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.

alpine village: german acrobats and chocolate

a little road trip to the queen mary today ended up with an accidental diversion to alpine village in torrance. it is definitely an "only in LA" wonder: there is an old fashioned meat counter where you can buy homemade sausage; their sunday german champagne brunch buffet is straight from the 60s; the ratio of socks in birkenstocks to vans is unusually high south of berkeley; entertainment is provided by cherub cheeked german octogenarians doing acrobats with flowers in their hair;

photo credit: james paris
and, you can find an amazing selection of chocolates at unusually low prices - - - heilemann chocolates are just 1.25!!!!!!!!

alpine village may not still look like the pictured vintage postcard but you must make the trip if you are a fan of camp and excellent prices on chocolate.

note: don't forget to put on your lederhosen... this years oktoberfest will be held September 12th, 2009 thru October 25th, 2009. www.alpinevillage.net

kinder : happy hippo

this was such a fun treat from rafal and dean. they picked up this happy hippo in spain. i loved it with all snobbery aside! It is comprised of a wafer shell surrounding a soft chocolate center.

coppeneur: uba budo

sao tome & principe - agua grande plantation uba budo vollmich chocolade 52% cacao forastero mit himalaya-salz & caramel.

sacrifice everything and get this bar. delicious, gentle, yet bitter. you tease! there is a lot of hypnotic aftertaste that lingers much like a ghostly smokey aperitif. the packaging is divine... complete with a wax seal and booklet. GET THIS FINE DELICACY!

zotter: pfefferschrot und minzeol

dusty mint fields that have been covered in post war ashes. one single approach to the tongue and you will realize the sensation of licking an ash tray filled with menthol cigarettes. i do applaud the manufacturer for its novel and wacky flavours. do try them and try not to be shy.