Juliette et Chocolat serves it thick, creamy and real
by Siena Anstis
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Photos by Siena Anstis.
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To any hardcore chocolate lover, the Latin name for the plants from which chocolate is derived couldn't be any more appropriate. Indeed, the first civilisation to cultivate the cacao bean believed it was sent to them directly from the heavens.
But this godly treat wasn't fashioned into bars or dappled with peanuts and nougat; it was consumed from golden cups, in the world's first incarnation of hot chocolate.
The young founder of Juliette et Chocolat, Juliette wanted to bring this divine experience to Montreal. Her establishment offers creamy, succulent bowls of hot chocolate, tailor-made to each customer's favourite flavours.
Rather than the all too common powdered beverage found across the city, Juliette specialises in real, thick, melted fair trade chocolate drinks.
Ordering a hot chocolate here involves a marathon of questions on personal taste and desires. Try a thicker hot chocolate à l'ancienne or, for more moderate palates, à la moderne, a brew with cream, milk, and other secret ingredients.
Juliette's family in South America specialise in the art of chocolate, and provide the restaurant with fair-trade findings from around the world. Each type of chocolate is treated with particular ingredients in order to enhance certain flavours, including hints of coffee, fruit, hazelnuts, almonds and more.
Ordering a hot chocolate here involves a marathon of questions on personal taste and desires.
One of Juliette et Chocolat's managers, Eléanor Cazelais believes the key to their success is the original taste of each chocolate variety. As someone accustomed to tasting chocolate, she points that careful attention is needed to enrich the unique taste of each sip.
The chocolaterie's other specialty, the crêpes, are topped with an impressive amount of fresh fruits; from kiwis, to bananas, apples, grapes, melons and pineapples. For a taste of chocolat à la salée, try the house salad with chocolate dressing.
A stone's throw from the Berri-UQAM metro, the café attracts those with a love and curiosity for chocolate. Although equipped with catchy decorations and a warm atmosphere, the stainless steel coffee tables and packed surroundings make it less than relaxing during the peak evening hours, giving it a crowded outdoor terrace feel, rather than a cozy hangout.
As tempting as it is to abandon Montreal's snowy sidewalks for a large, steaming cup of hot chocolate, moderation is key when consuming Juliette's chocolaty beverages. The menu is designed for sampling in small doses; otherwise, one risks leaving with a sugar-soaked stomachache and a diminished love for this godly Inca liquid.
But when the day is freezing cold, the sun is hidden behind grey clouds and resistance to the icy winds is futile, Juliette et Chocolat does serve up a mean hot chocolate in a friendly atmosphere. The servers are dressed from head to toe in adorable red costumes, including a bright red top hat and polka dot stockings, and will help you to have a godly chocolate experience every time you visit.
A Divine Indulgence
Juliette et Chocolat
1615, rue St-Denis
(514) 287-3555
Open Mon.-Thurs. 11h-23h, Fri.-Sat. 11h-24h, closed Sun. |
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