While I’m writing up Paris must-experience eateries I thought I’d better mention Angelina’s. Their menu I would like to put in my vita-prep on high but the hot chocolate is just sexy. I mean look at that photo!
Yes…yes…YES!!! (oui…oui…OUI!!!)
How they make this magical thick hot chocolate is a mystery to me. There’s controversy in chocolate land on whether or not milk should be used, or cream, or a combination and whether powdered chocolate is prefered over melted. And yes, I have asked on several occasions what the secret is. And no, I never get a response – just a reminder that the hot chocolate is for sale in the lobby in a powdered version that I can make at home that doesn’t taste anything like what they serve in the restaurant. (It’s still good, just not as good).
Thankfully this is not my world or expertise, and I just know that I like coming here.
What’s not so sexy about this grand institution is that fact that the building is slowly crumbling and if you look close at the ceiling you will see paint peeling and water damage. The lighting is wannabe natural with an enormous florescent lit ceiling and some actual daylight that streams through the front window displays. I could do without the greenish glow – it makes me feel like I’m back in high school – and that’s a bad thing.
Despite the wear and tear and a few annoying 1970’s attempts at modernization, this place has held it’s ground on Rue Rivoli since 1903 and the gold gilt still covers the walls with a nod to a more opulent era. Opened by a Hungarian couple this cafe was once known as Rumplemayors. Famous people have long visited for the African hot chocolate (with not too sweet whipped cream served on the side – yum) including Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel, and maybe even YOU! They do serve a nice breakfast and an okay traditional French bistro fare lunch – I opt for the salads.
The waiters deliver excellent timely, friendly, and professional service and speak English. I enjoy the front of house hustle and bustle here. And the line that is toujours a mile long to get a table, moves fast. The hostess is on her game at all times and I have always been greeted and seated with courtesy.
The pastries are gorgeous and sometimes tasty. Yes, I really just said that. It’s so easy to be a critic isn’t it? When in fact each little dessert is a plethora of French pastry techniques requiring so much work and skill. Angelina’s pastry shop is very good but, but when you are living in Paris (or any city) you get to know certain places for certain things.
For me, there is something romantic about spending the day leisurely strolling through Jardin de Tuileries and taking in an exhibit at Le Louvre and then resting my weary feet in front of a heart warming, soul soothing cup of thick chocolat chaud.
Rain or shine, Angelina’s is legendary and Le chocolat Africain is divine.
For more recommendations on Angelina’s check out Paris by Mouth
Wonderfull pics of hot chocolate. I had a really nice chocolate at the Nespresso shop. I was surprised. I know what you mean about the pastries. Lenotre in paris had amazing looking stuff but the one I ate had no taste.
Sudhakahar! Surprisingly the Nespresso shop does do a nice hot chocolate and I agree with you about LeNotre. I love their take home savory foods – they are expensive but beautifully prepared in French tradition for upscale grab and go (fish covered in shimmering gelées, creamed veal or turkey in flakey puff pastry shells ready to reheat chez toi, smoked salmon terrines, etc.). But I’ve never been a huge fan of their pastries although their pastry school is rigorous and quite famous. Americans can take classes their too.
I don’t even know if I could say I have a favorite pastry shop because I like certain places for certain things. I love Pierre Hermes macarons and if that’s not an option then Laduree. I love the white chocolate bread from a bakery in the Marais….you get the idea 😉
Chocolate! Hot chocolate!! You’re right it does look sexy, and it sounds delicious… and not too sweet. I like a hot chocolate where the chocolate flavor is rich and sugar doesn’t overwhelm it. Hmmm… is it anything like Mexican hot chocolate? Sounds like we need to plan a trip to Paris just to eat!
Het
The pastries were much better than the food but my favorite was warming up with a bottle of champagne as we dodged the torrential showers outside 😉
The things that excited me when I went to France were the patisseries and chocolatiers, not really the usual monuments. I could not find Pierre Hermes.
I went to a little boulangerie near my hotel and the tarte au citron and apple tart were just gorgeous. Wished I could have eaten more.
My name is Angelina too! I just needed to share that your dishes look amazing and I love that we share the same name! Maybe one day I will be able to travel to Paris and come to your shop 🙂
Its thickness reminds me of my mother’s wonderful & famous hot chocolate. She used (sacrilegious I know) hot Jello chocolate pudding.
Wait hot Jello Chocolate? That could be delicious actually…. I’ve never heard of that?!?
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