American Chocaltiers

[Suzi Edwards]

was wondering if anyone can recommend a good american chocalatier that delivers? can you guess that I've forgotten someone, and what better way to make it up to them than chocolate?

[Mudpuppie]

I've always wanted to try McElrath's chocolate for grownups. He's in Minneapolis, I think, but I found this mail order link: http://www.cocoaplanet.com/all.McElrath.html

[Fat Guy]

http://jacquestorres.com/

In Brooklyn, even. It doesn't get more American than Brooklyn.

[docsconz]

Mariebelle is another. Their hot chocolate mixes are particularly good. I think their chocolates are over-priced.

[Suzi Edwards]

went for mariebelle...it looked like they were the only ones who could deliver (but did charge me $32 for the privelidge)

[CRUZMISL]

another vote for mrchocolate.com (Jacques Torres). His candies are beyond reproach.

Joe

[docsconz]

went for mariebelle...it looked like they were the only ones who could deliver (but did charge me $32 for the privelidge)

While good, one thing they are not is inexpensive.

[jmcguire]

Try Jubilee CHocolates in Philadelphia: http://www.jubileechocolates.com/. Hugely recommended in a different area of eGullet.

[viaChgo]

Try Vosges haut-chocolat. They've got some really great & unique truffles.

[jordyny]

Jacques Torres walks on water. Try his chocolate Macadamian nuts. Also his hot chocolate mixes are awesome! He also has these really interesting chocolate cornflakes.

[tsquare]

Can't find a web site for Essential, but here are three others in Seattle:

http://www.heavenly-chocolates.com/

http://www.franschocolates.com/

http://dilettante.com/

[Fat Guy]

Torres is actually making chocolate, as in taking cocoa beans and turning them into chocolate. I'm not sure if any other company mentioned here is doing that. In other words, Torres is a full-blown chocolatier in every sense of the word. The rest are really candy-makers, melting purchased chocolate in order to form candies. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I do think Torres is in a special category.

[tsquare]

Essential will be, once their operation is in full operation. They bought the original Red Hook brewery building (was a trolley barn?) to create a chocolate factory - bean to candy. I believe they plan to be substantially organic as well.

[Raynickben]

www.moonstruckchocolate.com

[tsquare]

www.moonstruckchocolate.com

oh yeah, we got some of these in the office. The truffles are particularly good.

[AzRaeL]

one bit of niggling.

title should be American Chocaltiers who do delivery *LOL*

saying "who deliver" could mean "who are as good as they say they are"

[mb7o]

Another one... L.A. Burdick

[Brad Ballinger]

Two more.

Just Truffles, in St. Paul, MN (www.justtruffles.com).

And for both baking and eating, Scharffen Berger (www.scharffenberger.com)

[phaelon56]

Jospeh Schmidt ConfectionsA bit less high end than Jacques Torres but delivering a good product via Internet or phone orders is Joseph Schmidt of San Francisco.

I've found their delivery to be reliable and the truffles as good as most of the Belgian products I've ever tried.

[Suzanne F]

Too late for Xmas, but Chocolat Moderne is a new chocolatiere here in NYC. Beautiful, delicious stuff. (Disclosure: Joan is an acqaintance)

[docsconz]

I just received the latest The Rosengarten Report. This month's tasting scoop was on hot chocolate preparations. His absolute favorite rated 5 stars was from L.A. Burdick.. Number 2 was MarieBelle, followed by Les Confitures a L'Ancienne and Vosges Haut-Chocolatand several others at 4 stars. Interestingly Jacques Torres was rated excellent but less than two stars. Interesting reading. I hope to try a few of these.

[skyflyer3]

Ever since Dilletante's stopped carrying their apricot caramels, their chocolate has tasted quite waxy to me. Same with Moonstruck - five years ago they were great, and now they aren't worth sampling. Fran's, however, is excellent - their standards are very high, and the gray salt caramels are to die for. Two years ago, they had an earl grey tea truffle that was a knockout. But my current fav has to be Essential's - even their pates des fruits are excellent.

[joiei]

For the holidays, I used Steven Howard of Kokoa Chocolatier in Tulsa. Truly a thrill to be able to get fresh, hand dipped truffles and madelines without having them shipped in.