56 replies to this topic

[Tamar G]

This map is informative and fun.

[omnivorette]

Teuscher.

Teuscher Teuscher Teuscher.

[Deb Van D]

Yep, Teuscher champagne truffles. Gives me a shiver down to my toes just to think of them.

[scamhi]

for truffles La Maison du Chocolate for me

[Guglhupf]

'Tis that time of year again when I need to find some tasty chocolates for the special man in my life. (After many trials and errors, I nearly always give him one or two of three never-fail gifts - recherché bourbon, chocolates, and/or fancy Belgian beer.)

Having done the La Maison, Teuscher, Jacques Torres, Vosges, and Neuhaus, I am in search of something new.

Quite a few years ago I was given a box of truffles by 5th Avenue Chocolatiere, which I'd never heard of before, and which appears to be located on Third Avenue. Their web site is entirely in Japanese, and indeed the person who gave me those truffles was. EDIT - This is their English web site, with pictures & prices. My memory of them was that they were extremely rich and creamy, little bricks of chocolate-ness covered in powdered cocoa. Not the most beautiful specimens and messy to eat, but at the time they were massively satisfying to me, though my taste might have evolved since then. Has anyone tried them lately?

Please share your chocolate sources. Desirable qualities are: not too sweet, not overly "interesting" tastes (Vosges was a bit of a flop), fresh/local, and, of course, delicious...

[StephanieL]

Kee's Chocolates over on Thompson Street, though some of the flavors may be a bit too "interesting". The quality is top-notch.

[Guglhupf]

Kee's Chocolates over on Thompson Street, though some of the flavors may be a bit too "interesting". The quality is top-notch.

Yeah, I was thinking of them. The trouble with Vosges is that I don't think all of their flavors work well; some sound original but don't TASTE that interesting, or even better than OK. And they are really expensive. Kee's sounds good actually.

Nobody has anything else to say? Waaah.

[omnivorette]

I love Kee`s, in its category. Very creative.

Teuscher is my favorite in NYC. Second is Maison. Everything else is a distant third.

[Guglhupf]

I love Kee`s, in its category. Very creative.

Teuscher is my favorite in NYC. Second is Maison. Everything else is a distant third.

But, how fresh are those chocolates? My theory has always been that local is better b/c fresher. I love some things from Jacques Torres for that reason - they just taste fresh and not like they've been sitting around. (I know you think they're too sweet.... but give me the dark choc lemon or Earl Grey anytime. Passionfruit hearts are not bad either.)

[omnivorette]

But, how fresh are those chocolates? My theory has always been that local is better b/c fresher. I love some things from Jacques Torres for that reason - they just taste fresh and not like they've been sitting around. (I know you think they're too sweet.... but give me the dark choc lemon or Earl Grey anytime. Passionfruit hearts are not bad either.)

Teuscher flies in chocolates twice a week. I have eaten tons of Teuscher in Zurich, and there is no difference. I am no crazy about Torres chocolates in general. Too sweet. And just not as good quality as Teuscher and Maison.

Torres does not make every single chocolate every day, anyway.

[Guglhupf]

I am no crazy about Torres chocolates in general. Too sweet. And just not as good quality as Teuscher and Maison.

I know, I know...

[omnivorette]

I mean come on, Teuscher and Maison use European products in their stuff. Torres just cannot compete on a very basic level.

And Kee`s is better than Torres anyway. She studied with Torres and then outdid him.

[Aaron T]

Have you looked into the newish Michel Cluizel Chocolate store in ABC home and carpet?

website here

Another good but expensive choice is Pierre Marcolini, on Park Avenue near 60th.

Kee's is indeed a good local choice.

[omnivorette]

Been to both. Teuscher and Maison better.

[Guglhupf]

I mean come on, Teuscher and Maison use European products in their stuff. Torres just cannot compete on a very basic level.

And Kee`s is better than Torres anyway. She studied with Torres and then outdid him.

Look, I'm no Torres groupie, I'm just sayin' there's two or three flavors I like...

Also, I'm not a believer in the "European product=better product" mantra, not always anyhow. It's not like we grow cocoa beans in Europe. When it comes to processing, anyone can learn.

I was hoping that maybe there are some offbeat little chocolate makers it would be fun to discover. Anyone can shop at Maison or Teuscher, but there's no art to it... like, you can find nice clothes at Bergdorf, duh. Not to say that Torres is some offbeat wunderkind. I'm still holding out for some undiscovered treasure; barring that I'll go with Kee's.