...apparently, it is now increasingly difficult to ship chocolate to the United States from other countries unless prior approval has been granted.

So my 6 friends and I were at the Pen for the chocolate buffet. Quite impressive. They buffet is on a nice size table (some of us had something like Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory with the Chocolate River in mind) full of dozens of different versions of chocolate, cakes, mousse, chocolate chip cookies, fancy puddings, hot chocolate, hot white chocolate (amazing), bark, chocolate pieces, etc. This was all set in their beautiful Lobby with a jazz group sing and playing. Quite a nice evening. You can order food there as well, they had sushi and nice pan-world selection of food, though we ate elsewhere in the late afternoon. Eat light though, cuz the buffet is very filling. Would I do it again? Yes, but not very often. The only grip was that the service was substandard. Took them a while to take back empty plates, hard to get the check and just not what I expect out of a lux hotel.

FYI, It sounds like their afternoon tea there is also worth checking out. Make sure you make researvations for both.

Enjoy!

True, it is now harder.

Just to clarify, there is no wait for Prior Notice Confirmation. Approval is automatically and immediately granted with proper application on the FDA website via a .pdf file that can be printed out or via a fax sent immediately to a number you provide. It is a cumbersome process to complete on the web, but it more a registration than an application process.

Also, it applies to all, not just U.S. citizens. It also applies only to shipped items. Hand carried or sent in your checked luggage is fine.

It seems to me to be a silly process since it is a part of a purported defense against biological terrorism and I do not see how it effectively adds any protection at all.

Best wishes,

Teacher49

Amsterdam also has some amazing hot chocolate that you sweeten yourself. It was so rich and heavenly that we couldn't even finish one cup. Can't seem to duplicate their recipe though.

Had a great chocolate dessert in Paris called "Pyramid of Chocolate" in a now defunct restaurant that specialized in the cuisine of Provence.

I hiked with Marcel Desaulniers, the chef who created this dessert, at Canyon Ranch in Tucson a few years back. He's very fit...and he doesn't fly! He drove all the way from Williamsburg to Tucson, eating M&M's the whole way.
http://makeashorterlink.com/?L27125519

And I share your taste for something lemon after a big meal

But if I want dark chocolate (is there really any other kind?), I go for Valrhona or Scharffenberger. Scharffenberger has these wonderful candied ginger things dipped in dark chocolate---two of my favorite tastes!

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

I was there for tea recently and watched them set up for the chocolate buffet... wow. Beautiful!

Our tea was nice but the service was surprisingly horrible. We won't be back for tea there.

Best,
Shannon

I second that...I need chocolate in my life....

If you're in San Diego, I recommend "Extraordinary desserts" off Adams Ave in Hillcrest, near Balboa Park. It's a specialty store with $8/slice cakes of all kinds, and it's worth it. The chocolate ones are magnificent- even on a Sunday night, the line is often at least a half hour and onto the street. And count on an hour at least on weekend nights. But it's worth the wait.

Trader Joe's now carries packs of three dark chocolate bars for $1.19 that are rather decent, particularly for the price. (There are varieties other than dark, but I didn't pay attention to them!)

I might do a chocolate run to BRU in the next few months if a good UA special comes up. Fellow DC (or NYC) area foodies: Perhaps we can plan a big chocolate tasting?

I'd be happy to front you some $$$ for a few kilos of Leonedias(sp).

Just say when.

Best we have found in many excursions anywhere so far would have to be Dumon in Bruges (Brugge), Belgium. Unfortunately, and to my deep regret, there appears to be no way to order it over the web anywhere I have found.

Another great Belgian Chocolatier is Corne Port-Royal.

I second the recommendation of Maison du Chocolat in Paris as well. Staying in a hotel nearby for a week, we stopped in almost every day for a few chocolates, and it was a great memory of our trip.

Okay, now I really have a craving.

Djlawman

I guess I'm the only one who has been left smitten with that fine Australian chocolate known as a "Tim-Tam"...I wish they were readily available in America...its been awhile but never before have I been so smitten with a food (this coming from a very picky eater)...pure chocolate heaven!

N674UW

Best of the Best Chocolate:

Milk Chocolate Bar- Scharffenberger Milk Chocolate (Trader Joe's has it)
Ice Cream - Dr Bob's Scharffenberger Works (Only on West Coast I think)
Cake - Just Desserts Chocolate Cake (Bay Area and some Whole Foods)
Cocoa/Drinking - Schokinag Extra Dark Chocolate (Go To Website)
Pan Chocolat - Bakers of Paris (Bay Area)

Indeed. I had a serious addiction to Ritter Sport for quite a while. Now that it is available in the States, I try to look away, but every once in awhile I get a bar of the bitter chocolate and break off a square and let it melt in my mouth. Mmmmmmmmm.