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Ritter Dark with Hazelnuts is great.
Lowest price we seen is Trader Joe's.
Originally Posted by lance6
I'll add another vote for Ritter Sport - I like the Dark with Hazelnuts version. Yum. Or Scharffenberger 80% or Dark with Ground Coffee.
I sometimes like a nice dark chocolate with a stout beer (like an oatmeal stout or similar). My wife recently made French toast from scratch and added some bits of Ritter Sport w/ Hazelnuts melted in between slices. The best breakfast I've had! I am blessed that she went to culinary school. |
High Five ---> Fracophile
Originally Posted by francophile
http://newscenter.peninsula.com/webl...tch1=pen-press
“Chocolate At The Pen” A delectable ‘Chocolate Bar’ at The Peninsula Chicago Executive Chef Terry Crandall and The Peninsula Pastry team are pleased to present “Chocolate at The Pen,” Chicago’s premier chocolate bar in The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago. “Chocolate at The Pen” takes place Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and promises sweet satisfaction for those looking for a little indulgence after dinner, or for those who are looking for that perfect accompaniment to “Jazz at the Pen” (jazz trios perform Friday and Saturday evenings from 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. in The Lobby). Due to the popularity of “Chocolate at The Pen,” reservations are recommended and are accepted for 9 p.m. and later. “Chocolate at the Pen” is $26.00 per person ($12 for children under 12), and includes unlimited coffee, cappuccino or espresso and a selection of petite chocolate delicacies. For just $35.00, guests can indulge in the full chocolate bar AND receive a delicious Chocolate Martini! The chocolate bar items vary weekly and include such items as: Opera Cake, Chocolate Moelleux Raspberry Compote, Chocolate Coffee Tart, Chocolate Tapioca, Chocolate Pecan Tart, Chocolate Tiramisu, Chocolate Pot de Crème, Chocolate Cake Feuilletine, Chocolate Tart Vanilla Sable Breton, Chocolate Mousse (dark and white chocolate served in martini glass), White Hot Chocolate infused with Lavender, and Dark Hot Chocolate infused with Allspice, Chocolate Dipped Strawberries, Chocolate Flan, Chocolate Crème Brulee, assorted Homemade Chocolate Cookies, Chocolate Truffles and more. The Lobby is located on the fifth floor of The Peninsula Chicago at 108 East Superior Street and offers all-day dining Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight. The Peninsula’s legendary afternoon tea is served from 3 to 5:30 p.m., accompanied by daily performances by a cellist–pianist duo. Dress code is smart casual. Reservations can be made directly with the hotel, The Peninsula Reservations Department at tel: (312) 337-2888, fax: (312) 751-2888 or e-mail: [email protected] or contact your travel professional. http://www.langhamhotels.com/langham.../chocolate.htm Spend Saturday afternoon indulging your sinful side at the Langham Boston's unique Chocolate Bar. Voted "Best Indulgence" by Boston Magazine, our Chocolate Bar is guaranteed to delight chocolate lovers the world over. It is a try-all-you like buffet that includes a wondrous assortment of light and dark chocolate mousses, cakes, tortes, éclairs, crepes, ice cream, cookies, pies, and more. A feature new to the Chocolate Bar this year is the addition of a special table of decadent desserts made with the diet conscious in mind. Each week six low-carb, no sugar desserts will be featured at our special table. Perfect for birthday parties, special events, or simply a great indulgence for yourself. Gift certificates available. Join us for our fall opening on Saturday, September 10, 2005 as we celebrate our 17th year with new chocolate delights for the eyes and the taste buds! The chocolate bar season runs every September through June. Adults: $26.00 Children 12 and under: $14 Children 4 and under: Free Saturdays: Seating from Noon - 3:00pm Prices are not valid on holidays or special events. Menu items are subject to change without notice. For reservations, please call the Cafe Fleuri at (617)451-1900 Ext., 7125 http://www.fullertonhotel.com/en/dining/courtyard.html The Courtyard features a rapturous Chocolate Buffet of luscious chocolate creations, including an unforgettable Chocolate Fountain, on Friday and Saturday evenings. For a blissful end to a hectic week, wind down with this array of comforting desserts and indulge the chocolate lover in you. Complement the chocolate delights with Michele Chiarlo Nivole, a sublime and delicate dessert wine. The Chocolate Buffet is available from 8.00pm to 11.00pm. |
Originally Posted by number_6
Nestle Noir in France (but only in France, the Noir sold in Switzerland is nowhere near as good). Wonderful chocolate and hard to believe that it is a mass market product, sold dirt cheap (10% of the price of Neuhaus or Godiva and very similar).
But quite possibly the finest chocolate I've ever put in my mouth was 85% dark found at Thierry Mulhaput's Epice et Chocolat boutique in SXB. I think there's an outlet in Paris as well.
Originally Posted by number_6
Now why can't Nestle sell Noir in the US? I suppose they don't think the market exists for fine chocolate for the masses. The closest in the US is Scharffen Berger which is OK (better than average) but not quite in the same league.
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Originally Posted by Robt760
I'm almost certain there's some out here on the West Coast too.
For a good dessert buffet (not necessarily all containing cocoa), I recommend a good, high-end, hotel brunch. Like this one: http://beverlyhills.peninsula.com/pb...derebrunch.pdf |
WOW-chocolate is popular with ft.
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Originally Posted by essxjay
Agreed. Scharffenberger, while a fine enough products, is horribly overpriced in the U.S. |
Originally Posted by letiole
Scharffen Berger is available at Trader Joe's for a steal.
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Valrhona is consistently terrific, but watch out for stores which do low volume, as their storage conditions may be sub-par (white blooms, dry texture, bad mouthfeel). Callebaut makes a nice dark bar, which can be hard to find. Michel Cluizel is nice. Fot those liking different tastes/flavors, try Dolfin (the saver pouch is a good touch). In Paris, I have always enjoyed Jean-Paul Hevin.
Truffles? The Woodhouse recommendation (St. Helena, Napa Valley) is spot on: they are wonderfully made and presented, and will show those who still think Godiva is chocolate know the real thing ;-) Teuscher champagne truffles and fresh Maison du Chocolat are way up there too. |
I believe I read in Time Out NY that this buffet was $75. They're no longer serving it (just called and found out they only did it in February), but I am curious to know what kind of champagne came with this pricey buffet...
http://www.chocolateatlas.com/Ritz-C...ate_Buffet.htm And this isn't a buffet, but does sound interesting... Chocolate Bar http://newyork.citysearch.com/profil...late_bar.html? |
Chocolate buffet in Washington D.C.!!!!
This Friday and next Friday!
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/wa...u_chocolat.asp "Chocolate Decadence" in The Lobby Lounge Every Friday Beginning February 3rd- March 31st Rate: $30.00 per person "Chocolate Decadence" in the Lobby Lounge Fridays 7:00pm - 10:00pm $30.00 per person (exclusive of tax & gratuity) Indulge in a sinful gourmet chocolate buffet! Chocolate Decadence, a chocoholic's dream come true, will run every Friday evening through March 31 in the Lobby Lounge, 7-10 p.m. For a mouth-watering taste of the decadence in store, consider cooking stations for individual chocolate-raspberry tart, milk chocolate-banana-passion fruit macaroon, chocolate napoleon, chocolate éclairs, triple chocolate cake, opera cake, Black Forest cake, and chocolate waffles served with a rum ice cream, for starters. |
Originally Posted by francophile
Indulge in a sinful gourmet chocolate buffet! Chocolate Decadence, a chocoholic's dream come true, will run every Friday evening through March 31 in the Lobby Lounge, 7-10 p.m.
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I don't think anyone has mentioned the Australian chain, Max Brenner. Actually I think it is based in Israel, but it has a substantial Australian presence. There is also one in Singapore. Max Brenner serves food, but the chocolate desserts and drinks are the main draw. They have dark and white hot chocolates. They also have a drink called the suckow (sp?) where you melt chocolate over a little burner and mix with milk. Delicious and unusual. They also have a wide variety of chocolate cakes, brownies, cookies, etc. I have not really seen a restaurant like this anywhere else. Located in David Jones Dept. store in Sydney, Manly Ferry Pier, Double Bay, and Singapore's Esplanade Performing Arts Complex (the big durian).
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Originally Posted by kingsroadgal
I don't think anyone has mentioned the Australian chain, Max Brenner. Actually I think it is based in Israel, but it has a substantial Australian presence. There is also one in Singapore. Max Brenner serves food, but the chocolate desserts and drinks are the main draw. They have dark and white hot chocolates. They also have a drink called the suckow (sp?) where you melt chocolate over a little burner and mix with milk. Delicious and unusual. They also have a wide variety of chocolate cakes, brownies, cookies, etc. I have not really seen a restaurant like this anywhere else. Located in David Jones Dept. store in Sydney, Manly Ferry Pier, Double Bay, and Singapore's Esplanade Performing Arts Complex (the big durian).
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Recommendation: HEDGEHOGS. ^ |
Gubor
My favorite brand of box chocolate has to be Gubor. It's a Swiss brand that I pick up whenever I go to Germany. EXCELLENT Truffles! Better than all the American specialty brands IMHO. It's been my experience that the DF shops in FRA have the best prices.
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Belgium:after trying about 20 places:
1-If you love pralines inside: a heaven. just like it used to be many years ago. 2-If you do not care for milk based non healthy pralines: outdated by over 20 years . Disappointment. As an example places like Mary's: outdated in every respect, but EXPENSIVE! |
My favorite brand is Ritter Sport. Especially the peppermint stuff they offer.
Considering the fact that they have a factory sell-out like 15 minutes from my place a always have some at home :) One of the most interesting tasting chocolates I recently had, was Lindt. A very dark chocolate (70% cocoa) filled with Mouse au Chocolat and a mixture of Cherry and Chilly. Sounded very strange to me, but turned into a delicious chocolate. Probably the best chocolate I had was some brand from Switzerland I cannot remember. |
Droste wins taste test!
In a taste test of eight brands, Droste Pastilles came out on top.
Have you noticed bigger numbers on chocolate bars in the baking aisle? We don't necessarily mean the price tags. Rather, more companies are selling bars with 70 to 72 percent chocolate. Where a bittersweet bar of a decade ago might have had 50 or 60 percent chocolate liquor (that's the official term), these bars are upping the ante, offering super-intense flavors that focus on more chocolate and less sugar. We tasted eight brands we used in a ganache (a rich filling/icing) that combined four ounces chopped chocolate with four ounces whipping cream. We wanted deep chocolate flavor with pleasantly bitter notes and some acidity. What surprised us were the diverse flavors these bars yielded: Some had berry notes, others spicy ones. All the brands earned above-average scores and most of our six tasters chose different winners. Droste from Holland won because it scored most consistently at the top; it is sold at Trader Joe's and Home Economist stores. Second place went to Trader Joe's private-label brand, which uses Belgian chocolate and which, at 23 cents per ounce, makes it a real bargain. The often-praised Scharffen Berger (California) and Valrhona (France) tied for third; they are available at many specialty stores and larger supermarkets. Here are the results, with prices for the winners as well as tasters' comments. Products are scored on a scale of 1 to 9, with 9 being highest. Prices are based on what we paid for them at the store and may reflect sales or discounts from frequent-shopper cards. - - - And the winners are . . . Droste Pastilles, 72% extra dark chocolate (7.1 points. 3.5 ounces, $3.39; 97 cents per ounce). "Quite balanced between rich and sweet." "Slightly sweet; mellow and mild." "A bit thin-tasting." Trader Joe's Pound Plus 72% dark chocolate (7 points. 17.6-ounce bar, $3.99; 23 cents per ounce). "Heavy-duty chocolate flavor." "Bitter coffee notes (that's good)." "Not great flavor." (tie) Scharffen Berger Bittersweet 70% Cacao (6.8 points. 9.7-ounce bar, $9.99; $1.03 per ounce). "A touch of fruitiness; rich with a nice bitterness." "Acidic and fruity with floral and vanilla after-taste." "Tastes burnt." Valrhona Le Noir Amer 71% cacao (6.8 points. 3.5-ounce bar, $5.79; $1.65 per ounce). "Bitter yet bracing; warm, comforting flavor." "Good sweet-bitter balance with a bit of sharpness." "Lacks flavor." Others tasted 4. (tie, 6.3 points) E. Guittard Bittersweet Chocolate 72% Cacao; Green & Black's Organic Dark Chocolate with 70% Cocoa Content. 5. (tie, 5.8 points) Ghirardelli Chocolate 70% Cocoa Extra Bittersweet Chocolate; Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa. http://www.chicagotribune.com/featur...,2543085.story |
Another chocolate buffet.....
http://www.vancouver.suttonplace.com...lic_Buffet.htm
For the Love of Chocolate . . . -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Sutton Place Hotel brings a sweet touch to its tradition of elegance with the unique Chocoholic Bar, the city's only all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet. Famous with local Vancouverites, the Chocoholic Buffet provides delectable offerings including an array of home made luscious cakes, pastries and pies, exquisite sorbets and ice creams, topped only by the Bar's own renowned Brittany crêpes, a house specialty made right before your eyes. Join The Sutton Place Hotel's Master Chocolatier and Pastry Chef Wolfgang Dauke for an evening of sinful delights. This chocolate-lover's dream come true, the Chocoholic Bar, is offered in two seatings, from 6:00pm to 8:30pm and 8:30 to 10:00pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Fleuri Restaurant, located on the lobby level of the Five Diamond rated Sutton Place Hotel. The buffet is $24.00 per adult / $12.00 per child 12 years and under (excluding coffee and tea). *Price are exclusive of taxes and gratuities For reservations, please call Fleuri Restaurant 604.642.2900 |
Originally Posted by lalala
For those who enjoy a good tablette --- le pain quotidien sells really good chocolate tablets and taller half is quite fond of them.
I have been living in NY for 3 years and I did not realize they opened so many of them in the City! |
[QUOTE=Canarsie][*] Unusual chocolate that you have eaten and where you have eaten it[*]
QUOTE] Safron milk chocolate, red chili chocolate, Black truffle chocolate, parmesan cheese chocolate at Cacao Sampaka in Barcelona. Except the red chili chocolate, I must admit I was not a fan, but it was worth trying those! I think it's owned by Ferran Adria's son |
[QUOTE=BBT in NY]
Originally Posted by Canarsie
[*] Unusual chocolate that you have eaten and where you have eaten it[*]
QUOTE] |
Chocolate Fix
I often have strong cravings for chocolate, and typically make molten chocolate cakes when home on the weekends. It's quick and easy, here's the recipe for 2 cakes: 3.5 ounces dk chocolate, 1 tbps butter, 2 tbps sugar, 1.5 tpsb flour, one egg, pinch salt, dash of vanilla. Just melt the chocolate in the microwave, cream the sugar and butter, then combine other non chocolate ingredients. Add in the chocolate, and then spoon into two ramkins. Place in the oven for 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Garnish with whip cream (could add berries, orange zest, etc). Very addictive.
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Oh, this thread is getting addictive. It is making me hungry. :o
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Good chocolate doesn't sell in the mass market
Trader Joe had some fabulous chocolate, which is now discontinued as it simply did not sell. Started out at circa $10 for 8 oz. box, price spiralled down to $6 and it is now discontinued. There simply isn't a mass market for high quality chocolate in the US (or most other countries for that matter). Rather ironic given the alternative price points (more than double, for lesser quality).
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Originally Posted by ILuvParis
In a taste test of eight brands, Droste Pastilles came out on top....Trader Joe's Pound Plus 72% dark chocolate (7 points. 17.6-ounce bar, $3.99; 23 cents per ounce). "Heavy-duty chocolate flavor." "Bitter coffee notes (that's good)." "Not great flavor."....
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God, I just ate two caffe tasse 77% tablets.
Swoon. lala |
Originally Posted by number_6
Rather ironically TJ private label used to be even better a few years ago, when they used a French chocolate. But that supplier couldn't keep up with their quantities, and Belgian is a better brand in the US than French, so they switched to an inferior chocolate -- but still excellent and great value compared to the alternatives. Proving that quality and price are loosely coupled when it comes to chocolate. For whatever reason, TJ has excellent chocolates in general (their buyer must really like chocolate).
Speaking of Belgian, Marcolini seems to be falling off the wagon. We found on our trip there a couple of weeks ago that his praliné was tasting burned and/or just not fresh. Wittamer (on the Sablon as well) and Elisabeth (on Boterstraat just off the Grand Place) beat Marcolini on almost every "contest" we had - caramels, pralinés, cinnamon/cannelle... But Marcolini still does the best champagne truffle amonth the Belgian chocolatiers I've had, and they do have an interesting piece with "tonka bean." (Found these bits of info on tonka beans: http://www.tropilab.com/dipter-odo.html and http://www.vitamins-minerals-supplem...tonka-bean.htm ) |
Originally Posted by LGA
Uh, Belgian is a better brand just about anywhere than French.
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My dealer friend in Strassbourg just sent me a couple of bars 86% cacao that has vaulted to the top of my list for eating chocolate: Poulain Depuis 1848 Noir.
God help me ... |
My favorite hot chocolate is from Schakolad, a chocolate shop in Plano, TX. They mix hot milk with the warm chocolate they are using for chocolate molds/novelty gifts. You can get it with dark or milk chocolate. The owner told me that each type of chocolate needs to be at a different temperature to keep it flowing. Schakolad is a franchise...don't know if they make the hot chocolate in all locations.
I discovered this place because it was listed as an IDINE location and I could get FF miles as well. :) |
I'm here in Santa Monica staying with a friend. As we were driving around the area, I saw a Leonidas store!!!! My friend told me they are serve hot chocolate!!!! I'm going there today to try it out. I hope it taste like the hot chocolate at Angelina's in Paris.
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Originally Posted by francophile
I'm here in Santa Monica staying with a friend. As we were driving around the area, I saw a Leonidas store!!!! My friend told me they are serve hot chocolate!!!! I'm going there today to try it out. I hope it taste like the hot chocolate at Angelina's in Paris.
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Originally Posted by Travelin Dreams
Oh, this thread is getting addictive. It is making me hungry. :o
I just got some chocolate from the kitchen because I had to have some after all this chocolate talk! my favorite type of chocolate is Key Lime flavored which I usually get while on vacation in the florida. The brand I have now is Whelstone. It is decent. |
Originally Posted by obscure2k
francophile, as you are staying in Santa Monica, give City Bakery a try. It's at 26th and San Vicente. I hear that their hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows is outstanding. They are open on Sundays and open at 7:00 AM during the week for breakfast. You might also want to try their melted chocolate chip cookie :)
I went to Leonidas. The hot chocolate was outstanding. Not as good as Angelina's on Rue Rivoli, but still very, very good. I had lunch at Le Pain Quotidien. Service was very good. As it was noon, the croissant was a bit limp which means it was not fresh. The waffle (gaufre liegeois) was great; comme en Belgique! |
Originally Posted by francophile
Thanks for the suggestion. THe cookie sounds great!
I went to Leonidas. The hot chocolate was outstanding. Not as good as Angelina's on Rue Rivoli, but still very, very good. I had lunch at Le Pain Quotidien. Service was very good. As it was noon, the croissant was a bit limp which means it was not fresh. The waffle (gaufre liegeois) was great; comme en Belgique! Do try the City Bakery. Don't order real food. Just stick to the pastries and cookies. Many love the "pretzel croissant". I do not. If you have the time, go to the Brentwood Country Mart(where City Bakery is located) on a weekday and get a chicken basket from Reddi-Chick. :) There is a nice little candy store next to the chicken place called Edelweiss Not bad for Los Angeles. |
This surprised and amazed us:
Von Geusau in South Africa in Greyton, Western Cape in the wine country. The most artisan creative you seen. For example the 70% dark chocolate with cabernet sauvignon with wine plus rock sea salt. The most amazing flavor you ever tasted or tresured, especially if you like wine. Some of his, and wife Terry's creations are being designed in consultation with the Waterford Winery near Stellenbosch, where they also sell it. vgchocolate.co.za INDIVIDUAL CHOCOLATES Truffles Hazelnut Almond Whisky/Vanilla/Cinnamon Pistachio Brandy Champagne Rose Geranium Cardamom Crème Brulee Moulded / Filled Amarula Cream English Toffee Cream Mocha Mint Whisky/Vanilla/Cinnamon Rose Geranium Hazelnut Lavender van der Hum Café Latte Hazelnut praline Cointreau/Orange Peel Dipped / Enrobed: Preserved Ginger Orange Peel Strips Marzipan (Above truffle range can also be enrobed) Plain Chocolates : Dark / Milk / White Chocolates in various shapes Different Concepts Frangelico & Hazelnut bouché Amaretto & Almond bouché Cointreau, Orange peel & Pecan bouché Maraschino Cherry Wedge Slabs (50g & 110g) Exotics Chilli(D) Cardamom(D & W) Masala Chai(D & W) Earl Grey(D) Rock Salt(D) Café Latte(W) Cappuccino(M) Crème Brulee(W) Espresso(D) Star Anise Essential Oils Lavender(M) Rose Geranium(M) Lemon & Vanilla(M) Cinnamon&Orange(D) Lime(D) Lemon Grass(D) Plain Dark and Dark(70%) Milk White Organic:Dark(70%) Milk White We are constantly exploring new products and trends and also undertake special orders, gift boxes and corporate logos in moulded chocolates. Goods are made to order and minimum |
Originally Posted by best
This surprised and amazed us:
Von Geusau in South Africa in Greyton, Western Cape in the wine country. The most artisan creative you seen. For example the 70% dark chocolate with cabernet sauvignon with wine plus rock sea salt. The most amazing flavor you ever tasted or tresured, especially if you like wine. Some of his, and wife Terry's creations are being designed in consultation with the Waterford Winery near Stellenbosch, where they also sell it. vgchocolate.co.za |
In Cape Town there is an excellent restaurant: One.Waterfront in Cape Grace Hotel: they serve a dessert which couples and matches three different wines with three different chocolates of VG.
R45. We ordered one and each got the wines-it was neat and ample.
Originally Posted by letiole
Their website certainly left my mouth watering. I will have to stop by Waterford Wine Estate to try their chocolates when I'm there later this summer. It looks like they have daily wine and chocolate tastings - my kinda place. Thanks for the info.
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Well, this is one thread i can't believe i missed out on for this long.. :D
My favorite childhood chocolate experience: Growing up in rural SD on a farm is VERY cold in the winter...(think -30 below, + windchill = -50 below or more!! seriously!). Not to mention while living in a 100+ year-old farmhouse with only a wood-burning stove for heat. (not lying, and I am only 25 years old...!) SOOO.... a favorite trick of my mom's to get some peace and quiet time from 5 kids was to tell us to go outside and play in the snow while she made us hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls. To this day, I have never had better hot chocolate than hers... cooked in a pan on the stove with condensed milk, chocolate powder, sugar, and topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, plus flaky biscuit cinnamon rolls... mmmmmm!!!! One of the best recent chocolate experiences I had was when my boss brought some leftover cake to work for us, and after i tried it i had to find out where it was from!! It melted right in my mouth like fudge!! I found out it was from Marigold's Cafe & Bakery in Colorado Springs, and it was the best, beautiful to look at and even better to eat: a dark chocolate double-layer cake with fluffy chocolate cream in the center, like whipped cream, and was coated in a thin velvety milk chocolate shell, topped with the same melt-in-your-mouth chocolate shavings!!! Definitely super, but i could only eat a small piece as it was pretty rich. The best cake I have ever had, by far! Also, I have found -only at Safeway, so far- some really excellent dark chocolate hot cocoa mix, the brand escapes me at the moment, however! And BTW, I don't know if anyone else has had this experience, but I've discovered that I've become a bit of a "chocolate snob" after trying so many different kinds... I no longer even look at Hershey's kisses or M&M's (unless desperate :D ) !! i guess it's like, why waste my time (and the calories) on anything less than divine chocolate! |
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