The Best Hot Chocolate in Portland

The best cup of hot chocolate in Portland is from…

Pambiche! (Pam-beach-ay)

It should be noted that this was a totally subjective and unrandomized trial conducted by The Chaos Team and shenanigan partners including-but-not-limited-to Ian, Anya, Miles, Erika, Skylar, Rachell, and Marissa. Read more fine print below.

0

About our winner, Pambiche:

The hot chocolate in Northeast Portland’s Cuban joint Pambiche comes in a large, low mug surely manufactured at The North Pole. The milky hot chocolate is sweet (the way we like it!) and cinnamony. The whipped cream is thick, flecked with chocolate, and topped with a sprig of mint that is delightful to eat somewhere in the middle of your sipping.

Second Place, Suzette:

At Suzette creperie they top the hot chocolate with house-made marshmallows that are then bruleed. That’s right! They take a mini-blow-torch to each cup of cocoa. Two minor things knocked it off the top pedestal: the hot chocolate was perhaps too sweet, and the mug was clunky: but if I were Steven Tyler on American Idol I would still make love to it.

The Trophy Wives, Pearl Bakery & Stumptown Coffee Roasters:

Pearl Bakery and Stumptown Coffee Roasters had the most gorgeous offerings. But the hot chocolates at these two were all beauty and no brains: They lacked sweetness and depth. For a killer croissant, an amazing cup of coffee, or some super-model-style whipped cream, try these two.

Definitely Worth It, Sisters Coffee Company:

Sisters Coffee Company has a perfectly sweet cup of cocoa that really hits the spot. The whipped cream is lovely as well. There aren’t any bells and whistles to take this one to the North Pole, but it’s worth a to-go cup when you are down in The Pearl.

***

Please write in your own votes below. We want to do more “research” on this topic!

***

MORE FINE PRINT: Our passion for hot chocolate is high, and no water-based hot chocolates were allowed. We were comparing cups of hot chocolate to what we imagine one might have on any given Sunday afternoon at Mr. and Mrs. Claus’s house. We wanted the hot chocolate to be rich and sweet, fairly thick, feel delightful being cradled in your hands, and be breathtakingly beautiful.

EVEN MORE FINE PRINT: Title treatment by August Empress, font from Dafont.com.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Emily, thanks to you I know that hot chocolate is hot milk with real chocolate pieces whisked in, and that hot cocoa is cocoa powder mixed with milk, but I’ve taken gross liberties in jargon here. Forgive me.

Photo Adventure: Oregon Winter Family Activities

On Saturday Baby Woww and I went snowshoeing for the first time with some good friends.

Snowshoeing is the perfect snow sport for people who don’t like heights, inclines, high speeds, special car racks, feeling out of control, or going to the Olympics.*

The next day, The Chaos Team (that’s us: Baby Woww, K-Pants, and me) headed out–amidst slush flurries–to the Pearl District to try out hot chocolate at Pearl Bakery and Sisters Coffee Company.** Pearl Bakery’s motto is “Eat Bread.” Power to the carbolicious lifestyle!

These shots are from an old model iPhone using the following Apps: Photoshop for iPhone, Instagram (username: Momsicle), and Hipstamatic. Please share your favorite photo apps–I’d love to try some new ones!

***

*REI teaches a one-hour snowshoeing basics class. Perhaps during the first half you learn how to put on socks and shoes, and in the second half you do an energy bar tasting?

**I’m collecting hot chocolate experiences, so if you have can’t-miss Portland suggestions, let me know. I want to go to there.

Where to get Milkshakes in Portland

My midwife told me this week to cut back on milkshakes. I think I gave her the impression that I have one every day, which is not true. I have about two per month. I eat ice cream every day.

A day without ice cream is very, very sad.

I really haven’t gained a grossly exaggerated amount of weight, nor do I have gestational diabetes or other sugar issues. It’s just that I was mentioning how K-Pants was a trim 6 lbs. 6 oz. when he was born (the day after his due date), and the following conversation ensued:

• Midwife: You’ve probably got a 7-pounder in there now, so if you want him under 8 pounds, you should stop the milkshakes.
• Me: Really?
• Midwife: Try a fruit smoothie. Do you know what fruit is? Fruit is in season in Oregon during the summer. There are different types of fruit, and you can blend them up and pretend it’s a milkshake.

Finally I know what it’s like to be one of the contestants on the Biggest Loser.

Unfortunately this was not my regular midwife, so I won’t be seeing her again (unless she’s on call when I deliver; I’ll know it’s her when I hear, “Let’s get that 8-pound hunk o’ milk fat outta there!”).

In the meantime, I’ve put together descriptions of two of my favorite spots to get your cream on. Please add your own recommendations!

The Canyon Grille, Southwest Portland, Canyon Road

I’ve passed this place for years, but my husband and I just tried it for the first time recently. It was all-out decadence: we did the bacon cheeseburger with blue cheese pecan spread, a swiss and mushroom burger, fries with Grand Canyon sauce, and a raspberry milkshake. It was the one day that week I didn’t take a nap because I was worried I might never get up again after eating this meal. The spot is tiny and it was once Portland’s first Dairy Queen—apparently they’ve had the same phone number since the 1950s. They put real fruit in their milkshakes, so I think I can call that a smoothie, right?

Cool Moon Ice Creamery, Pearl District

If you live in the area, I’m sure you’ve been here. They make their own ice cream and have been written up quite a bit. My friend Anne was in town and we went wild and got the large size so that we could each try four different flavors. A milkshake would have muddled things up, but next time…

Our big taste winners were the lavender lemon and fiery chocolate. However, you at least have to try the spicy Thai peanut if you go soon. Oh, and between 4­–6 p.m. they have ice cream happy hour with pints for $4.00. What’s not to love about that?

***

Title treatment: Graphic watercolor background from August Empress. Graphic fonts for personal use from Dafont.com. Beautiful sites: Check them out!

Our Favorite Portland Sweets

As everyone knows, a toddler and a pregnant lady are constantly in search of a treat or two. Or three. Since we eat like Hobbits, it’s hard to keep our tastes sated. In honor of K-Pants’s 2nd birthday, this post is dedicated to places that make the everyday special with sweet decadence.

Crave Bake Shop, Downtown Lake Oswego

Crave is gluten-free. Apparently no gluten ever enters their doors. I don’t have a gluten intolerance, but I’m happy to claim one if it lets me eat here more often.

The pint-sized shop puts out two kinds of cupcakes each day, as well as cake bites, and crazy cinnamon rolls that you’ve got to try! They aren’t open on Mondays yet, so be aware. Even if you are pregnant and slobbering, they won’t open the door. I tried.

Two Tarts Bake Shop, Northwest Portland

Northwest 23rd Street is full of hedonistic delights (K-Pants and I would like to organize a gelato-crawl for those who are interested). But our current favorite spot is Two Tarts Bakery that our friend Wendy introduced us to. They have a beautiful gallery case full of cookies that instantly starts your mouth watering.

At eighty cents per cookie, they’re the bite-sized way to buy a little happiness. K-Pants loves the shortbread, and I love their take on the Oreo sandwich cookie. Two Tarts has an awesome blog (link above) that leads me to believe there are also ice cream sandwiches in our future!

Saint Honoré Boulangerie, Two locations: Downtown Lake Oswego & Northwest Portland

Everything is good here, but have you had their Normandy Apple Toast? It’s like a fruity french-toast custard. Oh, heaven on earth! And it weighs about five pounds a slice, so you know there’s a lot of egg and cream in there. We approve. At over $3 it’s the most expensive treat on our list, but when you’re in the mood for some true decadence that’s worth it’s weight in gold, this is the way to go.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.sainthonorebakery.com/)

***

Looking for more family-friendly food adventures? Check out…

• Mommy C’s guest post on the best Portland family brew pubs.
• Great diners and burgers in West Portland and the ‘burbs.

***

Title treatment: Graphic watercolor background from August Empress. Graphic fonts for personal use from Dafont.com. Beautiful sites: Check them out!