Hot Chocolate: User Reviews
Hot Chocolate
1747 N. Damen Ave. - Chicago773-489-1747
Great restaurant with appropriate portion sizes
By calanc from bucktown, June 14, 2008
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I've got nothing but good things to say about this place. We try to go every week and suffer withdrawal when it’s been too long past that. The menu is kind of diner-ish - that is there is a wide range of sandwiches and entrees all prepared under the umbrella of American food. But each and every recipe is treated with the thoughtfulness of a tasting restaurant like Tru or Trotters. The ingredients are sourced from many of the farms at the Green City Market (the best farmer's market in the area). In some cases the quality of the ingredients are all it takes to lift a simple dish to the next level (try the Mac and Cheese). But when they choose to twist a classic the results are surprising and delicious but appropriate (try the "fish and chips"). The pureed soups are subtle and silky. Mindy Segal, the owner, is a world class pastry chef and her menued desserts can be breathtaking, but ordering them is best done with a leap of faith. They are named for the central ingredient (banana, rhubarb, etc.) but after that they change frequently. The bartenders are extremely competent making one of the finest Manhattans in town and the wine list is thoughtful. The crowd can be very beautiful but the place is also kid and grandparent friendly early on. The service is really casual (as is the room) but attentive. The host desk is nice to us now that we are regulars, but can be a little standoffish to unknown customers. I think this may be the genesis of some of the less than glowing reviews received. The caveats are as follows. 1) Portions are not huge leaving room for an appetizer and a dessert (or skip the appetizer and order a side of the mac and cheese to share). 2) It’s not cheap. With wine or cocktails, our tab for two is generally over 100 bucks. But based on the quality and delicious-ness this seems reasonable to me. Oh yeah, the hot chocolate is good too. Try the white one.
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never disappoints
By auntie from lincoln park, May 27, 2008
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Mindy always comes through. The food is delicious and of course the desserts are the best! They are so clever and creative and seasonal. Can't say enough. fabulous.
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Great Hot Chocolate
By I love food from Lakeview, April 25, 2008
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I have never had better hot chocolate than from this place. I usually get the mexican style hot chocolate, which has a nice kick to it. The first time I tried it I had to sit down b/c it made my body tingle. This treat really exemplifies the saying that "chocolate is better than sex".
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Amazing Brunch, great desserts
By K from Wicker Park, March 30, 2008
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I think brunch is a great value and it's amazing. Some of the best in the neighborhood - and that's saying a lot since it's in close proximity to Bongo room, Toast, Feast, and Francesca Forno... I love everything I've had off the bruch menu.
Unfortunately they don't serve the dessert menu at brunch. They have amazing desserts that are defitely a little pricey - but it's worth it to taste Mindy's creations! And of course, the hot chocolate is amazing. The dark can be a little rich for me, and I only like dark chocolate usually. I find the medium the best, and they'll usually give you an extra of their delicious handmade marshmallows on the side if you ask nicely.
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Over Priced
By Foodie from Chicago, March 9, 2008
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Average Food...Hamburger tasted bitter...way over priced.
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deeeeeelish
By johnof60613 from Lakeview, March 2, 2008
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had a fab experience, mussles are amazing, they give you SO many! (maybe too many for 2 people)
really enjoyed!
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Amazing Date Venue
By jreid4 from Wicker Park, February 26, 2008
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My boyfriend and I came here after a wonderful dinner and the dessert was delicous! The choices were great and the selection was varied. I choose the Banana dessert, which came with a variety of banana-inspired dessert choices; it was delicious! They even brought me a giant glass of milk on the house when I needed it with my dessert. Even though we came after dinner, I would definitely like to try their food. All the other couples around us ordered dinner and it looked fantastic and, if the dessert is any indication of the quality of the food, it wil be!
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Fantastic experience
By Dawn from Roscoe Village, February 18, 2008
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Hot Chocolate offered great food and fantastic service. Our waiter, Sunny, was very knowledgable about the menu and made terrific suggestions. The timing of the meal was perfect. I would definitely recommend Hot Chocolate.
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Great Waiter & Food will be back
By Mazza from Jefferson Park, February 13, 2008
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We had a baby with us and were made to feel very welcome. Great server! ( his name was Saul or something like that) he made it a lovely experience - great server . Food was good - probably should have gone with his suggestions more though. The hot chocolate drink was wonderful. The mac n chees - very very good. the dessert was a little disappointing (black forest) but in fairness our waiter recommended other ones. Doughnuts were excellent. waiter and bus boy and hostess were great.
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Not so hot
By mikehunt from logan square, February 8, 2008
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Food was good but not great. The main thing that troubled me was the tables are very small and too close together it feels like you are eating a cafeteria not a nice restaurant. Me and my date spent 125 for the both of us including drinks and desert for that kind of money I would expect a decent size table.
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Review Summary
The following scores represent the average rating submitted by 41 users:
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