Yes, we are talking about different things. I'm referring to 14 oz. pkg of chocolate cups made by Noble under the Kirkland brand.

Here's a photo. Scroll down to see the product. This is not the Kirkland packaging.

The importer told me for a fact that it is the same product we purchased from him for 4x what Costco is selling it for. It's a true bargain at Costco, but I recommend repackaging! Or serving it in your home on a nice plate. :) For what it's worth "ours" come in a metal tin with hinged rounded top.

There are a number of small shops buying this product for $25-35 and retailing for $40-60 for 14 oz., which was the manufacturer's market until Costco came on the scene. I wonder if they will really make money from Costco in the long run. It's certainly repositioning their product from special to sleezy.

And yes, broadwayboy, you got it right: LA MAISON DU CHOCOLAT (France) the best!

Other than my desire to limit flying to what I have to do next year.

I'm game, but I would suggest to Paris, Lyon and ending in BRU.

www.davidlebovitz.com

I happened to be in Europe and re-routed to go via BRU in order to check out the chocolate situation more closely (but I was limited to what was at the airport, as I only had an hour there). Tried several different Neuhaus products, and wasn't too impressed. It is good chocolate, but no longer the best in the world or as special as it once was. Perhaps the airport store isn't the best place for such a tasting, but I now prefer other chocolates to Neuhaus. In fact I bought a Nestle Noir bar and it was almost as good (too bad they don't sell those in the US!). I guess the chocolate business has gotten to be a lot more competitive than it used to be (maybe due to better distribution channels, allowing lower volume products to exist).

I don't care for Neuhaus either.

I love Wittamer for their praline and mendiants and Pierre Marcolini for most everything...

However, those are things that require a ride to the gare centrale and a bit of a walk.

We do leave room in our bags for our caffe tasse stock up at the airport.

Some of the best damn bars and tablettes in the world.

Photos
 

Someone indicated some difficulty in finding the Neuhaus at Costco, so I have taken pictures of the package I bought. I think that I may have removed some of the external packaging and thrown it away, hence it is not visible in the picture. Also note that the box itself has no writing, so one can at least put it out at a party with no indication of the Costco lineage.

http://picasaweb.google.com/bigflyer...ey=7SPqlBPQhf4

Far and away, my favorite chocolates are Sweet Gem Confections: http://www.sweetgemconfections.com/. Her truffles are reasonably priced and spectacularly good. She uses really interesting combinations, generally heavy on the alcohol. Highly recommended.

The chocolate cake with melted center @ Tarragon @ Elk Mountain Resort @ MTJ/TEX was outstanding. By far the best I've had of that style. Probably the richest cake I've ever had as well. Also surprisingly large and incredible value.

I'm also a fan of the chocolate truffle cake at Mccormick and Schmick's.
(the grocery store brand simply enjoy makes one that tastes almost the same ^^)

And high quality chocolate mousse. Best I've had so far was probably at a restaraunt in Rome near the Spanish steps. Spent hours dining outside, and had the mousse several times. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name or location of the restaraunt :(

Reminds me the best hot chocolate I have had was also in Rome, although I cannot remember where it was..

Truffle/mousse cake was 1 of my "6 foods in heaven" :p

edit - winner for strangest ad on FT - Tupac ad right now for this page :D

Don't know if this has been posted but worth trying In the San Francisco area: Bitter Sweet Chocolate Cafe:

http://www.bittersweetcafe.com/events.html

The owner's parents are residents in the building where I work and their chocolate is heavenly (on the level of a Tescheurs which makes my favorite cat shaped chocolates.)

They even have chocolate tastings... might be fun for an FT meeting. :)

Thanks for the picture link. I checked the package at my local Costco yesterday, made in Belgium by Bouchard L'Escaut - did not buy, so no opinion on their chocolates.

I'm embarrased to say that I've never heard of MARCOLINI until you pointed out to me. Thanks for the tip; I will check them out when I go to BRU in February.

Yes, La Maison du Chocolat is truly wonderful. And I don't have to go to Paris to purchase them as they have a store in Rockefeller Center.

Bigflyer

Thanks for the photo- the post by MDSD indicates a different manufacturer-- which is what I discovered at my local Costco-- I wonder if they switched?

Wittamer is yummy!!!!

Thanks for the picture. I'm about halfway through a box I bought a few weeks ago. They aren't bad (at least the dark), but not the best I've had.

You need a t-shirt that says "Will fly for chocolate"

This thread has persuaded me to add to my New Year's resolutions. I prefer to make resolutions that are fun to keep, so my standing resolution for many years has been "Drink champagne more often."
Resolution # 2 is now "Eat chocolate more often" :)

Purchased today the 16 oz. box of Belgian Chocholates as pictured in previous post. Label states "Made in Belgium for Neuhaus USA, Inc." It would be nice if the top half of box fitted over a shrink wrapped bottom half.

Contents of package very good. My preference has been for Ethel M's out of Las Vegas. The price is right on this Costco stuff. Does anyone know why Costco no longer carries Just Deserts chocolate cake? They seem to carry one flavor of Just Deserts cake and haven't noticed chocolate for over a year.

Very nice thread. We were surprised by some of the South African chocolates and the special flavors: ie; rock salt with dark chocolate.