The Belgians take their chocolate quite seriously... we visited Neuhaus, Leonidas, and about a billion others. I was even told that the royal family in Belgium have publicly stated that Neuhaus pralines are their pralines of choice. and indeed, the pralines at Neuhaus are reallly yummy. Out of all their truffles, many are made au naturel, without chocolate molds and with a rough coating of shaved chocolate or sliced almonds or whatever else. The natural style truffles are definitely my favorite. Fresh ganache, interesting combinations of textures. For those of you who are curious, there are a bunch of Neuhaus shops in NYC.
First, let me just say, Happy Valentine's Day.
The first chocolate shop I spotted when I got to Amsterdam yesterday was called Australian Homemade - made in Belgium, according to the guy behind the counter. What Australia has to do with it, I have no idea. However, about the chocolate - they were pretty, the whole cocoa transfer thing is certainly popular in all the shops here so far. the truffles were large and square, fashionably stacked on transparent tiles, and while the flavors weren't all that unusual, they were pretty good. fresh with a good soft ganache. I also tried something called a "bonzer" which was incredible, a lemon/ginger cream layer thing with cashews enrobed in dark chocolate. Still not sure that the actual definition of bonzer is... I tried to go to their website so I could be better informed before writing this, but it froze up the computer at the internet coffeeshop I'm in right now.
And I quote:
"Framingham native encourages appreciation through tasting get-togethers
Dana Zemack specializes in temptation. Her lure is chocolate -- lots and lots of chocolate. Come to a party where Zemack is presiding and chances are, you'll develop an appreciation for chocolate that goes far beyond a quick handful of M&Ms...
Ever since my spot on Boston's Channel 4 this past Sunday, people have been emailing me to ask where they can buy El Rey chocolate bars, which I declared was my ultimate favorite during the segment. El Rey chocolate is made in Venezuela out of 100% Venezuelan cacao beans, which are unusually flavorful and aromatic.
The bars are a little hard to find in the boston area, but you can always get them online at Chocolate Source or World Wide Chocolate. Both are great online resources for all sorts of gourmet bars.
Ok, I've got to admit, I'm a little behind on my Tasty Thoughts here... I've got some chocolate info that can't be ignored though. It's a real chocolate find. Chocolate Springs! Based in Lenox, MA, they make the some of the most pure and fresh truffles I have ever tasted, and I've tried most everything available in the Boston area. I brought them over to my family's house the other day, and we sat around and tasted each one of their 9-piece assortment, and each one had this amazingly clear and fresh taste.
They're sold at the South End Formaggio or you can visit www.chocolatesprings.com to get their order number and give them a ring. Soon enough, I think within a month or so, we'll probably be able to order direct from their website.
If you're ever in Harvard Square in Cambridge, you should do what me and my friend Mariah did last night:
1. Go to Burdicks on Brattle Street and pick up some chocolate. It can be expensive, but they've recently been selling seconds, which are chocolates that are about 2 weeks old, so they're not sold at full price. Of course, fresh chocolate is the best, but Burdick's seconds are still excellent and absolutely delightful, and the fact that you can buy $20 worth of chocolate for about $5 makes it super worth it.
2. Ok, so you've got the chocolates. Then go over to Cafe Paradiso (on Eliot St) to get some gelato ice cream. Mariah and I ordered their passionfruit gelato, which was utterly to die for, and then we used it as a palette cleanser as we tasted each of the Burdicks chocolates.
It was quite the evening. Ice cream and chocolate for dinner!
And I quote:
"Dana Zemack knew she was onto something when the first chocolate-making seminar she taught at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education drew a waiting list 25 people long..."
January 2005 is the previous archive.
July 2005 is the next archive.
