Ethel’s

the hot cocoa was like drinking chocolate. what else do you need?

So, I reviewed Ethel’s in Evanston, and it got 4 stars b/​c of lack of ambiance — this Ethel’s however has all a great ambiance.
Start with its location, in the Nordsrom mall in Magnificent Mile — it is an open space you just walk up to, place your order and grab a seat. We were lucky enough to find a really nice table by the window, so we could watch the people walking in the street below.
I had great company (Greshka — see her review) — we talked and talked and talked. When we got the chocolate fondue we ordered we were estatic to try it. I still prefer the milk-​chocolate flavor of the one at the Melting Pot, but this one was delicious as well. The portion was so large that we couldn’t finish eating it all — wish we could have taken it home!
The entire afternoon was great. and Ethel’s was the perfect break from shopping. Not your typical starbucks stop, rather a very enjoyable, sit down girlie moment. Just what the therapist ordered!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.
It’s super girly, relaxing, fun.
You have to go and get their chocolate fondue — comes with sugar cookies, pretzels, marshmallows, bananas, strawberries, apples… I’m telling you is amazingly good.
Great place to catch up with friends, take a break from walking/​shopping. Staff is really helpful and friendly, might even give you samples of their chocolates, which are great for gifts, parties or just yourself. Great variety all year long, plus their holiday pieces. Again, all really good and packed beautifully for all occasions.
Every time I go to Chicago I go there. Even if I don’t have time to sit and have the fondue, at least to get a chocolate to go — yes, they are that good!

I always see a line at Ethel’s in the Nordstrom mall. I figured that I’d take a chance and see what the fuss was all about. I ordered a banana mocha latte, non-​fat. The price was slightly high for a latte but I figured that I’d pay it anyway to see what the big deal was about. Services was great but the drink was awful. I like chocolate and a hint of it always makes me happy but this drink was… well…gross. I thought I was drinking chocolate syrup. Where was my banana flavor? I had no choice but to throw the very expensive drink away.