Nordstrom ebar

Forget the frappuccino. The mocha ice storm at the Nordstrom ebar is a dessert drink worth the calories. Even though it’s decaf and nonfat, it’s creamy and decadent all the way. The chocolate flavor is authentic, like a cold chocolate bar. As you drink it, the whipped cream drizzled with chocolate syrup melts into the drink, and it ends not with a chunk of ice at the bottom, but a creamy last sip of whipped cream and chocolate!

Healthy tip: This is really dessert. The tall mocha ice storm has 350 calories. Not good. But at least it’s not the mint chocolate chip ice storm, which has a whopping 540 calories! Also, avoid any portion size called “enorme” (that’s 670 and 930 calories!) – that’s just wrong.

Americana at Brand

889 Americana Way, Glendale CA 91210

(818) 664-7008

http://restaurants.nordstrom.com

Trader Joe's

OK, you will probably find many Trader Joe’s posts on this blog. They have some really amazing treats, and if you shop at Trader Joe’s at all, you already know that. But if you’re looking for a delicious bubbly at an incredible price, look no further than TJ’s. The Charles de Marques brut is an authentic champagne for about $20! (Bubbly can only be called champagne if it is produced in the region of the same name in France following a strict set of regulations; otherwise, it’s sparkling wine.) Dry and crisp with a touch of sweet, it pairs wonderfully with chocolate. We recommend TJ’s dark chocolate sea salt caramels (in the box with the lighthouse). We stocked up when they said it was only a seasonal item, and promptly ran out, but now it’s stocked all year. The caramel is soft and indulgent, not sticky and chewy, and the chocolate is superb, but for the right balance of sweet and salt, we suggest scraping off a few bits of the rock salt.

Healthy tip: Try juicy, ripe strawberries with champagne instead of chocolate. And be sure to find reasons to celebrate in life — often. I found a birthday card the other day that said “Time to celebrate another year of not being dead!”

http://www.traderjoes.com

Photo: Forgot to photograph the bottle before opening it!

Sazo’s Marriott Rivercenter

When traveling, the hotel is not always the best dining option. But it is when you stay at the Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk in San Antonio. We knew we should give Sazo’s a try when we sampled the Jack Daniel’s bread pudding at a tasting station set up in the lobby by the head chef one afternoon. Not a bread pudding fan, I was an instant convert. The texture of the bread was perfect, and the whiskey sauce was creamy and delicious. Dinner at Sazo’s was equally satisfying. The Texas chocolate cake, also available in the lobby bar called The Bar, was a rich hunk of moist dark chocolate cake with a wonderful cherry sauce and a Texas-shaped cookie.

Healthy tip: Fruit can be fabulous. And I don’t mean just cherries on a chocolate cake. They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and the blueberries I put on the homemade granola for breakfast were the biggest I’ve ever seen, with flavor to match.

101 Bowie St., San Antonio, TX 78205

(210) 554-6180

http://sazossanantonio.com

Paciugo

The owner of Paciugo grew up in Italy, studied traditional gelato-making in culinary school and later moved to Dallas, where she missed gelato and opened her own shop. This had to be some of, if not the, best gelato I’ve ever had — and I’ve had it in Italy and Spain! Of course the creamy texture was amazing, but the creative flavors took my taste buds for a whirl. I had peppermint chocolate chip, and I’ve never tasted a better pairing in frozen form. The pinkish-red peppermint was not overpowering, and the chocolate chunks were dark and intense. I split my (heaping single scoop) cup with the violet gelato. Outside of France, I haven’t found many violet treats. This one was delicately sweet with satisfyingly crunchy violet “crystals.” While I was still eating, I wondered how I would survive not having Paciugo down the street. When I got back to LA, I found out there are 3 locations nearby, but still a bit of a trek: Huntington Beach, Hermosa Beach and Thousand Oaks.

Healthy tip: You might think there’s no help for you if you cross the threshold of a gelato shop, but remember portion size! I still don’t get how all those people can walk into a self-service frozen yogurt place and fill a huge bowl (that’s not a cup!) past the brim and eat it all. You should never walk into a yogurt shop that hungry, my friend.

http://paciugo.com

Abacus

I have a soft spot for chocolate and mint. OK, maybe it’s a gaping cavity. I recently discovered the ultimate chocolate “thin mint” at Abacus in Dallas, the flagship restaurant from award-winning celebrity chef Kent Rathbun. After some delectable lobster shooters with red curry and an entrée of perfectly cooked scallops and toasted English pea ravioli with carrot puree and a touch of maple brown butter, the piece de resistance was the chocolate “thin mint.” Gourmet “junior mints” and thin mint ice cream complement a rich and dense flourless chocolate brownie. Incredible!

Healthy tip: Are you kidding? Indulge! Everything is delicious.

4511 McKinney Ave, Dallas, TX 75205

(214) 559-3111

http://www.abacus-restaurant.com

Kaldi

Kaldi in South Pasadena makes one of the best mochas I’ve had anywhere. It has the perfect blend of sweet chocolate and rich coffee, and it’s silky and creamy – even with nonfat milk! – all the way to the end. (A lot of mochas have that overwhelming layer of chocolate powder at the bottom). The baristas craft a heart in the foam, which is a delicious layer of creaminess to savor. After only two visits, the barista knew my order – small decaf nonfat mocha – by heart.

Healthy tip: The pastries are not tempting, so skip them and drink your calories.

Bonus: The huge picture windows frame an idyllic view of the lawn and trees in front of the S. Pasadena Library Community Room.

1019 El Centro St, South Pasadena, CA 91030

(626) 403-5951

Urth Caffé

Urth Caffé is a wonderful little gem in downtown Los Angeles…once you find it! It’s a bit tricky the first drive around the block (or two), but it’s located in the Arts District – east of Little Tokyo and west of the LA River. Urth is the perfect place to lunch with good friends for a variety of tasty treats from breakfast to lunch to desserts. We highly recommend the Chocolate Crown Cake – not overly sweet, the uber chocolaty cake and frosting satisfies three essential cravings: sweet, chocolate and dessert. It’s big enough to share but YOLA! Have your own slice, particularly if you ordered a salad (try the Herb Turkey Salad!). As a bona fide tea drinker, I only drink coffee when I come here – it’s that good! 100% organic and sustainably grown with fair-trade practices you actually believe are true, the Spanish coffee tastes as if you were vacationing in Barcelona. There are five Urth locations stretching from Pasadena to the Westside to tempt your taste buds. Enjoy!

Photo: We dug in before taking the cake's beauty shot – it was lovely when it arrived to our table!

Healthy tip: If the coffee is organic, you can bet all foods are freshly prepared with quality ingredients.

Bonus: There is street parking, but a little valet (reasonably priced at $3) across the street comes in handy when running late.

451 S Hewitt St., Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 797-4534

http://www.urthcaffe.com