There appear to be people who actually go to Café Angelina to have lunch, to eat club sandwiches with a knife and fork and be on their way. But most everyone else is there for one reason and one reason only: The chocolat chaud, questionably called “l’Africain”.
They are famous for it and it’s easy to see why. It’s served in a cup, it’s pourable, and you can drink it, but to call this rich, chocolaty concoction a beverage in the same category as coffee or tea is stretching it. This is a dessert really. Or, you know, an afternoon snack.
I ordered it and another one of their specialties, a Mont Blanc mound of meringue, whipped cream, and a pile of chestnut vermicelli that will trigger long buried memories in anyone who ever had a Play-Doh barbershop (and possibly anyone who ever ate Play-Doh). I regretted it, not because it wasn’t particularly special, but because after eating half of it I had difficulty finishing the hot chocolate. And I really, really wanted to finish the hot chocolate
So I persevered, and then another childhood memory surfaced: I remembered what it’s like to have a tummy ache after eating too many sweets.
Café Angelina 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, 01 42 60 82 00 website
I tried to go a few weeks ago, just after the weather turned cold, but they closed early just that one day! Luckily they sell that incredible chocolate chaud to go, so I was able to feed my jones, but without whipped cream, malheureusement (or not).
Love the cute ending – ah yes, the days of tummy aches. They’re so not over. At least the days of eating Play-Doh are. When I first lived in Paris in 1999, I sat there just as you did – with the Africain and the Mont Blanc. And if memory serves me right, I think I finished both too. My first Parisian tummy ache. Ah the sweet memories…
See I wasn’t a fan of the hot chocolate – there was no milk, just pure, melted fudge. Which is good in some instances, but not when you’re expecting something milky. HOWEVER, the wait outside (which actually moves quickly) is worth it hands down for the mont blanc! TO DIE FOR!
Shelli: I noticed that they sell it to go — seems like a perfect treat to enjoy while sitting in the Tuileries.
Kerrin: May your days of tummy aches never be over!
Lindsey: I actually prefer it a little milkier, too. This was like eating/drinking pourable ganache; not necessarily a bad thing but… whoa.
I stop by Angelina every single time I’m in Paris. The chocolat chaud makes me forget my name at first sip. It’s so thick, it doesn’t need the cream really, and one’s spoon could almost stand upright in the cup. Love the Belle Epoque interiors as well! It’s definitely worth the queue to get a table. Coming in a party of two always helps to get ahead!
Just returned from two weeks in Paris (visiting my daughter who is studying there all semester). Having compared several chocolat chaud cafes, we came to the conclusion that Cafe de la Flore in St Germain is the best hot chocolate. There is also a lovely little alley nearby with a small restaurant serving amazing chocolat chaud (and a nice waiter!! rare in Paris! they open at noon). Too bad we had such a rude and unattentive waitress at Angelina’s. She was the worst we experienced in Paris. We agree about the Mont Blanc! wow. And yes, too, too much with the chocolat chaud (and Angelina’s will absolutely NOT allow you to take left-overs out. We put ours in a McDonald’s cup…ha! That was after her rudeness…)