Your favorite places for choocolate
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:13 PM
#42
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My impressions after visiting Switzerland (chocolate-wise):
1. it's difficult to go wrong with chocolates. Of course, everybody has a favorite, but generally they are all good. Just pay attention to make sure you're not getting milk instead of dark, or vice-versa.
2. don't waste your time eating chocolates there, buy to take home only (and buy A LOT! they go fast!). While there, eat ice-cream, this heavenly food is impossible to bring home.
1. it's difficult to go wrong with chocolates. Of course, everybody has a favorite, but generally they are all good. Just pay attention to make sure you're not getting milk instead of dark, or vice-versa.
2. don't waste your time eating chocolates there, buy to take home only (and buy A LOT! they go fast!). While there, eat ice-cream, this heavenly food is impossible to bring home.
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:59 PM
#43
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Finally, I thread I can really get into!!!
Sorry, Swiss and Belgian fans, I have to say that I think the French make the best chocolate, hands down. The French seem to understand the nuance needed to bring out all the flavors, as well as the tannic and acidic qualities of chocolate, and balance it with the sweetness. Yep. French chocolates, all the way.
In Paris, some great places to visit:
La Maison du Chocolate
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/
Jean-Paul Hevin
http://www.jphevin.com/
Richart – gorgeous chocolates with silk-screened designs. A box of these chocolates makes such a lovely gift. There is a boutique in New York too, so I go there often for special occasions. I usually have trouble paying the rent after that, but that's life.
http://www.richart-chocolates.com/
At work, I use single estate chocolates made by the French company, Michel Cluizel.
Now, onto the undersung Italian chocolate masters.
Amedei chocolate is indeed heavenly. Italian chocolatiers have a lot of catching up to do to the French, (and Swiss and Belgians) but they are making headway. Mostly they suffer from a lack of exposure, and an inability to market themselves to the rest of the world. I have tried, and you can't find them on this side of the Atlantic. Check out their website:
http://www.amedei.it/index.html
They are located in Pisa.
They have a link to an article from Gambero Rosso that is very interesting:
http://www.amedei.it/en/gambero_rosso.htm
Now, my favorite Italian chocolates are in Florence, at Vestri. They are based in Arezzo, but their chocolate shop in Florence is simply heavenly. I had the best chocolate gelato of my life there, flavored with orange. Their hot chocolate is fabulous too. I bought little boxes of Vestri chocolates and gave them to the friends back home as gifts, they sell their hot chocolate to make at home, I think. By the way, it is like warm chocolate pudding. Damn.
Their website is not working right now, unfortunately, at least not for me.
http://www.cioccolateriavestri.it/
But they are mentioned right here on Fodors.com The pathetic blurb doesn’t do this shop justice.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...erty_id=315950
By the way, I still love a bag of M&M's or a Hershey's kiss. And Russell Stovers chocolate covered cherries.
Sorry, Swiss and Belgian fans, I have to say that I think the French make the best chocolate, hands down. The French seem to understand the nuance needed to bring out all the flavors, as well as the tannic and acidic qualities of chocolate, and balance it with the sweetness. Yep. French chocolates, all the way.
In Paris, some great places to visit:
La Maison du Chocolate
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/
Jean-Paul Hevin
http://www.jphevin.com/
Richart – gorgeous chocolates with silk-screened designs. A box of these chocolates makes such a lovely gift. There is a boutique in New York too, so I go there often for special occasions. I usually have trouble paying the rent after that, but that's life.
http://www.richart-chocolates.com/
At work, I use single estate chocolates made by the French company, Michel Cluizel.
Now, onto the undersung Italian chocolate masters.
Amedei chocolate is indeed heavenly. Italian chocolatiers have a lot of catching up to do to the French, (and Swiss and Belgians) but they are making headway. Mostly they suffer from a lack of exposure, and an inability to market themselves to the rest of the world. I have tried, and you can't find them on this side of the Atlantic. Check out their website:
http://www.amedei.it/index.html
They are located in Pisa.
They have a link to an article from Gambero Rosso that is very interesting:
http://www.amedei.it/en/gambero_rosso.htm
Now, my favorite Italian chocolates are in Florence, at Vestri. They are based in Arezzo, but their chocolate shop in Florence is simply heavenly. I had the best chocolate gelato of my life there, flavored with orange. Their hot chocolate is fabulous too. I bought little boxes of Vestri chocolates and gave them to the friends back home as gifts, they sell their hot chocolate to make at home, I think. By the way, it is like warm chocolate pudding. Damn.
Their website is not working right now, unfortunately, at least not for me.
http://www.cioccolateriavestri.it/
But they are mentioned right here on Fodors.com The pathetic blurb doesn’t do this shop justice.
http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgr...erty_id=315950
By the way, I still love a bag of M&M's or a Hershey's kiss. And Russell Stovers chocolate covered cherries.
Jul 5th, 2005, 06:29 PM
#45
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We found our delicious Belgian Cote D'or chocolate back in the US at a local upscale food market. The orange dark chocolate bar was excellent. The wrapper informed us that, yes it was made in Belgium, and the parent company was KRAFT!!! It was still as good as it was in Belgium. It beats lugging it home in our carry-ons.
Jul 5th, 2005, 06:45 PM
#47
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Mmmmmm. You're making me salivate. My husband and I have a mini chocolate tasting every night with chamomile tea before bed. I have so many favorites. My tops would be Michel Cluizel Grand Noir 85% (France), Cote d'Or (Belgium) 86% Brut Noir de Noir, Dolfin Noir 88% de Cacau (Belgium).
Last year, on my birthday, my husband bought me a case of chocolate bars from all over the world. All wonderful dark, dark chocolate. He found a web site called chocolatesource.com. You can't buy one of this or one of that, for the most part, you have to buy 6 of this or 4 of that. I've been rationing the chocolate ever since. We just do a square or three every once in a while. In between times when I break into my "chocolate vault" (a little box I have tucked away in my closet), we buy our chocolate at Whole Foods Market (in California). They have many, many good ones, including Chocolove 77% (Belgium), Rapunzel 70% (Swiss) has a slight coffee taste (to me) - my husband likes it a lot, and of course, Green & Black's Organic 70% (Italy). To me, the darker, the better.
And by the way, with all our tastings, overall, the #1, hands down winner was Michel Cluizel, which we picked up in Paris, and wish we bought many, many more of. Oh my!
As for a chocolate dessert, since we're on the subject, if you're ever in London and have a chance to go to Chutney Mary, in Chelsea (on King's Road), which is an excellent Indian restaurant, in my humble opinion, you simply MUST try their Chocolate Fondant with Orange Lassi. It was so incredible we finished one & ordered a second (all three times we went there - in a three week trip!). It's amazing dark warm, gooey, molton chocolate cake. OH BABY! I died and went to heaven - twice in one meal!
I even tried to write to Chutney Mary to obtain the recipe. (No luck so far.)
The funny thing is, I would never consider myself a "chocoholic." When I first start dating my husband, I rarely ate the stuff. Now I have him going on it.
Bon appetit!
Last year, on my birthday, my husband bought me a case of chocolate bars from all over the world. All wonderful dark, dark chocolate. He found a web site called chocolatesource.com. You can't buy one of this or one of that, for the most part, you have to buy 6 of this or 4 of that. I've been rationing the chocolate ever since. We just do a square or three every once in a while. In between times when I break into my "chocolate vault" (a little box I have tucked away in my closet), we buy our chocolate at Whole Foods Market (in California). They have many, many good ones, including Chocolove 77% (Belgium), Rapunzel 70% (Swiss) has a slight coffee taste (to me) - my husband likes it a lot, and of course, Green & Black's Organic 70% (Italy). To me, the darker, the better.
And by the way, with all our tastings, overall, the #1, hands down winner was Michel Cluizel, which we picked up in Paris, and wish we bought many, many more of. Oh my!
As for a chocolate dessert, since we're on the subject, if you're ever in London and have a chance to go to Chutney Mary, in Chelsea (on King's Road), which is an excellent Indian restaurant, in my humble opinion, you simply MUST try their Chocolate Fondant with Orange Lassi. It was so incredible we finished one & ordered a second (all three times we went there - in a three week trip!). It's amazing dark warm, gooey, molton chocolate cake. OH BABY! I died and went to heaven - twice in one meal!
I even tried to write to Chutney Mary to obtain the recipe. (No luck so far.)The funny thing is, I would never consider myself a "chocoholic." When I first start dating my husband, I rarely ate the stuff. Now I have him going on it.
Bon appetit!
Jul 5th, 2005, 06:47 PM
#48
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I don't believe in discriminating against any particular European chocolate. But while I'm not a chocoholic (I know, shameful!), I do love walking around the streets of Brussels looking into every chocolate store there is. I must have brought home my mom's weight in chocolate just for HER!!!
So much fun, please keep naming places. I'm compiling a list.
Margaret
So much fun, please keep naming places. I'm compiling a list.
Margaret
Jul 5th, 2005, 09:47 PM
#49
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I agree for the money the milka bar is the best and you used to get it at Target but now Walmart has it!!Please dont go out and buy it all...chocolate snobs have you tried it? we ate our way thru Europe and found this to be the cheapest and tastiest bar..the hazelnut the best!
Jul 5th, 2005, 10:44 PM
#50
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We got some Milka bars last summer in France. My daughter declared them her favorite of all the chocolate she tried. I have purchased a few for her at Cost Plus Market but didn't know Target had them. Can't believe they are now at Wal-Mart.
Jul 6th, 2005, 02:38 AM
#52
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I first sampled Pierre Marcolini's divine creations when in Brussles (at his shop on the Avenue Louise), but am pleased to say he has a shop in London (6 Kensington Church Street), and even one in NYC (485 Park Avenue)
Unbeatable in my opinion!!
Unbeatable in my opinion!!
Jul 6th, 2005, 03:18 AM
#53
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I agree willibob.. I had some Nestle chocolates that were Swiss, and they were unbelievable. Totally different from Nestle in the US (creamier).
I also do like Lindt, but Belgium chocolates are my favorite.
I also do like Lindt, but Belgium chocolates are my favorite.
Jul 7th, 2005, 08:28 AM
#54
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From what I have tried so far, yes, BELGIAN CHOCOLATE IS THE BEST...OUI!
In NYC, I get my Belgian chocolate fix at LEONIDA'S on Madison Ave.
Also here is NEUHAUS chocolates on Broadway.
The best HOT CHOCOLATE I have had, though, is MARIE BELLE in SoHo. Their AZTEC hot chocolate on a winter day is TO DIE FOR!
I also like LINDT because the people working there are nice and give free samples.
In NYC, I get my Belgian chocolate fix at LEONIDA'S on Madison Ave.
Also here is NEUHAUS chocolates on Broadway.
The best HOT CHOCOLATE I have had, though, is MARIE BELLE in SoHo. Their AZTEC hot chocolate on a winter day is TO DIE FOR!
I also like LINDT because the people working there are nice and give free samples.
Jul 19th, 2005, 09:18 AM
#56
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Katiebug, I don't know where in California you are, but you can get several types of Michel Cluizel bars in the Bay Area. Andronico's and other sort-of-upscale grocery stores stock them, as do any number of gourmet shops.
While I'm here, let me mention one chocolate destination that hasn't been named so far: Torino. A number of beautiful cafes with great hot chocolate and some really great chocolate shops, too. Even my Belgian friends agree.
While I'm here, let me mention one chocolate destination that hasn't been named so far: Torino. A number of beautiful cafes with great hot chocolate and some really great chocolate shops, too. Even my Belgian friends agree.
Jul 19th, 2005, 09:24 AM
#57
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I never met a chocolate bar I didn't like but one of the best chocolate bars I ever bought was at the Zurich airport. The chocolate bar is divided into little squares like chocolate pillows. Each little chocolate pillow contains liquid cognac. If you don't know that, then the first bite will be messy. After that you learn to hold your chocolate pillow up like a shot glass. It's like having a happy hour while you get your chocolate fix. Total nirvana!!
Jul 19th, 2005, 10:52 AM
#58
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Belgian chocolate - simply the best
from the commonly available brands like Cote d'Or to the real gourmet stuff from the specialty shops. I find it overall better than Swiss, Dutch or English. The only comparable chocolate I have had was a French brand whose name unfortunately escapes me.
from the commonly available brands like Cote d'Or to the real gourmet stuff from the specialty shops. I find it overall better than Swiss, Dutch or English. The only comparable chocolate I have had was a French brand whose name unfortunately escapes me.
