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.
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