Guest Blogger – My Paris Correspondent

Some of you may remember reading about my dear friend and fellow Francophile, Shirley Riley. We met when we all lived in Mukilteo, WA; she attended one of theTravelskecther’s workshops titled: Yes! You Can Travel Sketch! Terry and Shirley became fast friends and soon, along with Shirley’s husband, Jim, the four of us were getting together often. We’ve since traveled with them in France on multiple occasions. Shirley has been a guest blogger here before; click here to read our post about the charming village of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in the south of France.

She and her husband, Jim, have since moved to Paris and she has agreed to periodically write blog posts which I will share here. I refer to her as My Paris Correspondent, and this is her first post, of which I hope will be many more! This is an absolutely delightful post and I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I do. Shirley and I would love to hear from you, so leave a comment if you’d like.

The Start of a Love Affair….We never quite know when we are going to fall in love. It’s not something you can plan for….and may happen when least expected. But when it happens you know it as I found when, as an adult, I had my first encounter with The Real Thing. Unsuspecting, I was seated at an outdoor cafe in Paris when I looked up as a white aproned waiter approached, unloaded his silver tray and left me alone with cup, saucer, and two heavy little pots, A few moments later I realized that I had fallen deeply in love…No, not with the waiter; with Chocolat Chaud (aka Hot Chocolate).

Remember Nestles Quick? You recognize the tin in the photo. Just pry off the lid, scoop chocolate powder into milk, stir and drink. When I was a child my mother would sometimes mix up a glass of chocolate milk; once I think she may have heated it up to treat me to a cup of hot chocolate. Thanks, Mom, but—whatever. It just didn’t move me—cold or hot. I had no idea what was to come later in life that would become an obsession.

Fast forward several decades—and back to that cafe in Paris in the area of the Pucés flea market where it all began. Because the afternoon was chilly, I ordered hot chocolate, expecting a mug filled with warming liquid. What I got was an event: an oval platter, a spoon, two hot and heavy little silver teapots, and a bowl (yes, a bowl) of whipped cream.

I caught on quickly, realizing I was to mix it up myself—and so I did. Melted chocolate poured from one pot, hot milk from the other—stir—add as much or as little whipped cream as one would wish, stir again. And then….drink slowly and savor. I regret not having a photo of that very first chocolat chaud experience, but have captured others over the years that I am happy to share (although I doubt I would be as generous sharing the actual drink…)

I now live in Paris—not because of hot chocolate, but that is a definite perk! Every cafe in France has its own method of serving chocolat chaud, some simple and others delightfully complicated—and all very satisfying. While difficult to pick a favorite, Carette in Place des Vosges is amazing. The server brings a cup and saucer, then pours thick hot chocolate in a single stream.

Carette is simply The Best. That said, Pierre Herme is another hot spot for chocolat chaud—simple, thick, beautiful and served with pride by attentive staff with a little bonus bite of chocolate on the side.

While many tourists swear by Angelina’s, in my practiced opinion their hot chocolate is good but not up to par with Carette or Pierre Herme or even Laudurée of delightful pastel colored macaron fame. At Pierre Herme, they deliver the cup with their initials or a heart floating on the chocolat-ie surface.

One cafe creatively delivers a cup coated with a chocolate design inside—and you pour the hot milk on top and watch it dissolve.

While some arrive with way too much whipped cream, it’s part of the package—and makes you smile! Whether served in a delicate cup with saucer or a serious mug, in a shallow bowl, a double walled glass cup to cradle in both hands, or in a fancy glass—chocolat chaud is a delight to sip and enjoy.

On occasion I have finished my drink before thinking about snapping a photo (sorry).

Sometimes the pleasure is where one enjoys the drink. This week I ordered a cup of chocolat chaud at a Christmas Market at the foot of Notre Dame. It was in a tatty paper cup and was somewhat lukewarm—and it just did not matter. It was all part of the experience!

Personally, I like mine served very hot, so always order it trés chaud. As you can….I LOVE my chocolat chaud…..