"Things just got a little sweeter at the Avery Bar within the Ritz-Carlton, Boston with the launch of Avery Bar Chocolate late last month. Each Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. through the holidays, pop into the hotel bar and warm up by the marble fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate and accompaniments by pastry chef Christoper Goluszka. His concoction is a mix of Maracaibo Créole milk chocolate — a cream-forward chocolate with hints of caramel — and Maracaibo Clasificado dark chocolate, with notes of coffee, plum, and orange blossom. Adults can choose to spike their sip with their spirit of choice, and kids can enjoy a more classic (booze-free, naturally) hot cocoa. Alongside hot chocolate, savor candy cane shortbread cookies, double-fudge brownies, vanilla bean marshmallows, caramel whipped cream, and more. The sweet escape sets you back $20 per adult and $12 per child. Stop in after a day of shopping downtown, or when you just need a chocolatey pick-me-up." - Nathan Tavares
