Chocolate!
May 21, 2004 | 9:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,436
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:
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!
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?
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!
May 21, 2004 | 10:17 am
#2
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,927
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.
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.
May 21, 2004 | 10:22 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Diamond, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,452
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!
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!
May 21, 2004 | 12:14 pm
#5
Senior Moderator; Moderator, Flyertalk Cares
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Fulltime travel/mostly Europe
Programs: UA 1.7 MM;; Accor & Marriott Pt; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 17,927
My favorite chocolate is Neuhaus, from Belgium.
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.
May 21, 2004 | 1:59 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 7
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!
May 21, 2004 | 2:53 pm
#7
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CH-3823 Wengen Switzerland
Programs: miles&more, MileagePlus
Posts: 27,043
May 21, 2004 | 3:15 pm
#8
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
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.
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.
May 21, 2004 | 4:34 pm
#9
Original Poster
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 25,436
Originally Posted by Rudi
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!
May 22, 2004 | 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Roanoke, VA
Programs: DL Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,455
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!
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!
May 22, 2004 | 10:03 am
#11
In Memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Switzerland/Atlanta,GA
Programs: Executive Club Gold/Frequence Plus Red
Posts: 1,756
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 Caf 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 Sprngli shops in Zrich. 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.
If in Switzerland, try in Lucerne, the Caf 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 Sprngli shops in Zrich. 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.
May 22, 2004 | 11:51 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: Marriott PL, AA GL, IHG PL, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,595
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.
Neuhaus (dark chocolate bar)
MarieBelle (dark choco drink)
le maison de chocolate (truffle)
Jacque Torres - http://www.mrchocolate.com
Hmmmm.
May 22, 2004 | 3:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 1,017
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!
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!
May 23, 2004 | 6:29 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: san diego, ca
Programs: AA 2MM
Posts: 913
Originally Posted by letiole
Great topic!
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.
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.
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.
May 23, 2004 | 9:20 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA 3 MM, IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,590
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 Crme 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 cellistpianist 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.
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 Crme 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 cellistpianist 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.