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Café Fleuri in Boston’s Langham Hotel occupies an elegant, multi-room setting of big, tables. Every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. (September to June), celebrations, families, and anti-dieters pack the house for the Chocolate Bar buffet, now in its 17th season. |
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The extravagant all-you-can-eat buffet includes a jaw-dropping smorgasbord of cookies, cocoa, pies, cakes, tortes, fondue, and a crepe station. |
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After a sensible slice of banana bread, Phantom let loose with dainty desserts like the crackly, 3-bite chocolate croissant and creamy white chocolate panna cotta spiked with lime zest. The chocolate sushi failed as a bland experiment of rice rolled around blueberries and marshmallow. But a milk chocolate “truffle pop” rolled in cinnamon and nutmeg unleashed layers of exhilarating flavor. |
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The 2nd round scored a PERFECT 10! The messy chocolate bread pudding erased the memory of all other desserts with intense, gooey chocolate melting into soft, buttery croissants. Also outrageous, a made-to-order chocolate crepe enveloped caramel covered bananas and toasted almonds, flambéed on the spot with Grand Marnier. |
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The grand finale included pretty white chocolate dipped strawberries, crunchy coconut haystacks, and a fun s’mores shotglass that layered marshmallow, crumbled graham crackers, and rich chocolate mousse. For one last interactive indulgence, Phantom dunked pretzel rods and Belgian waffles into a dreamy chocolate fondue fountain. |
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Eat as much as you want! What happens at the Chocolate Bar stays at the Chocolate Bar. Weight watchers can even indulge at the “special table” of low-carb, no sugar desserts. |
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Servers hustled around, fetching coffee, cocktails, and water while clearing half-eaten desserts. |
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Cleanliness was fine thanks to constant replenishing and tidying at the ever-mobbed Chocolate Bar. |
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Thirty dollars per person is a well-spent splurge. Kids 12 and under cost $14, and children 4 and under are FREE. |
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Café Fleuri is in Downtown Boston’s polished Langham Hotel, and the Chocolate Bar is every Saturday from September to June, noon to 3 p.m. |
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