A glass of red wine with dinner followed by a steaming cup of hot chocolate for dessert: the ultimate formula for good health. While the new Naked Chocolate Café at 34th and Walnut cannot provide the wine, it can serve the chocolate, and some pretty scrumptious chocolate at that.
The newest gastronomic addition to the Penn campus serves an array of mouthwatering chocolates, pastries and coffees and provides serenity amidst the hustle and bustle of campus. Whether you are one to cherish the burst of flavor in a single bite of decadent truffle or you prefer the sugar rush from a chocolate peanut butter cupcake, Naked Chocolate provides different strokes for different folks.
As cold fronts slowly settle over Philadelphia, the desire for a hot mug of liquid chocolate suddenly spikes, and Naked Chocolate thankfully offers five varieties designed to quell the winter-time craving. Next time you reach for a Swiss Miss packet of dehydrated marshmallows and powdered milk, reconsider. The European-style, ganache-like hot chocolate imparts a deep and bold flavor. All five combinations (Classic, Bittersweet, Aztec, Spicy and Hawaiian) have unique flavor profiles. The un-doctored simplicity of the Bittersweet makes it a house favorite. The Aztec, reminiscent of a 3,000 year old recipe, smells of cinnamon and presents cardamom undertones. The Spicy ignites a true pow in your throat; although unexpected when the first taste hits your mouth, the chili and cayenne shine through in this hot chocolate. The newest option, Hawaiian, uses the milk-dark base of the classic but includes black and red lava salt varieties as well as caramel. Salt dramatically enhances the flavor of chocolate — the reason chocolate covered pretzels are an addictive confection — and the Hawaiian’s intense chocolate flavor is highlighted by the contrast of the savory salt and sweet caramel. Drinking chocolates are sheer decadence in a cup.
Next time you complain about the long trek to DRL, make a stop in Naked Chocolate for an endorphin boost. Whether you prefer drinking your chocolate or eating it, you are sure to leave happier than you came. If hot chocolate is your indulgence of choice, live dangerously and pass on the skim for the European style alternative — the extra cream will do you some good. After all, you might need a little extra meat on your bones to weather the cold days ahead.
