Chocoholics Unite: Distillation: Chocoholics Unite, 2005
magine if all the chocoholics could share their best fixes. Are any chocolate factories still giving tours? In your travels, what sinful treat best satisfies that urge for something chocolaty?
Read the Distillation: Chocoholics Unite, 2005
Marcolini is the worlds Finest
After eating my way around the world... Marcolini has the best I have ever tasted. Every praline is a completely amazing study of all things that taste too good to be legal!
Chriz
Brussels, USA Wed 12/28/2005
Chocolates and pastry
Some of the best chocolate in Paris at Gerard Muillot in the St. Germain neighborhood of Paris
Christopher Fay
Newburyport, MA USA Sun 12/18/2005
Ragusa Swiss Chocolate Source
Found the Source of Ragusa Chocolate. The Swiss Bakery in Burke, VA is the importers for Camille Bloch Chocolates including Ragusa and Torino. They also have Caotina and plenty of other Swiss And German products. Hope this helps. I have now have my source for a chocolate fix. And they ship!!!!!
Ragusa Lover <email>
Fairfax, VA USA Fri 12/02/2005
Tobelrone
I can't help but getting Tobelrone even in the states. When I was on my Switzerland Trip back in 1999 I had a Toblerone Bar and enjoyed it so much that I finally found it in the US. It's hard to describe but it just melts in your mouth. I enjoy every ounce of it.
Daniel Onn
Saratoga, CA USA Thu 11/10/2005
Italian Chocolate
Perugia Dark Chocolate
sue
seattle, wa USA Wed 11/09/2005
Orvieto! Hands Down!
The best chocolate I've ever had was found in Orvieto. We first bought some when we were there in 2003 with friends. My husband and I went back in 2004, because we didn't think we'd given Orvieto enough time in '03, but the first place we went was Cafe Montanucci. The conical "pinocchio's noses" are wonderful, creme-filled with pistachio, orange, other. The baci put Perugia to shame.
And I have to put in a good word for the Giandujia in Torino.
Mary <email>
Raleigh, NC USA Tue 11/08/2005
Marcolini VS Mary's in Brussels
I have to put up a warning for Mary's in Brussels. I live in Brussels since a couple of months back and have tried most of the chocolatiers around. Pierre Marcoloni is really worth every single euro! Wittamer isn't too bad either. Mary's however was definitelly a disappointment! This perhaps because I like chocolate mousse more than cream fillings. The mousses (if you can call then that) at mary's was lumpy and hard. It's not bad chocolate, I just expected more because of the price.
Gemma
Brussels, USA Sat 11/05/2005
Ice Cube Chocolates
I live in Germany and would love to find Ice cube chocolate. I've had it in the states, but I don't know what the packaging looks like here.
Lisa Hettler <email>
Parsberg, Germany, GermanyGermanyUSA Tue 10/25/2005
London chocolate
Be sure to visit the Chocolate Society - eat a brownie while you're there. Charbonnel et Walker on Bond Street is worth the visit. La Maison du Chocolat is great - Pierre Marcolini is a little over-hyped. Of course, the food halls at the greats - Harrod's, Fortnum's - are great fun.
USA Mon 10/10/2005
Chocolate in Amsterdam
My favorite chocolate shop is Puccini in Amsterdam. There are two locations. I have never visited Belgium but I have been all over Europe. Leonidas, Vosges, Scharfenberger, Lindt, etc. can't hold a candle to it.
Marianne
Chicago, IL USA Tue 09/27/2005
chocolate soup in Edinburgh
Sarah, I gave Edinburgh's "Chocolate Soup" cafe a try, too. I had a shot of the stuff, straight up.
p.s. Thornton's has lots of places in England, and I really like their Viennese truffle things. Brought some home with me, and even slightly squashed as they were, they were a big hit. Too bad I only brought one small bag, because about 30 hours after my arrival home, every last one was gone!
Elizabeth <email>
Seattle, WA USA Tue 08/30/2005
chocoholics unite
Bernachon is based in Lyon but there is a store in Pigalle of all places that sells it. Patricia Wells' wonderful food guide to Paris can direct you to that store. Even better than Maison du Chocolat!
dave
anacortes, wa USA Fri 08/26/2005
Belgian Chocolates Bruges - Coast
For us, the best chocolates in Bruges can be found at Chocart (near the market). We've tried Dumon, NOT impressed by their quality... We love to surf, so we've also visited Knokke near Bruges. Since that day... one address for chocolate: Chocolatier M by créateur-chocolatier David Maenhout !!Excellent chocolate!! Bought several boxes worth of chocolates, everyone likes them a lot! David, please open a shop in the States!?
Oliver
San Diego, CA USA Wed 08/24/2005
Belgian Chocolates in Brugge - Depla
We spent May and June 2006 in Europe but didn't stay in Brugge this time. However, we took a daytrip from Paris (TGV thru Lille - using our Europass)to Brugge mainly to buy chocolates. For us, it's Depla's and we bought $250 worth of dark chocolates (it's good for you, you know).
We tried Dumon's last year but she had such an attitude that the chocolates we bought just didn't taste right.
Now we enjoy the chocolates from Depla's until our next annual visit - they keep quite well in the freezer. Yummm.....
Chris
SF, CA USA Thu 08/18/2005
Chocolate Soup
If you are in Edinburgh you must absolutley try Chocolate Soup - there are a couple of locations in the city and everything is covered in the most amazing hot fudge!
Sarah <email>
Altamonte Springs, FL USA Wed 08/10/2005
Creme Brulee Lindt Chocolate
In Switzerland we purchased a Lindt chocolate bar that was "Creme Brulee." It was DELICIOUS!!! One of the best chocolate bars I have ever had. There was a thin filling of creme & some crunch "burnt sugar" in it. Wonderful!
Susan <email>
Port Orchard, WA USA Tue 08/09/2005
Re: Butler's Chocolate
My boyfriend is originally from Dublin. We went home to visit his family back in January. Yes, Butler's chocolate is incredible!!!. I brought back the boxes that were wrapped in white tissue paper back home to friends and family and they loved it!!!
Lauren <email>
Staten Island, NY USA Sun 08/07/2005
Butler's Irish Chocolate
The best chocolate is Butler's Irish Chocolate. Last year in Dublin my sister and I stocked up on their dark chocolate bars. They're fantastic!
Colleen
Tampa, FL USA Thu 08/04/2005
Gift
Fortnum and Maison, London makes great truffles it has been several years but in the past prices were cheaper than US and in Prestige Box makes great gift I would only do this in fall not in summer
Brangwin
Bellevue, USA Wed 08/03/2005
Brussels, Bruges, Amsterdam, San Francisco
Add me to the chorus for Pierre Marcolini on the Grand Sablon Square in Brussels (and other stores). Forget the Grand Place--the Place du Sablon (that's the French, right?) is where it's at. I bought some chocolate at Mary's (a bit further up the road) in Brussels and my friend loved them. Haven't tried Wittamer yet, also on the Grand Sablon, but TimeOut also says they're one of the best and so far has been exactly on the money.
On the recommendation of Rick's guide, I went to Dumon in Bruges. I wasn't terribly impressed. More importantly, even though I was the only customer in the store and there was plenty of time before it closed, the woman behind the counter made it clear that I was really putting her out by having the gall to choose which chocolates I wanted, repeatedly telling me "I guess you have a lot of time--more than I do" and "most people just choose the selections". It was ridiculous.
Do try the Chocolate Line in Bruges, though. I'm only halfway through the box, but so far it's good, and they were very helpful (even if it is more expensive than Dumon).
Oh, and in Amsterdam I liked Pompadour (Huidenstraat 12 and Kerkstraat 148). See also http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17207-2005Feb11_4.html
Christina
San Francisco, CA USA Mon 08/01/2005
Thortons Chocolate
When in the UK you must make a stop a Thorton's Chocolates. They are the best. Some of the speciality chocolates can be a bit pricy, but they make candy bar versions of some of it and small bags of truffles which are priced better. This is the best chocolate I've ever had. My favorite is the Viennese Candy Bar.
Stacy
Omaha, NE USA Wed 07/27/2005
Chocolate in Brussels
Just got back from Brussels and did a chocolate tour of the stores around Grand Place and area surrounding it. The one I like is Chocolatier Mary, located a few blocks behind the cathedral. Excellent chocolate!! Bought several boxes worth of chocolates, everyone likes them. Chocolatier Mary has held a Royal Warrant from the Belgium Royal family since 1942. Can check it out online at mary.be
Matt
Dublin, CA USA Mon 06/27/2005
Belgium Chocolate
I have lived in Europe about 10 years and have travelled to most of Europe. In my opinion Belgium has the best chocolate. What is known as pralines are filled chocolates - so you know where I stand, my preferences are dark chocolate pralines filled with creams, coffee or, especially, liquid caramel. No liqueurs or fruit candies for me.
My wife's favorite is Wittamer while my favorite is Pierre Marcolini across the street in the Grand Sablon area. Other good, small shops are Mary's and Manon. Larger commercial companies with several outlets are Neuhaus, Leonidas and Galler - all good. Godiva isn't bad either but is becoming quite homogenized having been bought up by some large American food corporation. Even the Carte d'Or candy bars sold in almost all shops are great dark chocolate. Forget about a visit to the Museum of Chocolate in the Grand Place - it isn't worth the money.
Years ago when I lived in Paris we enjoyed Angelinas (mentioned below) and Maison du Chocolate which has expanded to several shops now. At that time (1989-91) it was one of the few shops in Paris that did not allow smoking inside.
Woody
USA Thu 06/16/2005
Best hot chocolate in the world can be found in Paris.
Right behind the Louvre on Rue du Rivoli is Angelina's. Try the African Hot Chocolate, it's not to thick, but deliciously rich. The deserts here are great too.
Kelly
Denver, CO USA Sun 06/12/2005
Manner Store in Vienna
The Manner Company has openend a store in Vienna on a corner right next to St. Stephen's Cathedral. They make yummy wafer cookies with cream filling (the ones covered in chocolate are luscious).
They also make a hazelnut and chocolate "wurvel" (cube) that is delish!!
We stocked up on assorted "pralines" and wish we had bought more.
Susan <email>
Port Orchard, WA USA Wed 06/08/2005
Chocolate in the SF Bay Area
I agree with Andrea (NY) that eating Pierre Marcolini chocolate is a religious experience. We're sorry we couldn't bring more home with us.
Linda <email>
San Francisco, CA USA Mon 05/23/2005
Belgium- Pierre Marcolini!
I can sum up the chocolate at Pierre Marcolini in 2 words... RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE!!! Being in Brussels at Easter was a big plus- the chocolatiers all put their best on display. Neuhaus was a very good choice too, but Marcolini was our hands-down favorite. Expensive, but well worth every Euro! We came back with an entire carry-on full of Pierre (for us) and Neuhaus (as gifts). The Mexican and Venezuelan Grand Cru was amazing. We've since eaten it all and cannot wait to stock up again! We'll have to try Leonidas next time I suppose out of fairness. ;)
Andrea
NY USA Sun 05/22/2005
chocolate
My wife and I both love chocolate and are also open-minded to realize that people have different taste. In fact, 20 years ago when I lived in Germany I loved Milka and today I prefer dark chocolate. I was fortunate to judge a chocolate contest in 2004. My father was in the chocolates business when I was born through about my age of 10.
However, having had chocolate from a number of shops in Europe (and the U.S.) I found that Olivier bon bons in Maastricht makes what I consider the worlds best, especially those filled with liqueurs. The Friandes shop across the river from Olivier makes good chocolate but in my humble opinion not as good. Having just bought some in Brugge/Bruges our strong preference is still for Olivier.
Greg
Bloomington, IN USA Sun 05/22/2005
Nutella in Italy
Have you ever tried Nutella, made by Ferrero in Italy?It's something you just MUST taste and it can easily be found in every drugstore in Italy!It's a superb spreading chocolate, made with cocoa and nuts...try it on a slice of bread: it's a slice of heaven!!!
Simona <email>
CS ITALY Thu 05/05/2005
Best chocolate in Italy
Sorrento: There's a pasticerria (pastry shop) on Corso Italia between the Piazza Tasso and Piazzo Lauro (train station) on the side opposite from Standa (the grocery). They had this really good chocolate flan that they warm up. It tastes like a really good, rich, dark volcano brownie. Florence: The chocolate mousse at Gelateria Carrozze between Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi (in Rick Steves) was awesome. It's basically frozen mousse, but it was the best mousse I have ever had.
Sonia <email>
Austin, TX USA Sat 04/23/2005
The Best Chocolate in Switzerland
Confiserie Hanselmann in St. Moritz has outrageously delicious Champagne Truffles. They also sell a lovely little gift box called "Skiers", containing 3 each of milk and dark solid bars with nuts. Yummy!
Mary <email>
Waltham, MA USA Thu 04/14/2005
Chocolate to die for
The hot chocolate at Cafe Rivoire in Florence is the best thing I have ever tasted in my life!
Nicole <email>
USA Fri 04/08/2005
Chocolate Museum in Koln (Cologne)
Rick makes brief mention of the Chocolate Museum in Koln, Germany. It's a 1km walk from the Dom Cathedral and Koln Hbf (Main train station). Walk to the river, turn right, and it's on a small island about 500m away. My wife LOVED the place. They have a small working chocolate production facility, and a gallery which contains sculpture made from chocolate. Some pictures of the sculptures are at my picture site: http://farbckle.smugmug.com. It was crawling with kids when we were there, but I'd still recommend the stop.
Mike <email>
Cincinnati, OH USA Sun 04/03/2005
Joel Durand Truffles, Dutch Chocolate Jimmies
Joel Durand in St. Remy de Provence has the most amazing truffles. I like the earl grey and the lavender ones the best.
Lisa
Rochester, NY USA Thu 03/24/2005
Choclates
For any of you that decide to go to Luca, which is a beautiful town in the Tuscan region. There is a chocolaterie, called "chocolat", just like the movie by the same name. It is run by an American and it is decorated like the store in the movie, you even get a sample like in the movie. We thought it was lovely.
Mariana Perrigo <email>
The Woodlanads, Tx USA Wed 03/23/2005
European Chocolate Festival
Every October, Perugia in Italy's Umbria region hosts the annual European Chocolate Festival. It is really quite a treat. Perugia is also home to the Perugina chocolate company, makers of the Perugina Baci. Both the festival and the Baci are not to be missed.
Rob <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Fri 02/11/2005
Le Guide
I strongly recommend a guide produced by a society of chocolate lovers in France called "Le Guide du Club des Croquers de Chocolate." It rates chocolate shops all over France. It's only available from France, in French, but anyone can understand the 1-5 bar chocolate rating system. We used it to visit nearly a dozen chocolate shops all over France, and enjoyed everyone.
Stephen Kirk <email>
Harvard, MA USA Sat 02/05/2005
MILKA
I live in Europe and one of my favorite things here is the access to good chocolate at a low price. (One of the few things that is cheap over here!)One of my staples when I do the grocery shopping is to pick up Milka chocolate. It's a candy bar in a purple wrapper-- you'll find them in any grocery store in this part of the world and in lots of variety. I like the plain Alpenmilch (milk chocolate) variety the best although for a change I like the Cafe Creme (it has coffee creme in the middle) and the Erdbeere (strawberry) with some strawberry-flavored filling in the middle.I just bought 300grams of Milka (that's about 12oz.) of yummy Milka chocolate for 1,59 euros. And when I go home to the States for visits, I always take a big stash of these chocolates home with me.
EM
Vienna, Austria Sat 01/29/2005
Davina in the UK?
I recently discovered a little outlet for Davina chocolates in the town I live in, Epsom. It's great, I had a good old binge on their chocolate When I went to the Belgian coast... and now they're here. Their champagne truffles are oh so yum!
Nats <email>
Epsom, UK Sun 01/09/2005
Don't Leave Bruges Withone Some...
We just returned from Bruges and are disappointed that we didn't buy more chocolate from Ms. Dumon to bring home--it really is amazing and we only returned with one small box! Don't make the same mistake we did!
Sharon and Larry <email>
Atlanta, GA USA Sun 01/09/2005
Extremely Chocolatey Mini Bites
If you haven't tried Marks and Spencer's "Extremely Chocolatey Mini Bites," you must! This British chain's product is addictive. I wish I could order some from the states.
Ande <email>
Houston, TX USA Mon 01/03/2005