One thing I've learned about Massachusetts so far is that it's COLD! I swear, there are times that I feel my nostrils freeze. On frigid days when the wind gusts up and the snow won't stop, there is only one beverage on my mind: hot chocolate. Now, hot chocolate is rather simple to make at home, but don't go for that instant Swiss Miss junk. Instead, buy yourself a tin of Dutch processed cocoa powder and blend it over medium-low heat with rich whole milk and sugar to taste. Or, if you're as lazy as I am, you can simply visit some of the great coffeehouses of the Pioneer Valley and get a satisfying cup of heaven. Here are the places I've tried in the past couple weeks:
Bart's: For a reasonable $1.85, one gets a cup of hot chocolate redolent of Bosco and Reddi-Wip. If you like that kind of thing, go for it, but I think I'll pass in the future. My advice: stick to the ice cream. (103 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 253-9371.)
The Black Sheep: The hot chocolate at the Black Sheep is everything a good hot chocolate should be: rich, creamy and just chocolatey enough to satisfy without going overboard. I especially enjoy coming here on Sunday afternoons; the live music always perks up my day. The hot chocolate here goes especially well with one of their delicious pastries. (79 Main St., Amherst. (413) 253-3442.)
L.A. Burdick: This tiny chocolate shop in Northampton churns out my favorite hot chocolate in the Pioneer Valley! Featuring high quality chocolate frothily blended with milk, this rich, decadent treat is highly refined and only slightly sweet. Although the price is steep ($4 a cup!), this cocoa is worth its price in gold, especially when you drink it from one of their adorable mugs. I came to this chocolate cafe on one of the coldest days of the year, and its warm, elegant atmosphere did not fail to impress. With this shop around, you can count on me visiting my friends at Smith often. (40 Green St., Northampton. (413) 582-0477.)
Rao's: I love the coffee at Rao's, and while their hot chocolate is no match for their java, it's tasty. Rao's hot chocolate is more delicate than most, with greater focus on the steamed milk than on the chocolate. Yet it tastes smooth and creamy and is even topped off with real whipped cream! (17 Kellogg Ave., Amherst. (413) 253-9441.)
Starbucks: Starbucks is a major coffee chain, and while I prefer to patronize local establishments, it's hard to ignore their presence. Their regular hot chocolate is nothing to write home about, but their new chocolate drink, the Chantico, is something else altogether. Sold in little six-ounce cups, this bewitching beverage is something akin to melted dark chocolate-rich, velvety, smooth and oh-so-sinful. While it's not the best chocolate in the world, it does evoke memories of sitting at Jacques Torres in Brooklyn on cold New York afternoons. Not sure if this decadent treat is for you? Try a free sample, available every Thursday from 4-5. (71 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. (413) 256-1669.)
Valentine: Finally, a word regarding the hot chocolate at Val. While this is hot chocolate of the Swiss Miss variety, it stands up pretty well, since it's absolutely free. Simply put, it doesn't get sweeter than that.