Mariebelle in Soho
There are few things I am looking forward to eat during the cold days: cheese fondue, raclette, cassoulet, ramen and hot cocoa. And as we were looking for a new place for hot cocoa, we found Mariebelle in Soho. As you enter, you first see the elegant shop where they sell all sorts of chocolates and then, in the back, is the Cacao Bar, a small room that was packed. Too packed in fact and they should probably remove few tables so you are not literally back to back with the party behind you. We also saw a group of six women who were trying to get high tea in a very uncomfortable setting, the tables being too small for that.
Mariebelle in Soho
Cacao bar at Mariebelle in Soho
For hot chocolate, they have three main selections: dark, milk and white. I admit that I only tried the latter at the regretted Voges but prefer either a light dark like the Aztec that is made with 65% cocoa and that they distributed shots of, or milk, knowing that having a side of whipped cream helps reduce the sweetness and darkness of a hot chocolate and adjust in a way to your preference. In each section, they propose a nice number of choices with even a dairy free called Mestizo and you can have a small cup (4oz) or a large cup (8oz). So, Jodi has a small cup of milk chocolate (38%), while I had a larger version with hazelnut. Interestingly, hers was richer and sweeter than mine and I wondered if it was because we got the same amount of cocoa but I had more milk, hence diluting it a bit. Still, I found both hot cocoa delicious: they are like melted chocolate in a cup! Rich and yes, slightly sweet, the one with hazelnut was my favorite.
Aztec hot chocolate at Mariebelle in Soho
Milk hot chocolate at Mariebelle in Soho
Whipped cream at Mariebelle in Soho
Hazelnut hot milk chocolate at Mariebelle in Soho
We also got their chocolate chip cookie that was sublime: served hot, it was chewy, slightly crunchy on the outside with tons of chocolate inside (it was as if there was more chocolate than dough). Quite rich, I am glad we only had this with the hot cocoa (I was going to order a bunch of things but Jodi who is the voice of reason -do not tell her- stopped me).
Chocolate chip cookie at Mariebelle in Soho
Chocolate chip cookie at Mariebelle in Soho
Definitely, Mariebelle is with Jacques Torres, one of my favorites for hot chocolate. This is worth a visit!
Enjoy (I did)!
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Mariebelle - 484 Broome Street, New York 10013