Chocolate Bliss!

Our friend Maria Teresa in Milan gave us a pocket-sized guide to Turin, which includes information on museums and shopping but places special emphasis on food. One place Maria Teresa especially mentioned that we must experience is Caffe' Al Bicerin, a hot-chocolate shop described in the guide in this way: "A tiny and delightful historic café where you should taste their specialty, the Bicerin, hot chocolate with coffee and cream. Bliss!" After lunch today, which was already a substantial meal and we had no need of extra calories (and it wasn't even a long enough walk from lunch to develop a small hunger), we made our way to Al Bicerin, which was conveniently on our way home already, to try this place out. It is indeed historic, having been founded there in 1763.

We couldn't tell exactly what it was that other people were ordering, so we ordered two different items, neither of which turned out to be the hot chocolate and coffee mixture in a wine glass that is apparently the namesake Bicerin. But my hot chocolate in a cup and his cold chocolate in a tall glass with a straw were both delicious. His was like a drinkable pudding and mine was just outstanding hot chocolate, extremely smooth and delicious. It may be that we will find our way back there tomorrow afternoon, before our Monday morning departure. (Especially since it's so close to our apartment.)