Chocolate!
 

After I dine, nothing satisfies me like a little bit of chocolate to top off a great meal.

While I am not a chocoholic, I do love chocolate. I cannot believe that the DiningBuzz! forum has no thread dedicated to chocolate!

The purpose of this thread is to give those hopeless chocoholics out there in FlyerTalk land an informative reference guide as to where to find the most delicious and interesting chocolate treats in the world by choosing from one or more of the following choices (but not limited to these choices!) with which to relate that decadent chocolate experience:

• Submit where the best chocolate in the world can be found
• Relate your most memorable experience with chocolate (remember, FlyerTalk members younger than the age of 18 years do read this forum!)
• What is your favourite brand of chocolate?
• Unusual chocolate that you have eaten and where you have eaten it
• Which restaurants serve the best chocolate dessert, such as mousse, cake, pudding or ice cream?

Some of the best chocolate in the world that I have ever eaten was in Switzerland and Belgium, although it is difficult for me to decide which country produces the best chocolate.

In New Zealand, kiwi fruit covered in milk chocolate made for a memorable yet unique taste experience.

In general, I enjoy chocolate mint and chocolate-covered fruit such as cherries, strawberries, raspberries and even orange peel!

That is all that comes to my mind right now, but I intend to add more later as memory serves me — hopefully, with some chocolate!

Great topic!

My most memorable chocolate experience involved a seven-course feast that featured chocolate in every course. Only the dessert course was sweet. I wish I'd saved the menu but I do remember chocolate champagne, chocolate ravioli and chocolate served with egg in an egg cup. It was wonderful. This was a special event offered only for a night at a restaurant in San Francisco about 15 years ago. I've never heard of it being offered anywhere since, but if someone does hear of something similar I'd love to know about it.

The very best hot chocolate is in Spain - so incredibly thick. I also love Vosges' Aztec Hot Chocolate. Boulder Ice Cream company's Mexican Chocolate ice cream is awesome.

I usually find chocolate too heavy a dessert to eat after a nice meal, and often end up with something lemon instead.

That said, I ordered the Death by Chocolate at The Trellis in Williamsburg VA a few weeks ago. If you are a chocoholic, that is a must! Two layers of dense chocolate torte with a cocoa meurange in between, covered with a ganache and topped with a chocolate mousse, sitting in a chocolate and liquor sauce. Easily shared by two people!

My favorite chocolate is Neuhaus, from Belgium.

It's worth a MR to BRU just to stock up on it at the duty free :)

I'm another Neuhaus fan.

Here are some other really great places to stop for hot chocolate in New York:

MarieBelle
484 Broome St.
They make beautiful truffles too and have a nice little beverage tasting room in the back.

Lunettes et Chocolate (thanks to Dianne47 for the recommendation)
25 Prince
A funny little place that's in the back of an optician's shop. No ambiance, but great rich, thick hot chocolate though.

Serendipity 3's frozen hot chocolate - OK, so it's really a wonderfully rich milkshake - is really quite good. The place is packed with tourists, but usually the wait is about half what they say it is because many people never return.

If I ever get off hot chocolates, I'll move into my favortie souffles.

My favorite kind of chocolate is the very very pure chocolate - usually on the wrapper it says something like 80 percent cocoa. It's too bitter for many but i love the taste and the fact that it doesn't have all the fake ingredients like many other "chocolate" bars, i.e. Hersheys. It's also good as shaved chocolate on top of ice cream - yum!

I've got a bar of 85% on my desk today I've been sharing with some co-workers forgetting to mention it's 85%. Few people love it (I love it) most make the most incredible faces thinking it's milk chocolate or something.

Lindt had them on sale in the outlet last weekend, two for $5 if anybody is near one. It's rare to see bars of it meant for eating.

Thank you for the link, Rudi — I appreciate it.

However, I wanted this discussion to expand beyond chocolates to also include chocolate-flavoured items such as cookies, cake, gelato, ice cream, garlic (yes, garlic chocolate, which I had in Gilroy, California — more on that on request!), beverages and, of course, candy!

It was nearly 25 years ago but I still remember the "to die for" mocha cake at "The Shed" in Santa Fe, N.M.

A Google-search indicates that it is still served and still highly touted.

My wife still remembers it as well. She does not like strong/rich/dark chocolate so I pulled a bit of a prank and said "Mmm, this cake is good, try a bite..." It was so strong it almost gave her whiplash!

Gosh...I may have to go back...I'm making myself hungry!

There is one place in Atlanta that has fabulous chocolate dessert: La Brasserie Le Coze in the Lennox Mall in Buckhead. A dream.

If in Switzerland, try in Lucerne, the Café Heini. There are two or three in the city. They serve one of the best Kirsch Cream Torte, not to compare with the Zuger Kirschtorte. The Cream Torte is extremely light, fluffy, and sprinkled with white chocolate shavings. To die for.

For people who like it really sweet, they serve a white hot chocolate, completely different from the normal hot chocolate.

For pure white chocolate, try the Sprüngli shops in Zürich. Their white truffles are a dream.

Lindt, inside of the Lennox Mall in Atlanta have an excellent choice of truffles, white and brown.

Because of that thread I am hungry again.
Till soon.

I'm also not considered a chocoholics, but I do love great chocolate once in a while. My fav (in ascending order) are -
Neuhaus (dark chocolate bar)
MarieBelle (dark choco drink)
le maison de chocolate (truffle)
Jacque Torres - http://www.mrchocolate.com

Hmmmm.

Mmmm, the best chocolate dessert in a chain restaurant is the California Pizza Kitchen's chocolate flourless torte. It's a rich fudgy cake that is incredibly smooth. They drizzle warm chocolate sauce over the top and serve on a plate with vanilla bean cream.

I plan to stay at the Mirage on my next trip to Vegas just so that I can have the chocolate torte once or twice a day at the CPK!

Surprised no one has mentioned Angelina's in Paris where the hot chocolate is like drinking a melted world-class chocolate bar. So rich that some cannot finish it - but that just leaves more for me.
We once did a blind taste testing of Swiss, French, Belgian chocolates, and the Belgian were the clear winners in our sample. Still, La Maison du Chocolat is hard to beat. And for value, Leonidas is in the running.

Neuhaus is outstanding. Very expensive though.

Godvia here in the U.S. is medicore. Godiva in Belgium is very good.

La Maison du Chocolat is also excellent, though too expensive for me if I bought it in New York. Only in Paris can I afford it.

Leonidas is all around the best value. Here in Chicago it's only $24/pound ($53/kilo).

Valrhona is the best straight chocolate. When I say "straight" chocolate, I mean not "pralines," what the Europeans refer to as pieces of filled chocolates.

Best chocolate dessert I've had: warm Valrhona chocolate cake at Jean-Georges.

If any of you are here in Chicago on a Friday or Saturday evening, you should consider going to the chocolate buffet at the Peninsula Hotel. It was a wonderful indulgence. The macarons, though not as good as Fauchon or Laduree, were still very good. It's $19.50. Yes, it's expensive but it does include unlimited coffee, including espresso and cappuccino:

Indulge In "Chocolate At The Pen" At The Lobby In
The Peninsula Chicago

Executive Chef Terry Crandall and Executive Pastry Chef Michael Gillet are pleased to announce "Chocolate at the Pen" the launch of Chicago's premier chocolate bar in The Lobby at The Peninsula Chicago (108 E. Superior Street). "Chocolate at the Pen" takes place Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight, and promises sweet satisfaction for those looking for a little indulgence after dinner, or who are looking for that perfect accompaniment to "Jazz at the Pen" (jazz trios perform weekly in The Lobby). Decadent chocolate delights are presented at a designated area in the room, highlighted by a magnificent chocolate centerpiece created by Chef Gillet.

"Chocolate at the Pen" is $19.50 per person, and includes unlimited coffee, cappuccino or espresso and a selection of petite chocolate delicacies. Choices include Opera Cake, Chocolate Moelleux Raspberry Compote, Brownie Key Lime Cream, Chocolate Coffee Tart, Chocolate Tapioca, Chocolate Pecan Tart, Chocolate Tiramisu, Chocolate Pot de Crème 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.

Guests can dine in five different venues at The Peninsula: Avenues, Shanghai Terrace, The Lobby, The Bar and Pierrot Gourmet.

To learn more about The Peninsula Chicago or to make a reservation, please call (866) 288-8889 or (312) 337-2888. Reservations can also be made online at www.peninsula.com.

Old Swiss House, Lucerne, Switzerland
 

Right near the Lion Monument has phenomenal chocolate mousse that is served from a gigantic bowl, so you can keep it coming!! We love it.

We loved the hot chocolate from room service at the W Times Square- I think it may be Valrhona. Yummmmmm....

Since we live near Berkeley, we like to take other chocoholics to the Scharffen Berger factory. It's great to learn about and even better to taste that delicious chocolate! http://www.scharffenberger.com/

The dark chocolate macaroons at Laduree in Paris were dinner for 2 nights of our last trip. :)

I also vote for anything from La Maison Du Chocolates-BUT you must order from them directly and pay for next day air,or it is not worth the expense.
Is it really cheaper in Paris?By how much?
I only buy 1 1/2 lbs at Christmas-it is VERY expensive but Robert Linxe is a master.

From their web site, it looks like it's €77/kilo in Paris and it's US$131/kilo in New York.

http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/

I'll be in Paris next week for Roland Garros. I can't wait to go to their store to pig out. I have only had the opportunity to try their chocolates. I know they have pastries as I'm sure they are also delicious.

BTW, in France I have seen both La Maison du Chocolat and Valrhona in chocolate milk form.

The little hot chocolate counter at the back of Maison du
Chocolat - the cup of Caracas was probably the best
pick-me-up possible after accompanying a young lady
on an exhausting round of shopping. But my favorite
chocolates are Teuscher and Puyricard (retail store on
Boulevard Rapp in the 7e).

oh lucky you, Lindt on sale! I've actually seen them in a few stores and always buy them when I do. I just tried a new kind from Trader Joe's this past weekend, can't remember the name but it was really good. The higher the percentage the better :)

My boyfriend's mother will actually buy the entire box (in bulk) when she finds a store that sells it! When I go over there I usually am lucky enough to walk out of there with a bar or two!

I can't remember if it's the Terra Nostra or the Unique Origins, but Trader Joe's sells one of them for 1/8 the price that Vosges sells it for. I think it's the Unique Origins - it has the higher count.

Cholocate - clearly an important topic...
 

It's the wrong season now, but in wintertime a great few days in NYC can be enjoyed checking out the city's best hot chocolate offerings. I based my last chocolate run (frigid week last January full of snow and perfect hot choc weather) on the article in New York Magazine (and www.nymetro.com):

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/...696/index.html

(Perform a search for "chocolate" on the homepage of this site and get 845 references! Yeah!)

My personal faves from this article were (in order of chocolate enjoyment):

City Bakery at 3 W. 18th St. with a big VAT of hot chocolate in the center of the restaurant, stirred by a kind of robotic arm. Highlight: fab, homemade, huge, square marshmallows which cost a little extra and are so worth it. What the heck, have a pastry to go along with the beverage.

Lunettes Et Chocolate at 25 Prince St. (mentioned by Letiole above) with a complex hot chocolate menu requiring consultation with the preparer/server who customizes your cuppa to your personal chocolate preference. All right! Sit on one of the two stools and enjoy the comings and goings of the regular customers coming in for their tins of hot chocolate mix. And yes, half the shop is devoted to designer sunglasses.

Payard Bistro at 1032 Lex, near 73rd, where we had pre-theatre dinner and I forgot to order hot chocolate (slap myself), so oops, no report.

Great find while stumbling around Soho the morning after a huge snowfall: Chocolate Garden at 80 Thompson St. where the proprietor makes the heavenly chocolates by hand and is generous with samples to help you decide. She makes different recipes each day, so call ahead to be sure she's concocting the superlative Creme Brulee Truffles on the day of your visit. Mmm...

A couple of friends and I have been talking about Chocolate at the Pen since we heard about it (one of them works at the Pen). If anyone is up for this on a Friday or Saturday night, I'd be interested in going!

I'll never forget my first trip to Paris...hadn't eaten all day after spending the day on my feet wandering the city, and stopped for a crepe at a cart outside the Galleries Lafayette....chocolate hazlenut & fresh banana as the fillings....mmmmmmmmmmm....

Otherwise my favorite chocolates come from Mary, smaller independent in BRU.

The Godiva in Europe is made in Belgium and is worlds better than the American stuff. Try some in duty-free and you won't regret it!

For more moderate prices, try Green and Black organic chocolate in England. It is available in supermarkets and the praline flavor is fabulous. I really don't enjoy eating chocolate bars that much, but this stuff is a definite exception!!

we need to talk, I would like to try it as well.

A client used to rave about:
Belgian Chocolatier Piron
509 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
Phone: 847/864-5504
Fax: 847/864-5573
The owner of Piron's went to Belgium and studied chocolate-making with one of the country's leading chocolatiers, and makes it right there in a little back room at the shop. After trying it, I can see why, incredible stuff.

Most chocolate I've been having lately is in various Mexican Mole sauces (including my own). a good mole is heaven. :)

chocolate as art?
 

The FT Weekend has a picture of the ultimate chocolate: at the new Barbican Art Gallery, a BritArt exhibit titled 'Cacao" - a hot, bubbling fountain of 1 ton of melted chocolate. Clearly, the artist saw Willie Wonka one too many times.

Another Chocolate Bar
 

There's also a chocolate brunch at the former Le Meridian in Boston (now the Langham) on Saturday afternoons. Tons of choices, including chocolate crepes! Made a good impression on the gf. ^

http://www.langhamhotels.com/langham...ining/cafe.htm

They have factory outlet stores all over the place, there are at least three or four in easy driving distance (what we would consider normal outlet shopping distance) from me.

Nothing devine and special, but if you are gonna lay down $5.99 for a dark chocolate easter bunny may as well get one at the outlet after easter for seventy five cents.

It's a great way to buy chocolate for bulk for decorating and the rest, though it's sad to see the bunnies melting. :)

Paris --

christian constant -- mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
hot chocolate and verveine chocs

debeauve and gallais -- great ballotins

richart -- over rated, but some interesting fruit flavors, cute gift boxes

la maison du chocolat -- good rochers, tablettes, eclairs

gerard mulot --- rochers/mendiants/bars and ballotins

Belgium --

Pierre Marcolini -- hit of miss, great mendiants

ditto for wittamer

neuhaus -- okay, not great, good for airport buying.

london --

roccoco -- overrated, but okay

edinburgh-- bought chocolate somewhere on the royal mile, delicious so I heard, but I waited too long and mine were the fresh cream ones, euuw. Must be eaten in a week.

seattle --

fran's -- overrated, but great lattes and ice cream sandwiches, they give samples (misdips) with each latte purchase -- 2.19 for a single tall and a truffle, great value

that is all I can think of at the moment.

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). 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.

I personally love Neuhaus along with Sprungli. Leonidas is another good choice and a bit more affordable. While in NY, I always make a pilgrimage to Fauchon.

Great topic, Canarsie
 

FT threads about chocolate are always welcome. :)

I second Angelina's in Paris for hot chocolate. Absolutely heavenly, even if you're not a hot chocolate fan. A cute place too, even if you're not a gilt and brocade fan.

I'm sitting here now with a little wooden chest of Scharffen Berger 5 gram squares, from 82% to 41% cacao. The 82% is not really bitter (just had anoather one to make sure) as are the baking chocolates and other economy dark chocolates like Trader Joe's (although Trader's carries some Valrhona.)

If you are near a Whole Foods and want to try some decent white chocolate, look for the El Rey bars. Good Venezuelan stuff.

7th ANNUAL CHOCOLATE SHOW --
NOVEMBER 11th to 14th, 2004 - NEW YORK

Friends don't let friends eat chocolate pasta, IMHO.

The New York Chocolate Shows have gotten incredibly crowded, so if you go, get there early, and don't be shocked if the line is quite long.

Great place to taste all the things you can't afford though.

My husband is a serious Cholophile. He seeks chocolate with as much zeal as he seeks good cigars. His newest favorite is [b]http://www.germandeli.com/rispwhalmich.html[b]

Ritter Sport is just fantastic. Look for these tasty candy bars in your local supermarket. My discerning spouse would prefer a [b]Ritter Sport/b] candy bar than the fanciest Paris chocolates. Although, I have to admit that he is partial to the Tartuffo Chocolate ice cream in the Piazza Navona in Rome.

Chocolate at the Pen in Chicago -- I'm in!!!
 

Please post in Community or PM when y'all are having the "Chocolate at the Pen" Do in Chicago!!! If I can find a reasonable airfare to ORD, I'll come for that!

I second the recommendations of:

MarieBelle on Broome St. in NYC, which I simply stumbled on while wandering about. You can get a free sample of thick, delicious hot chocolate in the tasting room at MarieBelle. I purchased the mix based on the tasting. Be sure to read the labels carefully when you buy. Some of the hot chocolate mixes contain hot peppers, which is an interesting addition (and historically, I believe the Aztecs mixed hot peppers in their chocolate brew), but may not be for everyone. Of course, they also have a website: http://mariebelle.com/index2.html

Valrhona chocolates. These can be found sometimes at Trader Joe's, but I've mainly purchased on the web at www.chocolatesource.com . Go there through the shopping portal at www.ebates.com , and you will get a 7% rebate; or you can access it through www.goldpoints.com if you're into that. I wouldn't be surprised to find it on other miles/points-earning portals as well.

I love Fran's chocolate from Seattle. My husband orders it every year to give out to special friends as Christmas gifts. Of course he always orders orders extra to keep on hand to share with company here at home. Over the years we've tried quite a variety of different kinds, and never found one we didn't like. My vote goes to Fran's

From the Food TV show Roker on the Road Yesterday - an epsiode on Chocolate - A restaurant in New York that uses Chocolate for every course - using cocoa as a spice, etc

http://sqcnyc.com/movie.html


Though the menu doesn't reflect all 10 courses or whatever the show was showing.

It will definitely be posted in Community whenever we can decide on a weekend for a Mini Chicago Chocolate Do. Looks like it may not happen until September. Likely will be on a Friday night.

Morton's warm Godiva cake with the molten center..mmm..one of the few chocolate desserts I have been unable to finish because it is so rich

Chicago Chocolate Mini-Do!
 

October 15, 2004 -- Details in specific thread on Community Forum! (emphasis added below is mine)