The Chocolate Buffet at Hotel Bel-Air
Held every Thursday this summer, the Chocolate Buffet is set in Hotel Bel-Air's elegant restaurant, a recipient of Zagat Guide awards for best décor and service. But the spread itself lacks wow factor. Dreaming of a three-tier chocolate fountain? You won't find it here. This buffet is laid out on a small table with a plastic swan centerpiece. Noticeably absent are any soufflés or crêpes. There is no mousse or sorbet or gelato. Console yourself with dark and white chocolate cakes, a demitasse of creamy chocolate pudding, and a cup of silky rich hot chocolate. If necessary, help yourself to an entire Valrhona chocolate block.
The buffet includes non-chocolate items such as bread pudding, crème brûlée, and choux pastry swans. Sadly, these items quickly go soft and soggy in the warm, humid evening air.
The buffet's big draw is its selection of gourmet bonbons and chocolate-coated treats from Madam Chocolat's factory and boutique in Beverly Hills. Madam, aka Hasty Torres, uses fine Belgian chocolate and French technique to create unique flavors such as Monsieur, an infusion of Classic Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch in dark chocolate ganache. Citron blends creamy white chocolate and fresh lime juice. The Mendiant squares pair milk chocolate with roasted almond, pistachio, and dried apricot. Each bonbon is beautifully decorated and finished by hand.
Purchased online, a 10-piece box of Madam's assorted bonbons is $20. The Chocolate Buffet at Hotel Bel-Air is $28, but lasts three and a half hours and includes Madam's Dark Chocolate Mocca Beans, delicately flavored chocolates in the shape of coffee beans, and Coated Delights such as warm and spicy ginger dipped in dark chocolate and dusted with hazelnuts; malt balls; and chocolate-covered orange peels, macadamias, and almonds. It's a sweet bang for the buck.
If You Go
Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90077
Telephone: (310) 472-1211 (main), (310) 472-5234 (restaurant)
Web site: www.hotelbelair.com
Hotel Bel-Air is located approximately three miles from Beverly Hills. From Rodeo Drive, travel northwest toward Sunset Boulevard. Turn left on Sunset. Take Sunset to Stone Canyon Road. Turn right onto Stone Canyon. Travel north about one-half mile. Hotel Bel-Air is on the left-hand side of Stone Canyon Road.
The Chocolate Buffet is held Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Complimentary valet parking.
Published by Rachel Salhi
Rachel Salhi is a freelance writer and world traveler. View profile
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