Artisan chocolatiers around the country cater to more sophisticated palates. – By Ashley Breeding
Anyone who declares, “there’s no such thing as bad chocolate,” surely hasn’t had a taste of the gourmet. And you needn’t be a connoisseur to detect the difference between machine-made morsels and the artisan variety. To the chocolate lover’s delight, the world is seeing a renaissance of homemade and handcrafted confections, among them an array of gourmet chocolates—layered with everything from exotic sea salts to healthy “superfruits” to spicy hot chilies—as pleasing to the eye as they are to the palate. Here, we highlight a handful of the sweetest (and spiciest) treats in your favorite cities.
New York
Among the roomful of treats at La Maison du Chocolat, which has a handful of shops sprinkled throughout the city, find three especially unique artisan chocolates: Akosombo, a pure dark chocolate from Ghana with piquant notes of coffee; Yoko, a chocolate ganache flavored with Russian tea; and Garrigue, a ganache lightly infused with fennel. If you simply can’t decide on one kind, try the Tamanaco gift box—an assortment of blends of pure dark chocolate. (212-744-7117; lamaisonduchocolat.com)
Atlanta
With handmade, all-natural chocolate bars, truffles and more than 50 different signature pieces in any given season, LW Chocolatier is a must-visit for all chocolate lovers traveling to the Atlanta and Buckhead areas. The 70-year-old, fourth-generation family company is hands-on in all production, from the Argentina-born cacao bean to the crafty case display in its Atlanta store. In addition to traditional varieties like marzipan and nougats, the chocolatier also features a modern line of healthy, organic Patagonia fruits, dulce de leche, Champagne truffles and more. (404-467-8503; lwchocolatier.com)
San Francisco
CocoaBella, the Bay Area’s premier “Old World European-fashion” curator of small batch chocolates from around the globe, is celebrating the local artisan chocolate community with a Best of the Bay collection: From classic French-styles “with a twist” to more trendy takes on chocolate, the 43-piece assortment highlights the region’s craftiest chocolatiers in one box. San Francisco’s own Michael Recchiuti lends his milk chocolate-infused lavender and roasted malt and honeycomb creations to the collection, while fellow San Franciscan Poco Dolce bakes outside the box with an Aztec Chile tile. (415-931-6213; cocoabella.com)
Miami
“More than 10 years ago, I created Romanicos with the idea of making people happier and recreating the flavors of my childhood in Venezuela, which cultivates arguably the best cocoa beans in the world,” says Alejandra Bigai, founder and CEO of the Miami-based Romanicos. “My team and I still have the same goal: We believe that everyone deserves a wholesome treat.” The 2012 sofi Award Silver Finalist, which boasts quality chocolates with only “real ingredients” made in small batches to ensure the best quality. From Tipsy Almond truffles to gluten-free, fig-filled bars, there’s something to satisfy every palate. (305-854-9936; romanicoschocolate.com)
Orange County
For the perfect après dinner treat in the heart of the village in Laguna Beach, Calif., march over to The Chocolate Soldier. Tucked in the alley of The Old Pottery Place, the shop—where the owner is the head chocolatier—offers both individual and pre-boxed chocolates “handmade with pride.” Bite into truffles laced with fine liqueur and layered with nuts, fruit crèmes and buttery caramel, among other delicious fillings. For a heart-healthy indulgence, try the out-of-this-world dark chocolate. (949-494-4462; thechocolatesoldier.com)
Houston
The only chocolate shop in Texas to offer Leonidas—a Belgian chocolate that’s flown in fresh every week—Chocolat du Monde features only the finest confections. “We use only the best chocolate,” says owner David Heiland, who lived in Europe for many years while gaining the “joie de vivre.” Spreading that joy to Houstonians and visitors alike, his shop is known for carrying obscure, artisan brands as well as handcrafted Belgian chocolate-covered strawberries and “the best cup of hot chocolate in town”—a tasty and toasty treat in the winter months. (713-520-5600; chocolatdumonde.com)
Aspen
There seems no better place to visit the international Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise than in the place where it began—the Rocky Mountains. While many of the products—propriety recipes developed by the master candy maker—come from the western slope of the mountains in the Durango-based factory, the Aspen shop produces a variety of its own fresh, handcrafted treats. Watch the gourmands at work over gas-fired stoves and copper kettles as they create delicious fudge and candied apples. (970-925-5112; rmcf.com)
Puerto Rico
Serving some of the the freshest chocolates in Puerto Rico, Old San Juan’s Corne Port-Royal Chocolatier regularly imports handcrafted traditional Belgian chocolates. A second floor of the colonial shop houses a “cold room” that preserves the candies from the region’s chocolate-melting climate. The chocolate-covered marzipan, bonbons and cookies are a rich complement to a stroll through historic Old San Juan. (787-725-7744; corne-port-royal.be)
