Higher Groundz: Hot Chocolate

Quite a while ago, my friend and I felt like a change of scenery. We packed up our bags and decided to check out Higher Groundz in San Luis Obispo, a cozy cafe with warm terra cotta red walls.

Unfortunately, it was raining that afternoon and most of the tables and sofas had already been taken. My friend and I got stuck with a table near the door, so every time someone ducked in to escape the rain, the gusting wind near blew over our cups! Both of us had a list of things we needed to work on, but the dramatic changes in temperature distracted us. I can't speak for my friend, but I know I didn't get much work done. 

But as this is a hot cocoa blog, let's talk about what I ordered! I got a small Hot Chocolate with whipped cream for $2.75. They put it in a to-go cup, so I won't be docking them for presentation as those cups are never cute, no matter where you go. As for the hot chocolate, it tasted lighter and thinner than most of cocoas I've sampled for SCIENCE, but it didn't taste watery. It simply tasted as though they didn't add enough mix in. It also lacked a strong chocolate taste (probably because they didn't add enough mix in). As such, it had about the same quality as a store-bought cocoa mix. Decent, but nothing special. 

Presentation: ★★★★★
Yummy taste: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★★★☆

Coffee Cat: Hot Chocolate (& Santa Barbara International Film Fest)

Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2013

Oops, I forgot to publish this post last night! And here I was beginning to believe I could keep to a schedule. 

Last weekend, a friend invited me to go down to Santa Barbara Inter- national Film Festival. She thought it might be fun to hang out by the red carpet and watch everyone arrive for the last event, "Outstanding Performer of the Year Award." Jennifer Lawrence of The Hunger Games fame received the award. I felt like getting out, so I took my friend up on her invite.

Santa Barbara is only about an hour or so away from us, so it's easy to do a day-trip. We arrived in the early afternoon and spent the day window-shopping on State Street. In Anthropologie, we found a stack of Mr. Boddington's Penguin Classics and we both had a hard time walking out with buying one of the novels. (Because it would be silly to buy clothes at a clothing store.) I also talked my friend into going out for coffee, so I could write a new review.

Hot chocolate at Coffee Cat, Santa Barbara

We stopped at a funky cafe called Coffee Cat. Inside we were greeted with bright red and lime green walls. There was art deco-styled paintings hanging from the wall. At almost every table, we saw students bent over textbooks or typing frantically on sticker-covered laptops. The air taste of procrastination and school-induced stress. Naturally, I felt right at home.

At the coffee bar, I ordered a small Hot Chocolate with whipped cream for $2.60 and my friend order a Chocolate Raspberry Mocha. The chatty barista served both our drinks in slender glass mugs, so we both felt somewhat fancy while we caffeinated. Despite all odds, we managed snag a comfy booth near one of the windows.

After we settled into our little corner, we tried our drinks. I must say, Coffee Cat's Hot Chocolate is top-notch. My drink had a very robust chocolate taste that left my taste buds begging for more. It had a bit of a texture, which was unexpected, though while usually I prefer my cocoas on the creamier side, the texture didn't detract from the overall taste. At $2.60, the price was very reasonable and I have no complaints about the presentation. I'd definitely order it again.

Yum! Perfectly delish!

Also my friend wanted me to mention that her Chocolate Raspberry Mocha was also quite good and she would get it again. So coffee-drinkers who lurk this blog, there's a recommendation for you!

Around 6:30pm, we headed over to the Arlington Theatre where the red carpet had already been laid out. I'm not the hugest fan of Jennifer Lawrence, so seeing her in-person wasn't any life-alterating moment for me, but I enjoyed chatting with the people around us while we waited for the big names to start arriving. One person in front of us knew a lot about the event and shared some fun facts about the film fest with us. A lot of people brought copies of The Hunger Games for Jennifer Lawrence to sign and I was surprised to see how many elementary-aged kids were there with their parents.

Jennifer Lawrence signing copies of The Hunger Games.

While many folks assured me the crowd was large for the Santa Barbara International Film Fest, it felt small to me because the only other red carpet event I had experienced was the premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End at Disneyland. (I was kinda madly in love with both Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley in high school, so sue me.) When Lawrence arrived, my friend and I could actually see her because there were only two people standing in front of us. It was a much more intimate experience than expected.

Presentation: ★★★★★
Yummy taste: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★★★

At Home: Starbucks Hot Cocoa with Salted Caramel

Hot cocoa, the internet & Raphael Sbarge's darling face. 

HOW DOES THIS BLOGGER like to spend her Saturday nights? Re- watching  episodes from her current favorite TV shows and writing reviews for her oddly- specific food blog, of course!

But hey, I suppose that's slightly more productive than just re-watching TV shows. Right?

Both Elementary and Once Upon A Time don't have new episodes out until February, so naturally I spent Saturday night re-watching previous episodes while trying not to cry into my cup of Starbucks Hot Cocoa with Salted Caramel. I'm only slightly exaggerating, because, DAMMIT, I NEED TO SEE THE NEXT EPISODE OF ELEMENTARY NOW. 

... I mean, let's talk about Starbucks Hot Cocoa with Salted Caramel mix, shall we? I purchased this mix from Von's before this blog became more than a joke between friends, so I forgot to write down the price. But if I were to hazard a guess, I bought this mix for approximately $5. It came with six individual packets in a little cardboard box, and while the box was plain, at least it was easy enough to open. I wouldn't normally buy a Starbucks mix,* but this one piqued my curiosity. I'll admit, they had me at "salted caramel."

According to the back of the box, this mix makes a "dark, velvety cocoa with a pinch of sea salt and a dash of natural caramel flavor." Sea salt and caramel both taste fantastic with chocolate, but flavored mixes are always a bit of a gamble. More often than not the added flavoring is too strong or too weak or fails to taste how it's supposed to taste altogether. Also the box boasts that their mix is "made with ethically sourced cocoa" (though the box didn't carry a Fair Trade label). A cup of ethically-sourced salted caramel cocoa sounded good... in theory.

So what did I think? As promised, it had a dark chocolate taste and the salted caramel flavoring enriched the mix without overwhelming the drink. It genuinely tasted like Starbucks only used a "pinch" and a "dash" of the added flavors. The dark chocolate flavor straddled the border between "perfect" and "too rich," leaning towards "too rich" unfortunately. Also I don't know how to describe it, but something tasted a bit off. Not horribly off, but something about the overall taste keeps me from giving it a higher rating. I just wish I could put my finger on what.

That being said, I did like it and I was genuinely surprised that it tasted as good as it did. I might not buy it again, but I don't regret trying it. In fact, I might even make a cup while watching Elementary this Thursday night.

Hot milk mixed with sea salted carmel cocoa

Presentation: ★★★☆☆
Yummy taste: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★★★☆ish

*Some people love Starbucks and some people absolutely hate it, but I'm mostly indifferent to Starbucks. I order their drinks and take advantage of their free wifi on occassion, but I tend to gravitate towards cafes with more personality. 

SLODoCo: Hot Chocolate With A Side of Even More Chocolate

Hot chocolate and a chocolate-filled donut
at SloDoCo, San Luis Obispo.

THIS MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE, but I have a high tolerance for all things chocolate. By which I mean I could probably eat chocolate for every meal without ever getting a stomachache. What can I say? It's one of my superpowers along with not crying when I cut onions.

Last week, I found myself at SLO Donut Company (nicknamed SLODoCo) ordering a small cup of Hot Chocolate alongside one of their  chocolate donuts. SLODoCo is tucked away in a shopping center not too far from Downtown. With its metallic furnishings and its extended hours, SLODoCo is popular study spot for the local students and it reminds me of the 24-hour Study Room at Davis. Except it has freshly-baked donuts.

When it comes to their baked goods, they always have a lot to choose from - including a bacon-covered maple bar that I've never tried but that I hear is fantastic. One day when I'm feeling more adventurous, I'll try one - but until that day, I'll keep ordering whatever has chocolate on it. Or in it. I'm a creature of habit.

The donut I ordered was positively sinful. It had chocolate filling on the inside and chocolate frosting with white chocolate chips on the outside. They should call it "Every Chocolate Lovers' Wet Dream," but they're not very clever when it comes to naming their donuts. I believe this one was labeled something along the lines of "Chocolate Bar."

The cocoa is just a straightforward hot chocolate mix - no added flavors or other bells and whistles. The chatty baristas gave me the choice between lowfat or whole milk in it and I chose whole. They added some whipped cream on top, which I always appreciate. SLODoCo's Hot Chocolate (small) cost $2.66. That's on par with most of the other cafes I haunt.

The hot chocolate was good, but I've definitely had better. The chocolatey taste was too subtle; not something I want in my cocoas. But despite the lack of flavor, it wasn't watery (unlike some other cocoas I've had lately). It just could have been stronger. But admittedly, they are a donut shop first and foremost, not a cafe - though they have a good selection of drinks to order. The donut was so mouth-wateringly delish that I can't bring myself to be too hard on them. Sure, their hot chocolate leaves something to be desired, but their donuts are to-die-for.

I'll probably order a cup of hot tea or a Thai tea next time, but I don't regret trying their hot chocolate. I've certainly had worst.

Presentation: ★★★★★
Yummy taste: ★★★☆☆
Price: ★★★★☆

At Home: Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Cup of cocoa and The Complete Sherlock Holmes. 

DEAR READERS (IF I HAVE ANY), I've made the mistake of telling my mother about my cocoa blog. She keeps bringing me various hot chocolate mixes to sample. During our last excursion to Trader Joe's, she convinced me to try this particular mix, Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate for $4.99.

According to the blurb on the tin, this particular cocoa is a combination of "luxuriant bittersweet chocolate with a hint of peppermint... [and] chocolate shavings." Along with directions for a regular cup of cocoa, there's also directions for a Blended Peppermint Chocolate Drink on the back. For the first time, I stuck to making hot cocoa, but maybe I'll get around to trying their blended drink.

But before I review the taste, a word about the packaging: When I first brought this mix home, I thought the tin was adorable - stylish, even - but that was before I tried opening it. Good grief, it must have taken me at least 15 minutes to get the damn thing open! The lid wouldn't twist off, but had to be pried with a butter knife. I almost didn't dare put the lid back on after I was done for fear I would never get it off again. Trader Joe's wants their customers to work for their hot chocolate.

Obligatory artistic shot of the tin.

Following the simple directions, I mixed the hot chocolate with a 3/4 cup of hot milk.* Unlike other peppermint hot chocolates, Trader Joe's actually has a strong peppermint taste. It wasn't obnoxiously pepperminty, though. There was a good balance between the peppermint and the chocolate, which I found quite pleasing.

Some of the chocolate shavings didn't melt, which gave the cocoa some texture. Personally I think the chocolate shavings gave the mix a nice touch, but overall it could have had a richer flavor. Even though I used hot milk instead of water, it didn't taste rich as I expected.

Overall, I'd recommend this one . Yes, the tin is a pain in the ass to open and the mix could be richer, but it is much better than a lot of other hot chocolate mixes. The price is decent for what you get and packaging (while frustrating) can be reused after the mix is finished. But most importantly, the pepperminty flavor is neither overstated nor understated. This already makes it better than 85%** of peppermint hot chocolate mixes out there.

I enjoyed my cup of Trader Joe's Peppermint Hot Chocolate and I'd be willing to buy this mix again. Now excuse me, I'm off to read more Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Until next time, dear readers!

Presentation: ★★★★☆
Yummy taste: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★★☆

* I use hot milk instead of hot water, because I prefer my hot cocoa creamier.
** Did you know that 73.6% of statistics are made up?

Kreuzberg ★ CA: White Hot Chocolate

A quiet afternoon writing procrastinating at Kreuzberg. 
Kudos to the barista who spelled my name right.

If there's one thing I like, it's a cafe with lots of tables and available outlets.

Since moving into its larger location on Higuera Street, Kreuzberg ★ CA in San Luis Obispo has plenty of nooks and crannies for a would-be writer and her laptop. Sometimes it feels like Kreuzberg is trying a bit too hard – what with their used books stacked sky-high, their sandwiches named after classic authors and their gigantic murals devouring each wall – but even so, their food's good and there's always a place to sit.

Kreuzberg was my favorite haunt in November during National Novel Writing Month. Every week, I would find a corner to call my own where I could sit and work on my unfinished novel with minimum distraction. While I spent more time willing the story to write itself than actual writing, every now and then I produced a scene or two. Nowadays I drop in at least once a month to work on some smaller projects – or at least, pretend to work. Some days are more productive than others.

Like I already said, Kreuzberg has good food. Their sandwiches can be pricey, but they're definitely worth a taste. Lately I've been ordering this dish off their breakfast menu called the Tennessee Williams. It involves a fried egg over sourdough toast covered with feta cheese and sun-dried tomato spread. I like to order my eggs over-easy, so the yoke runs over the bread when I slice into it, drowning the whole thing in eggy goodness. It's rather delicious.

But let's talk about Kreuzberg's hot chocolate. They offer four different types: Dark, white, tuxedo or Mexican. I will probably review each one at some point (spoiler alert: they're all really good), but yesterday I decided to order their White Hot Chocolate (16 oz) for $2.75. They served it in a cutsy black teacup with a matching saucer and topped it off with whipped cream – something I always appreciate. The contrast between the white cocoa and the black cup made for a good picture. After all, what's a food blog without some attractive photos? 

 Now some chocolate connoisseurs will tell anyone within shouting distance that white chocolate is not “real” chocolate, but I happen to like white chocolate. There, I said it: I like white chocolate. And as far as white chocolate goes, Kreuzberg's is top-notch. Their white hot chocolate is substantial enough to fill you up (but not so thick you feel like you're drinking a milkshake) with a strong chocolate flavor. None of this "subtle hint of chocolate" nonsense, no siree.

While I understand that white chocolate is not for everyone, if you happen to like it or at least tolerate it, you need to get yourself to Kreuzberg and try their white hot chocolate. It's is pleasant change if you're looking for something new. Good, but different, and I cannot recommend it enough. 

 My only complaint was that I wished I would have ordered a size larger, because I definitely wanted more after I finished my cup. Good job, Kreuzberg. A+. 

Presentation: ★★★★★
Yummy taste: ★★★★★
Price: ★★★★★

Linn's Restaurant: Hot Chocolate

Inside Linn's cafe (Cambria, CA)

TWO WEEKS AGO, I was lucky enough to attend Cambria's Christmas Market with my sister's family and a friend. The tiny market (in the tradition of German Christmas markets) was hosted by the Cambria Pines Lodge. Out of cutesy house-shaped booths, locals sold knick-knacks and yummy food. 

But what drew us to the market were truly fantastic light displays that Cambria Pines Lodge had staged throughout their gardens. Of course, on the night we chose to go, it ended up raining. But even dripping wet, we enjoyed their light displays. Certain sections of their gardens had themes -- there was a Grinch display, a North Pole display near "Santa's House" and even a massive nativity set up. But the Nutcracker display at the beginning of the gardens stole the show with its lovely music and life-sized wooden cutouts that played out scenes from the ballet. 

After we walked through Christmas Market twice, we drove over to Linn's Restaurant. My family doesn't visit Cambria often, but when we do, we always make a point of going to Linn's. I can't recall if I've ever had a proper meal there, since we only ever go for dessert -- in particular, pie. That night we ordered our dessert from the cozy cafe-slash-gift shop in the back of the restaurant. 

Along with a slice of apple pie a la mode, I ordered a hot chocolate for $3. They served it in a slender glass mug and the friendly barista topped it off with whipped cream. Quite a lovely presentation, if I do say so myself. When it came to taste, Linn's hot chocolate did not disappoint. It was savory with a strong chocolate taste, though it was a bit thinner than I would have liked. For the price, it was a good choice. I'd definitely recommend it. 

Presentation: ★★★★★
Yummy taste: ★★★★☆
Price: ★★★★★