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Hot Chocolate Frommer's Highly Recommended

1747 N. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL

Frommer's ReviewMap It
Cuisine American
Hours Tues-Fri 11am-3pm; Tues-Wed 5:30-10pm; Thurs 5:30-11pm; Fri 5:30pm-midnight; Sat 10am-2pm and 5:30-midnight; Sun 10am-2pm and 5:30-10pm
Location At Willow St, Wicker Park/Bucktown
Transportation Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen
Reservations Reservations not accepted
Phone 773/489-1747
Web site www.hotchocolatechicago.com
Prices Main courses $10-$13 lunch, $12-$23 dinner
Credit Cards AE, MC, V

Hot Chocolate Review

Mindy Segal's desserts got raves when she worked at the restaurant mk, so when she opened her own place in early 2005 -- with a dessert theme, no less -- there were lines almost immediately. Although Segal knows her way around high-end kitchens, she's designed Hot Chocolate to be more of a casual neighborhood spot, although the chocolatey brown color scheme makes it look more sophisticated than your standard corner bakery. It's the kind of place you can stop in for a brioche and coffee in the morning, a Kobe beef steak sandwich at lunch, or a plate of glazed pork tenderloin in the evening; there's also a wide selection of specialty ales and lagers -- as well as a full wine list -- aimed at late-night diners. However, desserts are the main event here; many use seasonal fruit (apple-cider potpie, or the banana napoleon, with layers of caramelized bananas, banana coffee cake, graham crackers, and a topping of banana ice cream), but chocoholics can get their fill, too, with dishes such as the rich chocolate soufflé with caramel ice cream. Or you can finish up with a flight of mini hot chocolates served with homemade marshmallows. My only complaint is that Hot Chocolate has been a little too successful; come on a weekday (for a late lunch or early dinner) to avoid a wait.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

About Our System

Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

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