madame chocolat: beverly hills

louis xiv, the sun king wanted to "impress europe and the whole world with the splendor and brilliance of french culture." he transformed a hunting lodge at versailles into an elaborate palace and encouraged the blossoming of arts, sciences, and the "new invention" of classic french cuisine.

a few times a week (as long as you were decently dressed and checked your sword at the gate) you could come to versailles, walk the grounds, view glorious works of art, and watch the king, his family, and his court eat supper. for dessert, louis xiv favored chocolate. after all, he was instrumental in the research, development, and manufacturing of chocolate.

madame chocolat, nestled in beverly hills, is where you can get a local taste of versailles. you are welcomed with royal visions of chocolate, chandeliers, gilded mirrors, and whimsy. behind the glass encased chocolate creations, you may watch the gorgeous hasty torres tempering chocolate and crafting her creations.

hasty torres uses fine belgian chocolate with a 60 percent cacao ratio. every single truffle and bon bon is exquisitely hand molded and hand decorated. your choices may vary from classic monsieur (jonnie walker blue label) to luscious chocolate squares topped with roasted almond, pistachio, and dried apricot.


the versailles theme continues with her amazing white quilted packaging, a brown bow, and silver pin attached. when the spanish princess maria theresa was betrothed to louis xiv, she gave him an engagement gift of chocolate in an elegantly ornate chest.


after a day of shopping on rodeo drive, you can relax in the café area and imbibe a lovely hot cup of cocoa with a chocolate spoon on the side - - -there are also chocolate shavings for cocoa to go.

for inspired reading please check out:
Love and Louis XIV: The Women in the Life of the Sun King

spa luce hollywood: when chocolate just isn't enough

luxury and elegance in the center of hollywood - - - the glory days are back.

heavenly shades of white glow as you enter spa luce. with the feel of immediate serenity, an escort takes you to the immaculate changing rooms where you find a long bathrobe and slippers waiting. while there, enjoy the eucalyptus infused steam rooms before your treatment.

the chocolate and roses manicure treatment...

after your soak in an orchid pool, a trained reflexologist, massages you with somme institute dark chocolate truffle scrub.

chocolate aromas flood the senses and the upper arm and hand massage definitely gets your circulation flowing. warm towels remove the scrub and then rose oil (vegan and paraben free) is applied.

you a finished off with your exquisite manicure and then you are free to relax over a spa lunch at the rooftop pool. it has a generous view of the hollywood sign from your cabana. yes, you are a star.

you may also chose to go to the relaxation rooms which i love. there you have pillow topped mattresses in cocoons which somehow reminds me of a futuristic james bond movie. nibbly things, teas, and waters are included.

for the lovers month of february, i recommend booking a couples massage which includes a glass of champagne and truffles by k chocolatier by diane kron. or better yet, get their couples sea salt baths.

spa luce
323.491.1376

essential chocolate desserts: red velvet ding dongs

stunning, gorgeous, delicious, and moist. i have had my share of nouveau ding-dongs and i am awarding essential chocolates the ding-dong trophy until someone can prove me wrong. the rich moist velvet cake with the vanilla creme center is just perfect - - - not overly sweet and the cake is magnificent.

it is enrobed in dark chocolate and dusted with red velvet cake crumbs.

they also sell mini ding-dongs (to die for) for 2 dollars.

definitely order these for your sweetie or visit essential chocolate desserts at 10868 washington in culver city, ca.

lamar's donuts: chocolate fluff filled

on a trip to kansas city we hit lamar's donuts. these handcrafted works of art are not for the weak at heart (or those with weak hearts). lamar's chocolate iced bar chocolate fluff filled is one delectable sinker that can turn into serious addiction - - - just be careful of the subsequent rapid palpitations.

after your 800 calorie indulgence, use the rest of your daily calorie intake at jack stack's bbq (my favorite in town).

amano: guayas

the pink palace, 1930's.

just outside the lawns of the beverly hills hotel, you take the path that leads to the polo lounge. passing by bungalow number four, you discretely nod to gable and lombard.

you arrive at the watering hole and find it filled with scents of musk, cigar, rye, and celebrity... having just returned from his polo match, you overhear will rogers humoring fairbanks and tracy stating "all i know is just what i read in the papers, and that's an alibi for my ignorance".

the bartender knows your drink and gives a stiff pour. a reserved booth with a shiny black box of chocolate on the table awaits. you sit, sip, then open the box. immediately after your first bite of chocolate, you are overwhelmed with chocolate transcendence that encompasses the feel and aromas of the room.

this bar is luxury, lust, and a must.

sifers: valomilk

this midwest treat is gooey goodness and perfect for the snobs who can let loose once in a while.

we were in a drug store in kansas city and i picked up this marshmallow cup and immediately fell in love with the valomilk goodness and charm. i wanted to know more, so we drove to merriam, kansas to see russell sifers managing his family owned and operated candy company (now into it's fifth generation).

the family started making candy in 1903. in those early years, russell’s great grandfather (samuel mitchell sifers) made bulk penny hard candy, hand rolled boxed chocolates, and made some of the first nickel candy bars in the midwest (old king tut, subway sadie, ozark ridge, rough neck, jersey cow, fumbles, snow cup and the kc bar).

russell’s grandfather, harry sifers, was always looking for new ideas for candy so they dipped scoops of their runny marshmallow into chocolate cups. messy but delicious and a simple taste of heaven! they began making the new candy calling it valomilk dips and sold them for 5 cents in 1931.

the name valomilk dip came from: v for real vanilla, alo from marshmallow, milk to describe it as creamy and dip because it was hand dipped (hand made). the name for “the original flowing center candy cup” was later shortened to valomilk. the original valomilk dips were two ounces in one large cup. today valomilks are still two ounces, but now it is in a package of two cups.

during world war II when ingredients were rationed, they had someone flying around the country in an open cockpit plane searching for ingredients. they made candy with what they could find. because of the scarcity of chocolate (a lot went over seas to the troops) they had to stop making our boxed chocolates. what chocolate they could get went into making valomilks.

in 1981 the factory was shut down and russell left the business. after half a century, valomilks ended! but, in 1985 russell acquired his great grandfather’s original copper kettles and other equipment and put the factory back together in merriam, ks. valomilks returned to the stores in kansas city in 1987. today, russell's son dave is the fifth generation to make valomilks. they still make valomilks the way candy used to be made – by hand, one batch at a time with the original family recipe along with much of the original equipment. the process is slow and difficult but the results are truly old fashioned, hand made quality you can taste.

russell warned us about crossing the rockies with our box of valomilks since they burst at high altitude. it was worth it... we only lost a couple to our flight back home.

milka: luflée

this is a very, very sweet milt chocolate with an air of cinammon. it is not bad for a novelty chocolate and for someone who is not a snob. the bar comes close to the aero bar which always brings fond memories of my youth.

max brenner: milk chocolate cubes filled with orange peel praline cream and caramelized pecan bits

down under and searching for chocolate. max brenner has the most adorable packaging and his store is gorgeous. "chocolate by the bald man" (discretely stated on the package, in the store, on the mugs...) is a delightful treat. it reminds me of gianduia with lovely little orange teases - - - the carmelized pecan bits have a great crackle.

co co sala: chocolate and bubbles

book me on a flight and take me to dc. co co sala is having happy hour monday thru friday from 4-7. this is an exquisite chocolate lounge and i highly recommend it to any connoisseur. we always saved room for dessert just to go back to co co sala. martha w. would approve.

muzzi: latte e menta

you are sailing in your borrowed yacht along cape race in newfoundland. you are reenacting the music video "my heart goes on" by celine dion. at the forecastle, your arms are outstretched and you pull out a latte e menta. it is refreshing, minty, and quite an elegant piece of chocolate... well worth venturing into the milk territory. just promise to never let go.

q &bull bel: dark chocolate crispie rice wafer bar

post one of six.

the dark chocolate wafer bar is wonderfully crispy and it is coated in belgian dark chocolate. there are two bars to a pack and it is just impossible to save one for later. this is a perfect dark, crispy, flaky bar.

the founder created the chocolate bar company, promoting no chemicals and artificial ingredients, for his children. the founder is also a romantic and named it after his wife isabel.

there is no doubt that the quality is top notch and you can taste the love put into this product.

american heritage chocolate: chocolate stick

you are an observer at the american philosophical society and become startled by a touch to the shoulder. ben franklin whispers in your ear... who knew the man could be so naughty? you excuse his behavior... after all, he worked hard on getting rid of the stamp act (the british tried to solve their national debt by taxing the u.s. on all printed matter).

ben kindly invites you for a constitutional after the meeting - - - he somehow is too intriguing to deny. as you stroll the cobbled streets, he reaches into his pockets and offers a chocolate stick. you raise one eyebrow, nod to him, and then gently glide it into your mouth. aromas of cinnamon, anise, nutmeg, pepper, and orange mystify you. this is the chocolate of colonial america. he winks and states, "you know, i managed to secure six pounds of chocolate for every officer for the french and indian war". this is a man after your own heart. you fall in love.

please visit www.americanheritagechocolate.com for colonial chocolate history.

mast brothers chocolate: dark milk chocolate 60% + almonds + sea salt

mast brothers chocolate: dark milk chocolate 60% + almonds + sea salt
brooklyn, ny

you are in florence and strolling along the ponte vecchio. on the medieval bridge, you gaze over the arno river. the souvenir shops are teetery and depressing. however, out of the rough, a gorgeous paper and pen shop emerges. apparently, they have been making hand made florentine papers for centuries.

you proceed to the fenced statue of benvenuto cellini with your padlock in hand. carlos santana is there and nods - - - peculiar.
after you hear the faint click of the key securing the lock placed on the fence, you release a sigh knowing that you and your love will be eternally bonded. you hold the key for a slight second then toss it over the bridge.... it soars until it gently kisses the river.

avoiding the 50€ penalty, for those caught locking something to the fence, you discreetly walk back across the bridge. carlos catches up to you and hands you a bar wrapped in what seems to be florentine paper. after a second nod, he disappears. you gently open the fleur de lis wrapping and discover a deep, rich, and salty chocolate - - - you taste adventure, you taste history, you taste love.

happy valentine's day: metromint giveaway

in honor of the metromint giveaway, i have written my review of the chocolatemint water in the form of a haiku:

peppermint patty
more fun than a dentist chair*
kisses to my mouth

and now for the giveaway details... metromint is giving away a free case of chocolatemint and cherrymint water! so, for chocolate snob's enjoyment, there will be a haiku contest. for the uninitiated, a haiku is a japanese poem divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. see my example above.

your challenge is to write a haiku that is inspired by valentine's day and it does not need to mention metromint. you are more than welcome to suck up to chocolate snob though.... you have until the 22nd of february to compose your winning haiku.

please email your response to

*i love going to the dentist!

cholive: the cholive

brewing, manufacturing, frommage... who knew milwaukee would throw us a curve with chocolate? with a ganache center covered by a hard chocolate barrel, the chocolate olive is to accompany your favorite libation. a skewer easily pokes through the cholive for the perfect garnish - - - i like the way this drinking town thinks.

no olives were harmed in the making of the cholive.

i created a black russian with grills for my cholive… the recipe follows...


2 parts vodka
1 part kahlua
put into an ice filled shaker
shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, pour
dust with gold leaf and add a cholive

surfas inc.: catánies

surfas is probably the best commercial kitchen supply and goods store in LA.  at checkout, they had a very simple clear plastic box containing roughly ten chocolate nuggets.  along with the herbes du provence dried olives and belgium pearl sugar, the nuggets got in my shopping basket.

there really was no information on the chocolate package except for the ingredients, the name of the product, and the name of the store.  despite the packaging, after one bite you are taken to paraiso! the little chocolate complex treasure has a soft chocolate exterior that envelopes hazelnut marzipan around a caramel coated marcona almond. delicioso!  

get them.

trader joe's: swiss milk chocolate with 30% whole hazelnuts

delicious! trader von liesl claims that the bar has "incomparable flavor" yet, somehow it tastes just like villars chocolate with hazelnuts. do tell... the bar even has the matching edelweiss imprint on the chocolate. if you are going to repackage and call it your own, demonstrate a tad bit more contrast, give credit, or get a new copywriter.

365 organic: 54% cacaoswiss dark chocolate with mint crisps

pulverized tic-tac's blended into mediocre chocolate with borderline bloom is not my idea of delectation. i must not forget to mention that there is a kind of creepy aftertaste as well. if you do bother to try it, you might want to go better than bad and pick up a box of after eights instead.

i keep telling myself not to buy organic...

charles chocolates: crystallized ginger pieces in 65% bittersweet chocolate

there is precious diamond dust inside this chocolate bar! small crystallized bits of ginger crackle and meld into the bittersweet chocolate.

i recommend always having this bar on hand.

askinosie: sipping chocolate 70%

frankly i had a little difficulty in tasting this hot cocoa... the morsels barely made the milk since i kept eating them one after another - - - they were absolutely delicious. the sipping chocolate is packaged in a kraft tube with a big rubber band holding down the memo note (see image on right).

you may want to try making mexican hot chocolate with this.