Chocolate Bar at the Ritz-Carlton

by Kat Kinsman, Posted Feb 13th 2009 @ 7:30PM

Wonka.

Just getting that out of the way first, as it's proved nigh on impossible to mention this event to anyone without their invoking Roald Dahl's tale of confectionary hedonism. Pastry chef Laurent Richard has crafted a carnival-themed, all-you-can-eat chocolate dessert buffet at New York City's Ritz-Carlton's 14th floor Rise Bar, and for the price of admission, one receives the privilege of sticking one's face into the endless treat plates borne by spinning ferris wheel, carousel and roller coaster, and not coming up for air until every last Nutella crepe, haute faux Twix (Chef Ricard calls it a Raider Bar), chocolate financier, Valrhona-slathered strawberry and morsel of Black Forest griotine has been gobbled up. Don't worry -- he'll make more.

It's all washable down with endless Champagne, or caramel popcorn, cotton candy and chocolate cocktails, but having sampled, well, all of them, I can only really endorse the former unless one happens to tote around a spare pancreas as a matter of habit. Save the sugar and calorie ration for the warm chocolate waffle a la minute, intense bitter chocolate squares and (swooooon) chocolate sliders.

The Chocolate Bar hosts two seatings a night, at 7:30 and 9:30 on Fridays and Saturdays throughout February. $75 per person gets you unlimited Champagne and chocolate creations, an extraordinary panoramic view of the Statue of Liberty and its environs, and endless license to torment your paramour with the Ooompa Loompa song. Reservations are required: 917-790-2600

Newyorkology has the entire menu here.

Filed Under: Ingredients, Holidays, Chefs & Restaurants, Restaurants
Tags: america, chocolate, kat kinsman, KatKinsman, laurent richard, LaurentRichard, new york, NewYork, ritz-carlton, valentines day, ValentinesDay

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

2-13-2009 @7:47PM Lindsey said... We posted a video of the chocolate carnival over on our blog: http://www.livethelushlife.com/content/valentines-day-plans
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2-15-2009 @3:01PM misskate said... The name for a Twix bar in Europe was Raider until 1991. Same delicious taste, same wrapper, different name.

The whole experience sounds like an amazing way to lapse into a diabetic coma. Champagne, chocolate and a view?! A bargain at that price!
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2-16-2009 @1:24AM Kat Kinsman said... Miss Kate - I had no idea! Thank you. I learn the best things from our Slashfood commenters. If he'd made a faux Flake, they would have had to physically remove me from the premises, lest I just start chewing on the plate that had held it.

I got home from the event and my husband had made a lovely dinner -- of which I was able to eat about a bite and a half, I was so thoroughly chocolate-stuffed.
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3-02-2009 @12:08PM ralph said... It was our first time at the chocolate bar and certainly not the last. We were there on the last day Feb 28th. The Bar was spectactular the view (no surprise to anyone) was even better. The whole serving staff were so nice, it only made the experience so much enjoyable. After each sip of champagne it was replenished, I think they got paid by each pour. Pricey, yes, but worth the experience!
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3-06-2009 @11:29AM Kat Kinsman said... Ralph - I'm so glad you got to go! Did you have a favorite of the chocolates, and did they have the waffles that night?
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