Coco-luxe Confections--Haight Street

My morning started with a friend informing me that a search for My Chocolate Valentine on Facebook yields a site for a black all-male revue.  Hmm, guess I should have done a little more market research before starting my blog!  After that tidbit of news, I found myself in the costume rental department of American Conservatory Theater, lacing up my favorite go go dancer (yes, go go dancer)--who happens to be one of the hottest grandmothers (yes, you read that right too) in existence--into a corset and 18th C gown.

Tracy and her Go Go Pros are performing in this Sunday's Academy of Friends Oscar Night Gala at Ft. Mason. This year's theme is "Behind the Seams," reflecting costume design in Hollywood films.  No, Tracy won't be actually dancing in the sumptuous black, gold and white brocade gown that we both quickly agreed upon.  Instead, she will be one of the "actors" coming out in sexy undergarments to get dressed, coiffed and made-up a la a movie star in his/her dressing room.  Not until later in the evening will she be undulating on a go go platform in something considerably less massive and weighty.

After 1-1/2 hours of lacing and unlacing at ACT (and yes, a knee to the corseted back really helps with leverage), my next mission beckoned. Actually, it screamed.  The order of gold lame' bodysuits for our Gold Boys ("living" oscar statues comprised of buff Gold's Gym men and a few women) that were due to arrive today have been held up at customs.  Back-up bodysuits or briefs were urgently required, in case the overseas shipment doesn't clear by Saturday morning.  After numerous calls around town, my co-workers informed me that New York Apparel on Haight Street had gold lame' briefs.  Since I was already at Costumes on Haight (purchasing a long cigarette holder and sunglasses for the Breakfast at Tiffany's scene), I ventured farther along Haight Street--lined with vintage, second-hand, and ultra-funky clothing stores--to gather up whatever I could of gold bottoms (that is a story itself, but I digress enough). 

So, WHAT, you are asking yourselves, has any of this to do with hot chocolate?  Well, after power-shopping for the Gold Boys, I continued my search along Haight for additional costumes and accessories until I walked past Coco-luxe Confections.  My friend Hal had recently informed me about the store's existence, and I was now foot-sore and weary, so I happily tucked into the interior--as hip and retro as the store's name--, bellied up to the counter and inspected the beverage options listed on the whiteboard.  Hot Cocoa.  About half dozen or more kinds, including Gingerbread and the nearly ubiquitous Mexican (cinnamon and chile).  The tantalizing words "Hot Pudding" were scrawled at the bottom of the list.  The young woman behind the register assured me it was thick--to be consumed with a spoon. But it was also vegan.  Hmmm. A few doubts pecked at my mind, but in the interest of curiosity and this blog, I was of course compelled to try a cup.

At first I was excited by the deep brown pudding resting beneath a mound of freshly whipped cream.  But my excitement quickly melted into disappointment when I discovered the pudding's gelatinous texture. The disappointment deepened after tasting it. Only a faint chocolate flavor.  No depth, no complexity.  No tastebud orgasm. Just an unevenly coagulated mass of cocoa powder mixed with water and some thickening agent. After consuming less than half the cup, I set down my spoon and pushed the cup aside.

If you are a vegan longing for an idea of the sinfully rich beverage that is the Holy Grail of this blog's quest, then you may feel inclined to order the Hot Pudding.  Or not. That said, although the Hot Pudding didn't live up to my standards, I may return to Coco-luxe to sample their hot cocoas, knowing that they will be just that--hot cocoa and not hot chocolate. And I will hope that the product is significantly more appealing than what I tried today.

Until the next post, happy spooning!