By Jess Sharpe

It’s been over a month since Valentine’s day. And I would be lying if I said that all those red- and pink-themed chocolates I bought in the festive spirit had lasted me for even half that time. As February (the month perhaps most associated with unabashed chocolate consumption) becomes buried in the calendar and under Hershey’s Kisses wrappers, the future has been sweetened by the recent arrival of Juliette & Chocolat on the corner of Prince Arthur and St Laurent. Why is this such good news? Because this chocolate “bar” promises to deliver chocolate in all forms to patrons, no matter what the occasion.

The spacious and bright interior of the restaurant makes it an accommodating place for large groups to rendezvous, day or night. (And fyi, there’s free WiFi). Waitresses wearing charming red chef’s toques bustle around carrying cups, bowls, and plates of chocolate in its every incarnation. Key menu items include: rich and velvety “drinking chocolate” – made from varieties of high quality dark and milk chocolate for $9.75. Or for a little extra kick, chocolate cocktails are also offered (although currently a sign on the door says a license is still pending). Crepes, savoury or sweet, range from $4.75-$14.95. The ice cream sundaes are $6.95-$12.95, and come with a variety of toppings; they are also – of course – slathered with melted chocolate. My favourite deal on the menu is the $3.50 brownie – it’s the perfect little pick-me-up.

Thanks to Juliette & Chocolat, I’ll now be scrapping my plan to buy all of Pharmaprix’s post-Easter sale chocolate. Instead I am going to embrace my chocoholic tendencies by occasionally indulging in one of J&C’s high-quality chocolate-y offerings. So round up the chocolate-lovers in your life, and get to Juliette & Chocolat to celebrate the beautiful occasion of your shared affection for the cocoa stuff.

Hours: Monday–Thursday, 11–11; Friday, 11am – midnight; Saturday, 10am – midnight; Sunday, 10am – 11pm.

3600 St Laurent (corner of Prince Arthur), 438-380-1090

With other locations at Parc and Laurier and on St Denis in the Latin Quarter

http://www.julietteetchocolat.com/