Hello Daringdoo - drop by Tim Hortons right now and they've got some amazing Chocolate creations for a limited time only.

Actually, they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays and all of August. You know you have good ice cream when you can be closed all of AUGUST and stay in business. I would think for most places in the northen hemisphere August has to be the biggest month for ice cream sales.

I'm heading up there today - I'll see if I can convince my hosts to stop in!
Thanks for the suggestion

DD

While I'd say that most of the best chocolate in the world is boutique, from little shops that don't do much more than make it and sell it themselves, I'd have to say that the Belgian Galler chocolate is my personal thought on the best widely available chocolate worldwide.

I don't know where you're located, but I do a chocolate run once or twice a year. Maybe we can take turns bringing each other stashes of the assortments! As I'm sure you know but others may not, the langues de chat and the chocolate bars can be mail-ordered from companies in the U.S., and I've even seen the langues de chat at Trader Joe's a few times.

I'm now LHR based, so it's much easier to get it than when I was stateside
However, they are starting to allow the bars and such to be imported to the US, even though you still can't get the individual chocolates there (as the Belgians feel, probably rightly, that most Americans don't understand fine chocolate).

If they think Americans don't understand fine chocolate - what must they think of the Brits and Swiss (Cadbury and Nestle's)? Is there even any chocolate left in their products? I'll take a Hershey Bar any time over that junk!

I'm jealous!

And it is certainly the case that most Americans don't "get" fine chocolate, so I continue to teach - share pralin�s with coworkers, friends, flight attendants, gate agents. And of course if they're later caught with a Snickers, they're cut off.

In their March 2006 issue, Saveur magazine made the follow comments/suggestions:

The Saveur 10 best chocolate producers in the US (in no particular order) with their home State and phone #

Candina's - WI - 800.845.1554

Chocolate Springs - MA - 413.637.9820

John & Kira's - PA - 800.747.4808

Mariebelle - NY - 866.925.8800

Norman Love Chocolates - FL - 239.561.7215

Poco Dolce - CA - 415.255.1443

Recchiuti - CA - 800.500.3396

Sans Souci - NY - 631.331.4208

Valerie Confections - CA - 888.706.1408

Woodhouse - CA - 800.966.3468

--

^ I love chocolate.. mmm mmm mmm it is so good. I love white and normal chocolate but my absolute favorite is dark chocolate.. i've tried different brands but have not found my absolute favorite yet... I'm open for suggestions! Thank you! ^

UPDATED 3/11/06



Still on the lookout for hotels/restaurants that feature a chocolate buffet (every item is chocolate as you would see in Charlie and the Chocolate facotry but more realistic)

Best Chocolate in Paris...the Artist district...on East side of square...hugeeeeeeeeeee chocolate mousse ....unforgetable.

James Chocolate, Somerset, England: especially: dark chocolate with Rose.

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 Cr�me, 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 Cr�me 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, �clairs, 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.

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.