Chocolate Wasted | All I Ate and Drank in Italy: Part 1

Mar 9

My sister Roxell (right) and I boarding a Ferry Boat near Como, Italy.

My last birthday? Spent soaking up the magic of Lake Como, Italy. Cue the dramatic sigh. It was the dream trip I’d put off for years, waiting on love to show up with a passport and a shared Google itinerary. But life had other plans. So instead, I took myself—and celebrated the most important love of all: the one I already have within me.

And as if that wasn’t sweet enough, my sister joined me—making this trip even more unforgettable.

From Houston to Como with Love

I’ve called Los Angeles home since 2005, but family ties still tug me back to Houston, Texas. Usually, sister trips look like holiday dinners, quick catch-ups, or tag-teaming family duties. But this? This was different. I had hyped up this solo Italy birthday adventure so much, my sister Roxell—law firm boss, real estate investor, and all-around powerhouse—started hinting she might actually join.

Of course, I didn’t take her seriously. Her schedule is like a law textbook: dense and never-ending. But after a few more “I’m coming” comments, I started to wonder... Could she really make it?

One day, while mid-complaint about her not booking a flight, my dear friend Monique—a 20+ year ride-or-die and life coach with zero tolerance for my whining—hit me with the realness: “Talk to your sister, then call me back.” Message received. I picked up the phone, nerves buzzing, and asked Roxell—Are you still planning to come to Italy with me?

“Yep,” she said. Just like that.

She booked her flight that day, along with a few of the activities I’d already obsessively reserved. It was ON.

I went into full-blown itinerary-planning mode. Google Maps links? Check. Transportation? Double check. Tours galore? Check, check, and check. Want in on the fun? 👉🏽 [Get Our Free Chocolate Lover’s Guide to Lake Como Itinerary Here]

I could go on (and on) about how wild it felt meeting her in Paris, or how we dined lakeside in Como with views so stunning they felt fake—but you're here for the chocolate. And trust me, I came ready to indulge. Here's everything I ate and drank—chocolate only—during my Summer in Lake Como birthday trip.

Touchdown in Paris - La Maison du Chocolat Paris

One of the many joys of being a chocolate lover and landing in Paris? Knowing that top-tier cocoa creations are never far away in the “City of Lights.” But when you're just breezing through on a layover, you’ve got to strategize—no time for chocolate dawdling. I briefly toyed with the idea of squeezing in a stop at Cédric Grolet (a girl can dream), but the infamous lines and my tight schedule said, “Not this time, ma’am.” Thankfully, La Maison du Chocolat, the chic chocolate haven, has eight booths scattered like edible treasure chests across Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport.

On my way to meet my sister—fresh off a flight from Houston and ready to dash with me to our gate for Milan—I spotted the boutique’s counter in Terminal 2 like a beacon of sweet salvation. Since their goodies can’t be shipped to the U.S. (truly, a travesty), I was determined to spend my freshly exchanged euros wisely. I’d done my homework and had my eye on the glazed hazelnuts, those cheeky insolite oyster-shaped chocolates, and the crunchy praline rochers. But when push came to boarding pass, I played it classic: a petite box of their Coffret Maison Dark Chocolate —24 luxurious bites of ganache and praliné bliss. I didn’t even sneak a taste until I was stateside, which honestly deserves a medal for self-control.

Milan Surprise - California Bakery

wasn’t exactly chasing a taste of home when I wandered into Milan’s Corso Como square —a lively little enclave known for its nightlife and anchored by the charming Pyari fountain. But somehow, I ended up at California Bakery, a Milanese café chain with a love affair for all things Americana. With over a dozen locations sprinkled throughout the city, they’ve got a themed menu that reads like a U.S. road trip—each section named after a different city. Naturally, I flipped to Los Angeles—my home base—and, before I knew it, I was ordering Avocado Toast in Italy. Go figure.

But the real moment came at dessert. I went with the One Love chocolate cake—its texture hit all the right notes, even if it wasn’t quite as decadent as the heavy-frosting, butter-packed slices back in the States. Still, it held its own, especially paired with the first of many Aperol Spritzes I’d sip on this trip. I skipped the Choco Pistachio Cake (this time), but the dessert lineup was stacked—think cheesecakes and classic chocolate indulgences galore.

I recently found out they’ve opened a dreamy new location—California Bakery Garden and Lounge —a cozy, themed spot that’s open late (a rare gem in Milan). Consider it officially bookmarked for a nighttime visit on my next go-round.