I can’t believe it took a girl from the Midwest — Alexandra Franzen — to drag me out to an icon in my own town! City Bakery is located on West 18th Street between 5th & 6th Avenues, & it’s a must-see/must-gulp for anyone in New York City.

Sure, it’s popular with tourists, & as such, some of the reviews on Yelp are a little unfair & snarky, but I’m more than happy to overlook the cluster of tourists & sometimes surly service for some of the best hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

Okay, I am not overstating the point when I say that I am a hot chocolate connoisseur. I have sipped (& sometimes outright guzzled!) it in many different locations all over the world. Some of my favourites include Angelina in Paris, The Chocolate Boutique in Auckland, Hotel Chocolat in London, & Koko Black & San Churro in Melbourne.

Truly, hot chocolate is an international language. You should know that I take this very seriously. Alex calls hot chocolate “liquid Christmas”, & I cannot disagree with her!

In NYC, I love Max Brenner for a quick, reliable, chocolatey pick-me-up, but I have definitely found a new favourite at City Bakery. You can order a little shot or a regular cup, & you can add an enormous homemade marshmallow on top if it pleases you. (It will please you… It’s like eating a pillow from heaven.)

Oh, & as for the shot versus cup conundrum? I say, go big or go home!

Of course, you could visit City Bakery any day of the year. They have insane cookies & brownies galore. But… February is hot chocolate month! YES! Every day they have a different flavour, & every day they will ladle it — yes, literally ladle it! — out of a huge vat & into your waiting mouth. (Okay, really they put it in a cup first. But you know what I mean.)

Some of the upcoming flavours include Darkest Dark Chocolate, Ginger, Love Potion, Moulin Rouge, Happy Hot Chocolate, Spicy Caramel & Ode To The Polar Bear! Who knows what half of these flavours are, but maybe that’s the best part!

It’s like a happy mouth surprise party!

Order your cup with a marshmallow, grab a spoon, & stir the whole mess together while you eat/drink gleefully.

I believe that celebrating hot chocolate month is the perfect way to drag your caboose through the end of winter!

Go on: embrace your inner Augustus Gloop! I’ll see you there!

Augustus Gloop will not be harmed,