Hot Chocolate

I was expecting some great desserts at Hot Chocolate, but the rest of the menu was solid as well! We had planned on saving room for some hot chocolate and dessert, but with so many things to try, we barely achieved that goal- we started off with bay scallops (pan seared bay scallops, roasted spaghetti squash, watercress pesto) and shrimp and grits (Plapp Farm grits, grilled shrimp, bacon and smoked tomatoes), both were delicious and a great way to start the night. For our second course we had the cassoulet (peasant stew made with local beans, Gunthorp Farms duck leg confit, house-made sausage and goose fat pie dough “streusel”) and the mac n cheese (elbow macaroni and a creamy cheese sauce made with Roth Kase gruyere and Carr Valley mammoth cheddar). These dishes were the epitome of comfort food; rich and hearty. We originally had a case of our-eyes-being-bigger-than-our-stomachs and wanted the pork belly and duck breast salads as well but our stellar waitress was kind enough to warn us that we still needed to order dessert! So for dessert we got the Mexican hot chocolate, the medium hot chocolate (milk, dark, and caramel) and the peanut butter marjolaine. The hot chocolates were so delish and decadent that we couldn't get half-way through them, so we were given to-go cups and I thoroughly enjoyed the Mexican chocolate immensely the next day! The food here is great, the atmosphere comfortable, casual, yet stylish, and the service wonderful. It was a great time!

Try as many as you possibly can. Innovative and delicious.

Mindy Segal is simply the best pastry chef I know. Hot Chocolate is her restaurant. She cooks savory food very well also and with her Chefs creates one of Chicago's must go to spots for foodies. The service staff tries hard to keep up with the huge crowds on weekends, so plan your time accordingly. After enjoying steamed mussels, a cheddar melt, skirt steak or arctic char order 2-3 desserts per person or you'll be sorry. The hot chocolates, anything with salted caramel, banana or ice cream is where I go, but look around, Mindy has yet to disappoint anyone with a sweet tooth!

I have only been here once but when something like homemade granola is memorable - you know it is good!