Well, a rainy day calls for a hot beverage - whether that's a coffee, cocoa or hot chocolate.

Zagat named L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates as having one of the best hot chocolates in the country. So, I made it a point to stop at the L.A Burdick in Boston.

Started in New York, before relocating to New Hampshire and expanding from there, this French-style confectionery makes some of the most coveted chocolates in the Northeast. One of the signatures is the dark shaved chocolate (available for mail-order). It’s a mix of three to four dark chocolates from South America and the Caribbean, generally warmed with 2% milk. However, you can go as fat as you want — whole and skim are offered, as well.

So, I walked in and immediately saw the beautiful, expensive chocolate boxes lining the walls. Beautiful wooden floors, gold-striped walls, and perfectly crafted chocolates, bonbons macarons and other delicacies.

And, I went to the counter to order my "drinking chocolate." It's a Burdick Blend Dark Chocolate, so it's a bit more bitter than I am used to. But so velvetty smooth. I almost feel like it's in the middle of the spectrum between coffee and hot chocolate - without the espresso, of course.  But, the flavor was right on point.



Grade: A