When the cold weather rolls in (and I know it's balmy for late December, but it's not exactly warm), I become increasingly tempted by the promise of various hot, steamy, coffee and chocolate beverages offered by the chains.

Yesterday, I found myself walking along University en route to work, when I passed a Timothy's and found I could not resist the promise of a delicious sounding Dark Chocolate Caramel Latte Bene.

It sounded like the perfect thing for a cool, blustry and gray day.

I should have known better. There was no rich smooth chocolate flavour, nor the creamy caramel I was hoping for. Just the bitterness of the espresso and the blandness of underheated 2% milk.

It didn't even have the chocolate sprinkles on top as the poster suggests. And frankly, under chocolate sprinkles, and maybe some whipped cream, I probably wouldn't have noticed.

I got a small. Total waste of 4$.

The sad thing is, a couple weeks ago I had a Gingerbread Latte at Starbucks and was also struck by the blandness of the beverage.

Is there no hope for winter? I haven't dared Tim's hot smoothees yet, they kind of scare me.