The Perfect Chocolate Therapy

By Sandra Scott

Sightseeing in Washington, while fascinating, is exhausting. It was cold and blustery as we walked from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. Dark comes early in the winter and even though the wind had died down, we were chilled to the bone. The Washington Monument was an arrow piercing the black night; it was inspiring. Viewing the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War Memorials weighed heavy on our minds and hearts.

Our thoughts turned to a place to warm our tired body, rest our weary feet, renew our spirits, and have a bite to eat. Just a couple blocks from the Washington Monument, we knew there was a perfect place with the perfect therapy to restore our mind, body, and soul.

We headed to the Willard Hotel, a jewel in the heart of Washington, DC, and host to every American president since 1853. Now part of the InterContinental family of hotels, it combines heritage and luxury. The polished mahogany and stately atmosphere of the Willard’s Round Robin Bar made it the perfect place for a cocktail and light repast. We found a small table by the window with a view of the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and 14^th Street. As we watched the world pass by, the chill left us.

We were in good company. Sketches of notable visitors over the past 150 years adorned the walls, among them, Abe Lincoln, Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. The Willard’s venerable bar is where the famous orator Senator Henry Clay introduced Washington to the Mint julep, the Round Robin’s signature drink.

But we passed on the Mint Julep this time. Instead, from the menu of Winter Wonderland Cocktails created by Bar Manager James Hewes, we chose the Winter Therapy. Chocolate is the main therapeutic ingredient, making it just the thing to restore mind, body and spirit.

Hewes understood. “I want a winter drink for just this kind of occasion. Something smooth—that’s the chocolate part—and warm, a perfect restorative libation for a winter day or night.”

And perfect it is. It arrived quickly. “Be careful, it’s hot but it is so gooood! Enjoy,” said Osei Kwame, our server. First it warmed our hands. When it cooled sufficiently to drink, it warmed our body. The chocolate energized us and lifted the mantle of weariness.

Winter Therapy is an elegant combination of Bailey’s Irish Cream, Rumple Minze Peppermint Schnapps, and Godiva Chocolate Liquor served piping hot.

Shortly thereafter our sandwiches arrived. By then the great healing power of the Winter Therapy had done its job. And, of course, we needed a chocolate dessert to end the repast. We opted for Willard Tiramisu served with Coffee Crème Anglaise. It was the perfect way to end a winter day of sightseeing in Washington. For more information, visit http://washington.intercontinental.com.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Copley News Service and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Scott, John Scott, and The Willard Hotel

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