[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

A luxurious hotel outfitted for the holidays, with a mini hibachi for assembling s'mores tableside? Sign me up. The Central Park South location of the Ritz-Carlton is offering up s'mores at The Star Lounge daily. Sit back in a plush chair while the hibachi comes accompanied with grahams crackers, semi-sweet chocolate squares, and a trio of housemade marshmallows, all different flavors. It's campfire-style, only a lot more chic ($25/person). On the left, there's a plush peppermint marshmallow. Spear and roast till the surface browns, then sandwich tight with chocolate and graham crackers. It's messy and playful all at once. If you're so inclined, slice the marshmallows in half to make flavor combinations. Raspberry and vanilla s'mores are a particularly good match.

To make this a complete meal, housemade hot chocolate comes with the s'mores set (add $6 for spiked hot chocolate if you so desire). It's poured tableside from a silver pot, steaming and indulgent, just sweet enough, and rich in a way that only heavy cream and whole milk could achieve. You'll also find flavors like crushed candy cane and caramel fudge hot chocolate. Hard to pick one, but you can never go wrong with Christmas Spice: a hot chocolate infused with gingerbread and pumpkin spice.

The Ritz-Carlton New York

50 Central Park South, New York NY 10019 (map)
212-308-9100
ritzcarlton.com

About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan blogs at Kathy YL Chan, where she chronicles her eats and travels adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.