This little piece of France is a lovely, chocolatey escape from the rain (especially because it is across from one of my favourite little cafes: Liberty Bakery).
So the place of happy chocolate France land is Chocolaterie de la Nouvelle France and it is owned by this adorable little Quebecois gal, Anna-Genevieve.
One of my favourite movies is Chocolat. Firstly, it's about chocolate and it takes place in my Dordogne. Secondly, Johnny Depp. Thirdly, there is a kangaroo. And lastly, that hot chocolate she serves. Well, drinking chocolate is a more apt description.
I have ALWAYS wanted that drinking chocolate. Sadly, my hot chocolate from a package with added hot water and freeze-dried marshmallows is not that drinking chocolate.
But Anna-Genevieve's drinking chocolate is EXACTLY what I imagined Vianne to serve hot Johnny in the movie. It's thick, semi-sweet and so richly delicious I danced down Main Street, happily kicking up the crisp leaves as I savored happiness in a cup.
Ironically, I stopped by this place after a massive personal training workout that left me drenched and sore. The drink was 300 calories and I figure I burned 500, so I still come out on top right?
The girls at Nouvelle France specialize in truffles: spicy, earl grey, orange flower, and dark - just to name a few. After you make your choice, one of the French ladies packs them up sweetly in a little white box sealed with wax and a red ribbon.
I love little touches that really make this chocolaterie feel as if you are in the South of France in a tiny village. Or as I like to think: my second home.
And that drinking chocolate? I have been dreaming of it since my move to Toronto. Drinking pure, warm spicy chocolate. Does it get any better than that?
