I thought I might have to travel to Turin, but as fate would have it, Turin came to me, or rather, to Manhattan; the food emporium/ restaurant/ cafe/ almost all things Italian enterprise of Lidia Bastianich and Mario Bataly, called " Eataly" , on 23rd street, selling the coveted Bicerin. Here was my chance!
I confess, it took me a little longer to get there than I had planned-simply because, as a New Yorker who has worked in and commuted back aNd forth to Manhattan for over a decade, I was reluctant to travel into Manhattan on an off day.
But last Monday, I finally did it; I stepped into Eataly at lunchtime ( if you go, I do not recommend lunchtime because of the swelling crowds), and at the caffe bar, ordered my Bicerin.
At close to $5, and just the size of an overfilled espresso, it is a little painful on the wallet, but again, how much would airfare be to Italy? I stepped out to Madison square park and found a bench amongst the lunch breakers to sit and savor my drink.
I found it thick and rich as expected; a drink to be sipped slowly, but not too slowly as the extreme heat of the espresso wears off quickly. The coffee and chocolate meld nicely in the palate; I don't know if this is blasphemy, but the taste, after a few sips, reminded me vaguely of a Starbucks' caffe mocha. The cream slowly sifted down and dispersed, like marshmallows on hot cocoa.
I was sorry the drink was over, I shook the cup for the last drops. Was it what I had expected; yes, I would say delightfully so!
Here is my cellphone pic of my Bicerin:
Yes - that is chocolate on the rim of the cup...ooh lala!
