Chocolate, Chocolate Everywhere-Even a Drop to Drink

The siren smell of chocolate wafted down the hallways of the Langham Huntington Hotel. I followed my nose to the Lobby Lounge and beheld a glorious sight. Chocolate. Chocolate in liquid form, chocolate in pastries, chocolate sculptures. Chocolate as far as the eye could see.

Delicate tea settings graced the tables, each a small vignette in the large formally decorated room. Pink blossoms graced the trees outside the picture windows and the sun played hide and seek with the clouds. Perfectly enchanting.

A selection of teas included the tried and true like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, but with a few curve-balls added: Chocolate Mint Truffle, Mayan Truffle and Pear Caramel. I tried the Pear Caramel and my companion had the Mayan Truffle. The Pear Caramel had a sweet touch of vanilla that blended with the pear and creamy caramel flavor. The Mayan Truffle was an entirely different taste, sweet with a bite from red pepper.

Even the tea sandwiches had chocolate accents (remember chocolate is savory). White chocolate and avocado mousse was topped with tender pink shrimp that were marinated in vanilla. The overall effect was simply delicious.

Of course there were cucumber sandwiches, but not your average sandwich. These had a white chocolate mint mousse with a touch of grapefruit. Very refreshing.

Smoked salmon was accented with a roasted fennel and cocoa nib mousse. The nibs lent a nutty flavor to the rich salmon.

Savory Serrano ham topped a buttery burrata mousse which was accented by sweet chocolate “caviar”. Who knew chocolate and ham would taste so good together.

The star of the sandwich tray was the Foie Gras mousse profiterole with chocolate dust. The mouse was buttery with assertive flavors of garlic. The profiterole was the perfect frame for the mousse. Holding it together but allowing its flavors to shine through.

Layers of pastries adorned a large table. Even I, dessert lover that I am could not possibly taste every offering. A few of the highlights were the chocolate brule tarts, milk chocolate orange gateau, chocolate cream fruit tarts and the chocolate coated  candied orange sticks.

But wait! I’m not finished. A large chocolate fountain gurgled with warm chocolate. The fountain was surrounded by fresh fruit, cakes, homemade marshmallow and nougat. I dipped a luscious strawberry in the chocolate lava and watch as it slid off my bamboo skewer into the depths of the chocolate, it was lost I’m afraid. Another try netted me the sweet treat along with lemon and peppermint marshmallows.

But wait! I’m still not finished. What completed the chocolate orgy was a cup of liquid chocolate. Mine was spiced with cinnamon and pepper and my companion’s had a touch of hazelnut.

As I waddled out to my car, I swore I wouldn’t eat chocolate again….that day.

The Langham Chocolate Tea is offered on Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Lobby Lounge. The cost per person is $59.00. They still serve their traditional tea Thursday – Saturday 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. For reservations and more information call (626) 568-3900. The Langham Huntington Hotel is located at 1401 Oak Knoll, Pasadena.