of the earth, but it turns out that I am–dare I utter it–not feeling so much adoration for the yellow, phallic fruit as of late.
Oh those good old days when I would spontaneously bake a dozen chocolate chip muffins and then devour approximately 3/4 of them in less than 48 hours.
To say the least, Paris was a gift from the chocolate gods who showered me with their bounty on my brisk 4-day-vacay.
Well hello Oh Bio! Although the exclamation point is entirely of their invention, I’m all for the enthusiasm. If not for my failed gymnastic abilities I could have spun cartwheels, but could anyone blame me? An entire case chock-full of French pastries–eclairs, tartlettes of four mouth-watering varieties, flan–and all ripe for the vegan eatin’! Add Johnny Depp flashing me that sultry smile and a smouldering gaze behind those lanky dark locks and I’m catapulted straight into French fantasy land.
This chocolate eclair caught the sparkle of my eye and I thusly declared it mine. Yes 4 Euros ain’t cheap, but not when vegan French pastries are on the line.
As you can surmise, ’twas an utter disappointment. From every silky mouthful of chocolate cream, every bite of rich, glazed chocolate topping, all the way to the buttery pastry crumb: plumb awful, I tell you! So disgusting I nearly went back for another.
Do you dream of a land chock-a-block full of chocolate? Not any mere peasant chocolate, but those of the mildly-head-scratching variety and all overpriced beyond your wildest dreams? I have found this place and its name is ChocoLatitudes. Organic, fair-trade, and (mostly) vegan, this place has got your chocolate bases covered.
I told the kind lady proprietor that this was the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had and I’m nothing but a pitiable lier. Yesh, ziss vahs very guuuud.
I ordered “Le Plus Gourmand,” which comes with a glass of water (smart!) and a delectable chocolate biscuit. Made from oat milk and high-quality dark chocolate, this hot chocolate is assuredly a hop, skip, and a big fat jump away from the typical American hot cocoa watery substance. It was thick, creamy, and the perfect amount of sweet; lordy, I want some more.
And now for the finish: pear and dark chocolate sorbet procured from Berthillion on the Isle Saint Louis. I think the pear had self-esteem issues when paired with the holy-hell-that-is-intense chocolate; chocolate clearly won the day.
Chocolat, you continue to rule my life and Paris was no exception.
