Dessert Darling

See's Candies, a Household Holiday Staple!

If See's advertised itself as a chocolatier, I'd have to give them 3.5 cherries. But they don't, they call their treats candy, and that distinction escalates their rating to a solid 5-cherries for their chocolaty, crunchy, tasty goodness! If not for yummy-factor, than at least for nostalgia's sake. I literally can't conceive of a holiday in my home without a box of See's accompanying the festivities.  

Since childhood, these mini, gourmet candy bars have made their way into every Christmas, Easter, and birthday celebration, with each family member having a favorite.  

Dad's the marzipan, mom's the dark chocolate with almonds, my brother Chris likes the cherry cordials, Greg's the healthy one who'd rather eat beef jerky, and I was a "Scotch Mallow" girl (butterscotch and marshmallow covered in chocolate.. mmmm). 

While I don't think these are the most delicate and say, sexy treats, for a romantic affair, I do think they're fun and hearty chocolates for a family to enjoy on special occasions.

 

For more info on See's Candies, click here.

 

XOOX

Edelweiss Chocolates, in Beverly Hills for 69 years..!

Well, we had a fantastic 5-cherry streak there for a while, but I'm afraid I have to break it today with this review on Edelweiss Chocolates in Beverly Hills.  This small but packed confection shop has been around for 69 years, and clearly must be doing something right. However, I'm at a loss as to what that is. These chocolates are extremely sweet. I mean, powdered-sugar overload inside those truffles! I actually had to spit some bites out they so shocked my taste buds.

Edelweiss Chocolates are more like candy, in the vein of Milkyways and Reeces bars. They have a lot of marshmallow covered options, which you don't see in more refined chocolatiers. Indeed, Edelweiss Chocolates seem to be a hodge-podge, poor man's take on See's Candie's, which was founded in 1921- A true LA landmark! Hmmm, if you're on Canon, walk a few block's south to Madam Chocolat, your sophisticated palette will be glad you did.

 

 

xo

The Real Chocolate of Beverly Hills - Madame Chocolat

They say Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in heels.

Today I entered the ritzy, Beverly Hills chocolate shoppe, Madame Chocolat, which I instantly recognized from scenes in The Real Housewives of BH.

 

I was delighted to not only enter a luxurious chocolate shop, but also to see the bright and cheerful kitchen where the chocolatiers make magic happen!

 

I then noted, that alongside the Madame Chocolat truffles, a whole side of the case was dedicated to Jaque Torres chocolates. Furthermore, the chocolate chip cookies looked just like the Jacques Torres cookies that I reviewed in New York.

 

Hmm...I asked the Madame herself if she preferred her chocolates to Jacques', and she waxed poetic about how he is the master, and that both chocolates are great- just different. Well, we'll see about that- I thought.

 

 

A few bites into Madame's exquisite chocolates and I was an instant devotee. The delicate offerings were feminine and bite sized, with a steady shell that allows for some lively crunch. Oh Madame! I prefer these sultry morsels any day to those of Monsieur Torres'! 

As I was leaving the store, I overheard her share to the next costumer, that Jacques Torres, the "master", is indeed her Husband!! Aw-Hah!

Well Madame, if he is Fred Astaire, then You are Ginger Rogers.

 

For more info on Madame Chocolate, click here. 

 XOXO

 

Kee's Chocolates in SoHo, NY: Intoxicating!!

Ooh la la! I feel energized... and Flushed! Like I've been sipping an after-dinner drink sprinkled with pixie dust.  And yet, this sensation comes not from alcohol, but rather, chocolate: Kee's Choclates, to be exact.

Every night Kee hand-makes her chocolates with the freshest ingredients and secret recipes that she, alone, knows. The extraordinary results are small globes with delicate shells that crack to expose silky, exotic fillings like rose & black tea, sesame seed, cognac, and creme brulee.

These intoxicating truffles would make the perfect gift for that special someone (including yourself ;).

For more info on Kee's Chocolates, click here.

 

Image from blog.ratestogo.com

xo

 

The Top 5 BEST CHOCOLATES to Gift for the Holidays

According to this poll, chocolates are your second favorite treat to receive this holiday season, just behind cookies.  Below are my TOP 5 Best Chocolates to gift (and receive!) this magical season.

 

1) K Chocolatier not only makes some of the highest quality chocolates, like the truffles that Jacky O loved, and the Vodka Balls that I love, but also they package them in the most beautiful boxes with paper mache roses.  I still have a box from years ago that I use for keep-sakes.  

2) John Kelly Chocolates won the Golden Cherry last year and with one luscious bite, you'll see why. These truffle-fudge bites melt in your mouth and will send you directly to heaven. You'll hear angels singing.

 

3) La Maison du Chocolat gets their chocolates shipped in from France daily, which explains their European sophistication. These graceful treats are simple yet divine.

 

4) Sprüngly makes some of the most delicate and delicious chocolates that I've ever had.  Small in stature, but large in experience, these treats would make the perfect stocking stuffer for that special someone.

 

5) ChocolatiQue If you like gooey centers, colorful designs and exotic flavors (Madagascar Vanilla Cola anyone?!), then ChocolatiQue is for you. These delightful morsels are a must-try.~

I hope this guide helped you! I'd love to know if you've had any of these chocolates before and what your thoughts are!

best,

Choco Bon Bons, Delicious Ice Cream Treats for Any Season!

Perfection.

These delicious treats taste way more fun and decadent than something you'd purchase from a grocery store. And yet, there they are in the frozen aisle of Whole Foods and Trader Joes (under the TJ label though).  

Mmmmm.

"Ice cream Treats with a cookie crust, dipped in rich chocolate!" says the Choco Bon Bon website. Aw, but they don't specify that the chocolate layer is so good it could stand alone (unlike the waxy, thin shells on Dibbs and other ice cream treats), or that the vanilla filling is as luxurious as Haagen-Dazs, or that the cookie adds a unique dimension to the traditional bon bon, soaking up the ice cream and delighting all around.  

Furthermore, these treats are 100% natural, and "only 60 calories per Bon Bon." Which is great if you can limit yourself to a few at time!

 

 

 

For more info on Choco Bon Bon and all their flavors, click here. 

Tasty Chocolates by B.T. McElrath Chocolatier

While I won't dream about B.T. McElrath chocolates at night, I like them. It took me a moment to get past the sturdy shells, but the zesty ganache fillings with flavors like Chile Limon Mayan Truffle and Zinfandel-Balsamic kind of hooked me.  The shells are made of high quality chocolate, however, they're too firm to meld seamlessly with the fillings once in your mouth. Ultimately, there's a bit of a heavy-handed, masculine touch to these truffles and I think the plastic divider that separates each chocolate in the box cheapens the brand a bit.  I'm lingering somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4 cherry rating, but since 'tis the season.. I shall round up to 4 cherries! Cheers B.T. McElrath Chocolatier!

 

For more information on B.T. McElrath Chocolatier, click here.

 

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows with Peppermint Bits

While 'tis the season to indulge in delicious desserts, they don't all have to be decadent calorie clusters to pack a festive punch.  Take these Peppermint Marshmallows from Stonewall Kitchen, for example. They're simply large marshmallows, dipped in delicious chocolate, and rolled around in some crushed peppermint bits. Yummers! These Peppermint Marshmallows were a huge hit with my family over Thanksgiving and I think they'd make the perfect cameo appearance at your holiday parties.. that is, if you don't eat them first!

For more information on Stonewall Kitchen, click here. 

 

Some of the World's Best Chocolates- La Maison du Chocolat

Exquisite! La Maison du Chocolat makes some of the most delectable chocolates and macarons that a girl could dream of. Their treats are simple, delicate, and divine with silky ganache fillings and unforgettable flavors.  La Maison du Chocolat gets their goodies shipped in from France daily which makes them both Ooh-La-La Tres Chic and Ooh-No-No So Pricy!

Gentlemen, you'd do well to treat your ladies to a box of La Maison du Chocolat chocolates.  However, it should be noted that their packaging is rather austere.  You won't find the fun and frivolity of a Teauscher's or K Chocolatier's box at La Maison du Chocolat.  

 

 

For more information on La Maison du Chocolat, or to check out their online store, click here! 

 

xo

Mmm, My New GO TO Chocolate

Right when I didn't think I could eat another morsel of food thanks to a tremendous Thanskgiving feast, I stumbled upon a box of handcrafted chocolates by Michael Hohenthal of Go To Chocolate.  Currently I'm munching on Dark Chocolate covered English Toffee chips with almond bits on top. Mmm, they're addicting with their all natural and fresh ingredients! The Dark Chocolate covered Toffee with Caramel pieces are also delicious and great for those who prefer softer centers. Mmmm~

 

For more information on Go To Chocolate by Michael Hohenthal, click here.  

 

Jacques Torres Chocolates... Worth the Hype??

Jacques Torres has made quite the name for himself as a chocolate specialist.  He's an affable figure on TV and I'm sure we'd get along swimmingly...except, I don't really like his chocolates ((Eeeg)).  I'm sorry, but like Sprinkles and other trendy, name recognizable desserts, I think there's more hype than value here.

I've had Jacques Torres chocolates many times, and while I appreciate the manageable bite sizes and delicate shells, I can't say that the flavors keep me wanting more.  I certainly don't pine away for Jacques Torres chocolates the way I do with K Chocolatier, John Kelly, or La Mason Du Chocolat's swoon worthy creatons.  Overall though, 3.5 cherries is solid rating.  

 

For more info on Jacques Torres chocolates, click here.  

 

Delicious Sin-Free Chocolates from Benchic Chocolates

 

The other day I came home to a box of Benchic Chocolates at my store step and was totally delighted to discover homemade, raw, organic, and vegan chocolate squares. These silky smooth and almost fudge-like chocolates are made with only six simple ingredients: cacao, honey, lucuma, Himalayan sea salt, goji berries, and almonds. Nearly all of these items benefit your body with properties like flavanols, minerals, vitamins, fiber, and protein.   If there's such thing as sin-free chocolates, these are they!

For those who don't like honey, the distinct flavor can be detected in these sweets, albeit, subtly thanks to the strong, rich cacao flavor.  My book club went gaga for these treats and especially enjoyed them with red wine.  If I were to rate these chocolates at large, I'd give them 3.5 cherries, but for the "healthy" world, I'd give them 5 enthusiastic cherries.. averaging about a score of 4 cherries overall!

 

 

Thank you Benchic Chocolate for sending me this delicious box! For more information on how to order your own Benchic Chocolates, click here. They are a must try!

 

Michael Mishcer Chocolates

I ordered Michael Mishcer Chocolates immediately after seeing the Daily Candy coverage on their unique BBQ filled chocolate.  I saw other tempting options on the site like Root Beer, Salted Caramel, and Lavender Honey- I couldn't wait!

((Sigh)) Alas..the chocolates weren't worth the "weight". The chocolate was so crunchy that all I could taste was the liquid fillings that bathed my mouth as I kept chomp, chomp, chomping the sturdiest chocolate shells I've ever had. This experience was the opposite of "melt-in-your-mouth," and thus, didn't allow me to relish, let alone taste the quality or nature of the chocolate itself.  

It's always a bummer to dole out poor ratings, but what can I say, it's my job to truthfully guide you with the best! 

 

 For more information on Michael Mishcer Chocolates, click here. 

 

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I don't know about you, but the theme of my whole weekend has been FOOD, FOOD, and then some more FOOD. OH-my, I'm in serious need of following my own Thinny Tips! Ha.

On Saturday night I attended the glorious Taste of Beverly Hills at the Hilton. Serious kudos to Food and Wine and all the organizers for putting on such a successful event!!

Photo from DiannaTakesaBite! :)

Instead of reviewing everything, I'm just going to share snap-shots of the sweetest highlights! 

 

The Chocolate Pudding from Nate 'n Al's was thick, rich and delicious. The consistency was almost as dense as cream cheese and the strong cocoa flavor was totally decadent.

The fresh Rugelach from Nate 'n Al's melted in my mouth!

 

This "Blum's Coffee Crunch Cake" from Valerie Confections completely delighted me. Two layers of chiffon cake frosted in coffee whipped cream and topped with chunks of coffee honeycomb! So fun!

 

These 'smore cups were a great idea, but my marshmallow was a bit hard. I would have better enjoyed the treat if a warm and gooey marshmallow melted in my mouth.  The textured layers below with crunchy chocolate balls, though, salvaged the dessert.

 

The salted caramel ice-cream from Carmela Ice-cream was a bit salty and burnt in flavor for all of our tastes, but the strawberry-cream scoop beneath it was perfection.

 

These Zucchini Terrine bites from District with spiced mouse and walnut praline were original and surprisingly good.  More importantly, District had one of my favorite offerings at the whole event! Their Venison Relleno with Goat Cheese and smoked Corn Puree was truly an amazing experience!

 

I had these divine Dulce de Leche cheesecake bars with sprinkled sea-salt on top at a BBQ last night.

 

Perhaps one of my most FAVORITE treats of the weekend were these To-Die for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies, made my by friend, "the Dainty Vegetarian," Leslie Sarna! It's unbelievable that these cookies are also Gluten-Free and have no animal fats!  Click here for this awesome recipe!

 

Wow- and that's just what I had pictures for!  Well, I hope you all had Labor Day weekends as Tasty as mine, and if not, may you have been working out every day for me!  

Tasty Tuesday Video - Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Hi everyone! It's officially my new favorite day of the month, Tasty Tuesday!

This past week I traipsed the UCLA, Westwood Village until I found myself in the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, where the nicest manager let me film inside his shop and even dip my own pretzels in the kettle of freshly made, insanely delicious caramel. 
MMMMMMMmmmmm, I'm literally dreaming about those pretzel sticks and candy covered apples as I write this entry!

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory holds a dear place in my heart as I used to visit the shop in Colorado with my family on winter vacation. There was always a massive teddy bear sitting on the bench outside of the snow and just seeing him signaled joy and delights ahead (usually in the form of chocolate covered honeycomb :)

Anyway, check out the video! See how gorgeous those Apples are!? These impressive treats would made the perfect gifts! If you're near UCLA, you really must drop in this delicious little shop. :)

For more information on the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, or to even order online, click here!

To see my first Tasty Tuesday video, click here!

Dark Chocolate Almonds from Trader Joes

I've confessed my crush on Trader Joes in the past, and I've gotta say, that Joe still sure knows how to trade. This time he's brought us "Sea Salt and Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds."  Basically, dangerous chunks of goodness that you can justify for their healthy, protein packed almonds and antioxidant rich chocolate flavonoids, combined with addicting granules of sea salt and crystalized flakes of freshly cut sugar cane.  Mmm.  Coming in a plastic container from a common grocery store, I can't tout these as the highest quality, most luxurious dessert item, but I can say, they're darn good and will satisfy certain cravings.

Image from ctbites.com 

Dark Chocolate Bacon Bar from Vosges Haute Chocolate

 Bleck.  I love chocolate and I love bacon, and I'm a huge fan of the sweet & salty fad, so I thought that these two sinfully delicious ingredients together would yield hot-love in Vosges Haute Chocolat's "Mo's Dark Bacon Bar." Oy, more like a hot mess! Truly, I'm grimacing as I write, trying to disintegrate the aftertaste of bad bacon with sweet cocoa.  

While the ingredients look fine enough with uncured pork that's been seasoned with sea salt, white pepper, and celery juice (eh?), I almost think they should have just fried up some crispy strips of Oscar Mayer for a familiar and pleasing result.  Ironically, the bacon in this bar tastes artificial or bad, like the shredded, unwanted bits that you find waiting around at a salad bar.  

This bar's only saving grace is the fine quality chocolate used with its 62% cacao, but at $6.50 a pop at Whole Foods(!!!), the Dark Bacon Bar is a complete Pass!

Liliput Truffles by Sprüngli

Wow- so many 5 cherry reviews lately! What a sweet summer it's been :) Just the other day my guy surprised me with a little box of Swiss chocolates by Sprüngly.  These tiny truffles were so darling and delicious, you couldn't stop from popping them in your mouth as they'd instantly melt away.

Sprungli's delicate truffles are not much larger than a Gumdrop and have exceptionally thin shells that envelop soft and flavorful ganache.  My guy, who not only claims to dislike all sweets, but furthermore, hates chocolate, couldn't keep his hands off of my gift.  Well then, I guess there are some exceptions in life, especially for divine little boxes of extraordinary truffles. 

For more info on Sprüngly, click here. 

Dibs Ice Cream Bon Bons

 I often find Dibs at the movie theaters and sporting events and when I'm craving a little ice-cream and a little chocolate, these Nestle Crunch covered ice-cream bon bons suffice.  That said, the quality of the ingredients and overall experience are downright average. I still buy them every other time I'm at the Staples Center, though I'd rather be eating Choco's! (click here for my Choco's review)

White Chocolate from Tea Infusions

I couldn't resist the darling vintage packaging of the Tea Infusions chocolate bars at Whole Foods.  The Chamomile & Honey white chocolate particularly caught my attention since I grew up loving the fairest chocolate. Plus, I already have a go-to dark chocolate bar (Sweet Riot, as seen here). 

Hmm, I wasn't blown away by the first few bites, but the more I ate it, the more I couldn't stop, and before I knew it, the whole bar was gone. Not my intention.  The mild chamomile tea and sweet honey additions well complimented the white chocolate.  Furthermore, this bar contained 30% Cacao, which I could also detect.  Thanks to the charming packaging and unique tea-twist, these bars would be lovely additions to gift-bags or stocking stuffers. For the best, plain old white chocolate though, try a Lindt bar.

For more info on Tea Infusions and their other treats online, click here. 

 

 

 

 

Dark Chocolate "UnBAR": Sweet Riot

I eat chocolate everyday, but purely for health reasons, I swear! I actually grew up being much more of a Gummy Bear girl than I was a Snicker's or Hershey's fan. If I did eat chocolate, it was a big slab of Lindt Lindor white chocolate. So why the switch to dark? For the antioxidants, of course! ;)

Sweet Riot's UnBar is the perfect fix with its antioxidant packed chocolate that's made joyfully crunchy with real cacao pieces. I discovered the unBar, of all places, on a Virgin America flight, which truly has the best goodies to order from your seat. The unBAR is delicious, flavorful, and fights free radicals to keep my skin youthful and glowing- HA!

For more info on Sweet Riot and their tasty chocolate options, click here. 

 

 

Mint Brownie from Heirloom LA Catering

Last night I attended an event where I enjoyed mint brownies served up by Heirloom LA Catering.  

This three tiered dessert had a smooth and mildly minty center, sandwiched between an equally smooth and fudgy top and a traditional brownie bottom.   Additionally, this treat featured fine gourmet touches, like the dustings of pure, bitter cocoa powder, a slight tease of sea salt, and a teeny mint sprig garnish on top.  

Ooh La la~

For more info on Heirloom LA Catering, click here. 

 

Brownies from Dancing Deer Baking Company

Love free samples at Whole Foods! Without them, I'm not sure I would have discovered these beyond-delicious, all natural, Peanut Butter Brownies by the Dancing Deer Baking Company!  These dark fudge brownies lay beneath a drizzle of peanut butter and have roasted, salted peanuts mixed throughout the batter to give it the perfect sweet-and-salty combo that makes the best treats addictive and crave-worthy. Mmmmmmmm, an easy 5 Cherries!~~

For more info on the Dancing Deer Baking Co., click here.  

 
 

Chocolate Covered Strawberries at the Monterey Plaza Hotel

Fresh off the tail of our engagement, my man and I, (eh hem) or should I say, my Fiance and I drove down to Monterey to celebrate Feb 14th at the gorgeous Monterey Plaza Hotel where chocolate covered strawberries and champagne awaited us in our room.

Might I digress, for a moment to declare. OHMYGAWD, the Monterey Plaza Hotel is one of the most luxurious, romantic, and special places I've ever snuck away to. It jets out over the ocean where the waves are so dramatic and the air so fresh, that one feels swept away in a romance novel.  Plus, the food is UHmazing there. Amazing.

 

Anyway, chocolate covered strawberries awaited us in our room and I have to say.. I'm not usually a choc-strawberry girl.  In general, I don't think fruit has a role in my desserts.  Unless it's banana.. otherwise, fruit is too zingy and healthy to be much fun. That said, these chocolate-covered strawberries were totally delicious. Even my guy agreed, and he never likes sweets (I know, crazy).

The strawberries were sweet and ripe and enveloped in a particularly delicious chocolate shell. Together, chocolate and strawberry danced in my mouth before their champagne bath.

I guess you'd have to stay a the Monterey Plaza Hotel in order to try these delectable treats... but really, would that be so bad?  A 5-cherry experience all around!

For more info on the Monterey Plaza Hotel, click here.

 

 

To see some photos, click below

A Delicious Chocolate Molten Lava Cake Recipe

Oh dear lord, how delicious and sumptuous does this dessert look?!  This Molten Lava Cake comes from my friend's darling blog. Click here to see step by step instructions, with gorgeous photos, on how to make this romantic treat for your special someone this Valentine's day.  :)

 

 

K Chocolatier Chocolates

K Chocolatier offers unique, often times dark chocolates that get me giddy for a few reasons.  

1) The stores have oodles of free samples that I can't keep my hands off of.  Since we all know free samples have no calories, a stop into a K Chocaltier shop is nothing short of delightful.  

2) They're unusually expensive chocolates that come in the most gorgeous boxes, adorned with realistic paper roses. My guy made me swoon on our first Valentine's Day by purchasing from this upscale shop. I knew immediately that he had made a significant purchase (Yay! He must really Like me!) and I still have the box for keepsakes.  

3) Vodka Balls, need I say more?

Finally, it should be mentioned that Diane Kron of K Chocolatier, the same lady who sits behind the cash register, used to make her famous truffles (with a family recipe from Europe) for Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  Now, if that's not fancy, I don't know what is.~   

 

  

 

 For more info on K Chocolatier, click here. 

 

XOXO

Flourless Chocolate Cake at Whole Foods

My friend's been trying to get me to try the flourless chocolate cake from Whole Foods forever, but it always looked so uneventful and boring that I couldn't bring myself to buy it.  She finally brought it to book club and the verdict was unanimous.. Completely and utterly delicious.

This fudgy "cake" is so dense, cool, thick, and rich, that it's almost like spooning away at a gigantic truffle. It's not for the faint of heart...enjoy with friends or brace yourself for a long work-out the next day! 

Chocolaterie Wanders Chocolates

Ooh la la, I just discovered Chocolatiere Wanders from the Washington D.C. area, and aren't they the sophisticated little chocolate treats! These hand-made European styled chocolates truly melt in your mouth with their delicate shells and manageably petit sizes.  

These elegant chocolates would go brilliantly with fine wine, pearls, and a classy Chanel suit. (Forget that I'm wearing a bathrobe now.. and yet, they still taste amazing).  

For more info on Chocolaterie Wanders, confections that surely play a role in persuading our DC politicians, click here. 

 

 

ChoclatiQue Chocolates

As the Millionaire Matchmaker, Patti Stanger, says: "Chocolate will warm a girl's heart and warm a guy's bed." Yes, I really did just quote Patti Stanger... it won't happen again.

Well nothing could be more true for these heavenly morsels made by ChoclatiQue.  After trying back-to-back boxes of chocolates this week that have ranged from average to typically delightful, this box came out of left field, surprising me with sinfully gooey centers, colorful designs, and exotic flavors (Madagascar Vanilla Cola, anyone?)

ChocolatiQue chocolates are truly a unique and must-try experience!!!

For more info on ChoclatiQue, click here :)

 

 

Chocolates: Lake Champlain Chocolates

MMmmm! Yummy! Lake Champlain Chocolates are a sturdier chocolate with firm shells that break with a crunch.  While they don't have a thin-shell that simply melts in your mouth, the smooth fillings are so tasty and fresh with their fine and quality ingredients, that I don't begrudge the crunch.  Instead, of immediately melting away, they do a sultry Cha Cha with my taste buds and I like it!

These delicious, organic, and Kosher chocolates from Vermont can be found in specialty stores like Whole Foods or ordered online at their site. :)

For more info on Lake Champlain Chocolates, click here.

 

Bodega Chocolates

I ordered Bodega Chocolates online as I was "researching" Chocolate.com and thought they looked promising in the photos.

Ehh, I really wasn't impressed. I think a measure of great chocolate is the ability to melt in your mouth and let the flavor of fine ingredients dance on your tongue without being drowned out by sugar. These chocolates were a bit firm and rubbery on the outside with fillings that were overly sweet.  Frankly, I might find better chocolates in a drug store. Eeeg, I hate giving poor reviews :(

For more info on Bodega Chocolates, click here. 

Chocolate and Fudge at Figi's

Every now and then I receive a catalog from a Wisconsin brand called Figi's.  I figured, what the heck, I'm the Dessert Darling, I can order myself a few chocolates and finally see what this brand is all about.

Um, all about amazing deliciousness is what they're all about! I demolished the fudge that I only intended on having one bite of and the the turtle caramel nut cluster didn't last much longer.  The blueberry chocolates were a bit sweet and citrusy for me, but if you're a cherry cordial person, you might enjoy the variation.  Finally the divinity was somewhat saccharine for my tastes, but still resembled a pillow cloud of loveliness.  

For more info on Figi's, click here! Btw, my order came with freebies- Woo!

   

 

 

Teuscher Chocolates

Teuscher chocolates please and delight even the snootiest of chocolate connoisseurs.  Finely made with chocolate that's been directly imported from Zurich, Switzerland, Teuscher features popular morsels like the signature Champagne Truffles (a favorite for weddings), Milk and Dark Buttercrunch, and Bailey's Irish Cream, to name a few. Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment, in my book, is their ability to create divine white chocolate truffles... no easy feat for sure.

Additionally, Teuscher boasts whimsical and joyful packaging that would delight children and love-birds alike.  A courting gentleman could truly score points this Valentine's day by investing in a box of Teuscher chocolates.

For more info on Teuscher Chocolates, click here. 

    

 

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

So right now I'm up in Sun Valley skiing and of course, when one's in the Rocky Mountains, one must have Rocky Mountain Chocolate. 

I fondly remember stops into the Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory as a kid to get chocolate covered honey-comb and rocky road bars, but this time I'm an adult (or something like that) and have a far more critical pallet. 

I opted for the nice round truffles to see how those compare to other gift-able chocolates.  Mmm not bad. BUT, I must say, there's a huge discrepancy in quality between the milk chocolate treats(4.5 cherries) and the white chocolate covered truffles (1.5 cherries), which even look sketchy in their bleached shade of white.  Three and a half cherries overall for a sweet special stop in the rockey mountains!

Godiva Chocolates

Oh Godiva tried and true

it's been a while since I've had you

but then you appear

from out of the blue

delighting my my taste-buds 

reminding me Oooh!

You're better than I remember!

4.5 Cherries I give to you :)

 

Chocolates at Compartes

These chocolates are absolutely Fantastic!  In the darling little Brentwood shop, Compartes,  you can see the chocolate handlers make each morsel of joy with passion and care.  

In addition to exotic flavors like "Honey+ Peanut Butter + Sea Salt" and "Spicy Chili Pepper," these chocolates are beautifully painted with playful designs and can even be customized for you!

Because the outer, chocolate shell layer is a little thick, these chocolates don't have quite the melt-in-your-mouth quality of a full 5-Cherry rated chocolate, but I shall still file Compartes in the 5-Cherry section because it is worthy of the extra eyeballs.  

These chocolates would make lovely gifts for anyone!

For more info on Compartes, click here. 

Pumpkin Cheese Tart and Chocolate Bark at Goodie Bag

Oh Goodie Goodie!!  I've not only found the tastiest, most amazing homemade creations (yes, creations), but also, I've found a party planning/dessert catering company that stands for all things delicious, fun, and magical... values that rank high on DD's list.

Goodie Bag event planning was developed by Arielle Adelman to bring the simple joys and fun back into life, and indeedy it has with me.  I brought the Pumpkin Cheese Tart with Ginger Streusel and Gingersnap Crust (whew that's a mouthful!),  Chocolate Ginger Bark and these other crazy dessert balls with chocolate, caramel, and pretzels to my book-club.  The girls were in absolute awe of the dessert tray and demolished every treat before the night was over. 

If you're in Los Angeles and looking for fun, festive, and creative desserts that pack a joyful punch, or are needing to plan an event (anything ranging from b-day parties to client meetings), you must check out Goodie Bag!

For more info on Goodie Bag, click here. 

 

Dessert Tray with Punpkin Cheese Tarts, Streusel, & Chocolate Bark

 

 

 

Flourless Chocolate Cake at The Little Next Door

Hmm, Ok, in short, this dessert was not "worth the weight."  

I love The Little Next Door and frequent it often for its amazing and fresh French cuisine, which is why I'm bummed to report that their flourless chocolate cake was a small mound of dense chalkiness.  The whipped-cream was the hero of the cake, giving it much needed moistness.  However, the cream was whipped so light-as-air that it only punctuated how dense the mound on my plate was.  

Finally, the white chocolate pirouette could have really saved the day since I love white chocolate. Alas, good white chocolate is hard to pull off and this was no exception.  

Sorry Little Next Door, may your other desserts fair better on my subsequent visits~

Flourless Chocolate Cake at Cecconi's Restaurant

Hats off to Chef Porter of the fabulous Italian restaurant Cecconi's! Thanks to him I experienced an incredible trio of desserts at a friend's birthday last night.

Most exquisite of the the offerings was the:

Flourless Chocolate Cake, so cool and creamy my friend claimed, "It's smoother than George Clooney hitting on a cocktail waitress."

EGSactly. That's exactly how to describe this slab of deliciousness. Mmm, I swoon just thinking about it. If you need a chocolate fix, I urge you to visit this fine establishment. At $9 a slice, it doesn't come cheap, but for the George Clooney experience, it's well worth every penny.

Additionally, I enjoyed:

Summer Berries Pannacotta, lovely chilled, creamy custard with plump berries, and fresh mint garnish.

Peach Gelee (special of the night) This gelatinous delicacy was made with fresh peaches and Italian sparkling wine for an alcoholic kick that was tempered by home-made peach gelato.

Bravo!

For more info on Ceconni's, click here. 

    

John Kelly Chocolates

MMMmmmmmmm

MMMMMMMMMMM

OHmyGod, YES!

Mmmmmmmmmm

This is how I can best describe John Kelly "chocolates." I put "chocolates" in quotations because to put these heavenly creations in the same category as Hersheys, Nestles, or any other run of the mill cocoa treat, would be like saying Meryl Streep and Lauren Conrad are both "actresses."

To be fair, John Kelly calls his treats "Truffle Fudge Bites."  How well put Mr. Kelly.  A thin layer of hard chocolate envelopes a mound of divine, melt in your mouth, flavorful, not quite truffle- not quite fudge, dreaminess that is so mind-blowing, it converts even the haters.  

The "Dark Chocolate with French Grey Sea Salt" has that sweet and salty combo that has made chocolate covered pretzels and chips so popular of late, and the "Chocolate with Walnuts" melted in my mouth like eating my mom's homemade brownie mix before it hit the oven.

Hats off to John Kelly.. I've never tasted chocolate so seductive as your's.  You put a spell on me~

Click here for more info on John Kelly Chocolates

Choco's Ice-Cream Bon Bons

Perfection.

These delicious treats taste way more fun and decadent than something you'd purchase from a grocery store. And yet, there they are in the frozen aisle of Whole Foods and Trader Joes (under the TJ label though).  

Mmmmm.

"Ice-cream Treats with a cookie crust, dipped in rich chocolate!" says the Choco Bon Bon website. Aw, but they don't specify that the chocolate layer is so good it could stand alone (unlike the waxy, thin shells on Dibbs and other ice-cream treats), or that the vanilla ice-cream is as luxurious as Haagen-Dazs, or that the cookie adds a unique dimension to the traditional bon bon, soaking up the ice-cream and delighting all around.  

Furthermore, these treats are 100% natural, and "only 60 calories per Bon Bon." Which is great if you can limit yourself to a few at time.  They are decadent enough that, for most people, that should be no problem.

 

 

 

Hansen's Cakes Cupcakes

Yum! 

Well, the first few bites of the Hansen's vanilla/vanilla cupcake with white chocolate chips (Yowza!) had me swooning!  "These cupcakes give Sprinkles a run for their money!" I thought. They're very Fun cupcakes to eat. While there is as much icing as there is actual cake, they are manageably sized to fit in your mouth for a whole bite.  Furthermore, the delightful toppings enhance the cupcakes by adding color and texture, (versus distracting from the experience with clumpy add-ons). 

While delicious, the icing has a taste that's reminiscent of cakes from a grocery store bakery, which can be a bad thing I know, but I swear, those first few bites were completely divine. 

The chocolate/chocolate did not disappoint either. 

The mini carrot and red cupcakes were a little dry and not nearly as impressive as the regular sized cupcakes, I'd pass on these.

Now. I must say. These cupcakes are to be enjoyed just one at at time.. maybe even half at a time, because if you indulge yourself, they'll turn on you. What tasted like heaven 1 minute ago starts tasting like toxic wax the next, and you might feel a sugar rush that's not too unlike the feeling of MSG in bad Chinese food. Over all, I give these cupcakes 4 cherries, because for the money and initial experience, they're great. (Only $4 for three large cupcakes and two minis!! That's like the cost of Sprinkles cupcake). These cakes would be great for birthday parties and children's functions. For classier soirees, I might suggest something else.

Click here for more info on Hansen's Cakes.