Gillian’s Lists
"The list is the origin of culture,” Umberto Eco. My favorite things to do and eat in Rome, European city breaks, and the best information on Italian beaches and islands.
2.27.2015
Hot Chocolate in Rome {Winter in Rome}
Earlier this week I talked about some of my favorite thing about winter in Rome. I left one pretty important thing out. I didn't forget. I just think that hot chocolate deserves a post of it's own. These are some of my favorite places to have hot chocolate in Rome.
A few words of advice first. The words to know are Cioccolata Calda. Look for sweet hand lettered signs in cafes and for a clear vat of melted chocolate being slowly stirred behind the bar. There are two kinds of hot chocolate in Italy. There is the thick, almost pudding-like kind, made from a mix that pretty much every bar serves. That is not the kind that I like. It's too thick and kind of gluey for my taste. What I am looking for silky, melted chocolate that is thick enough to coat a spoon, but most definitely a warm drink and not a warm dessert. I think there should always be whipped cream involved. Either already on top or served in an elegant silver dish. With whipped cream, all ways are good.
Grom
Several Rome locations. I usually go to the one on via Giubbonari 53
This is where I go for a quick fix. This natural ingredient gelato chain has three hot chocolate choices Fondente (dark chocolate), Latte (milk chocolate) and Bacio (milk chocolate and hazelnut.) I am a traditionalist and really prefer my hot chocolate on the sweet edge of bitter, so I always choose latte. Another great thing about Grom is the option to add a scoop of gelato to your drink. Kind of like having your cake and eating it too, Italian style.
Ciampini
Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina
I love going to Ciampini. Starched tablecloths, heavy silver, beautiful piazza, great street theater Camping has it all. The hot chocolate is rich and glossy and the whipped cream a perfect cold contrast.
Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè
Piazza Sant'Eustachio
Do you need a shot of caffeine to go with your chocolate? Sant'Eustachio is the place to go.A marrochino is what to order. A tiny, just bigger than a shot glass, is filled first with a perfectly pulled espresso, then chocolate and finally topped with whipped cream. It is a perfectly sized indulgence.
Labels:
How to be Roman,
rome,
winter
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Yummelicious!
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