Chicago - November 10, 2004

Hot or Not?

NoMi Hot Chocolate Lounge

SINGLE FEMALE SEEKS SOMETHING HOT AND STEAMY THIS WINTER. Loves to indulge in the finer things. Prefers her sweetness with a little extra kick.

Call off the search. NoMI Lounge has just the thing to fit the bill: Haute Chocolat Chaud, a selection of cocoas for adults only. Using three of the world’s most acclaimed chocolatiers — Chicago’s Vosges, Switzerland’s Teuscher, and France’s Valrhona — to create the most tempting elixirs, NoMI promises to heat up the season.

For a warm-up, start with the Bianca — a combination of Vosges white chocolate, Australian lemon myrtle, and lavender leaves, served in a cocktail glass. Feeling experimental? Branch out with the Truffles à Trois, a Teuscher sampler in which each truffle is served in its own liqueur glass and bathed in steaming-hot milk to release the Dom Pérignon, jasmine tea and Grand Marnier encased inside. Or try Grandma Jeanette’s traditional hot cocoa, made with Valrhona chocolate, for something you can bring home to mom and dad.

Sounds like this could be more than just a fling.

The NoMI Lounge at the Park Hyatt, 800 North Michigan Avenue, at Chicago Avenue (312-239-4030).