Chocolates for Valentine's Day

[amccomb]

I'm looking to order some chocolates for Valentine's day.

In the past I've ordered from Jubilee Chocolates and Vosges Chocolate and really enjoyed them. We like to try something new every year, and here are some places I'm looking at this year:

http://normanloveconfections.com/

http://www.elbowchocolates.com/

http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/

http://www.recchiuti.com/

Has anyone tried any of these places? I would love to hear some opinions.

Thanks!

[annachan]

The only one I've tried is Recchiuti and the chocolate is heavenly. The Fleur de Sel Caramel is my absolute favorite. I also love the Burnt Caramel and Piedmont Hazelnut. I can't pass by the shop without getting a little something for the husband and I to indulge on.

[2010]

http://www.thomashaas.com/

My 4 favorites are:

Salted Caramel Truffle Bittersweet chocolate ganache and golden caramel with a sprinkle of Malden salt from Great Britain

Pink Grapefruit with Campari Truffle White chocolate ganache blended with pink grapefruit juice and Campari

Vij's Garam Masala Spice Dark roasted hazelnuts combined with Vancouver's famous Vij's handmade Garam Masala Spice and crispy wafers

White Chocolate Ganache with Kalamansi Gelée White chocolate ganache paired with a gelée of kalamansi (an orange-lime citrus from the Philippines)

http://www.burdickchocolate.com/

For their cute (and yummy) chocolate mice!

http://www.franschocolates.com/

Her stuffed figs are my favorite!

Edited January 18, 2006 by 2010 (log)

[xdrixn]

http://www.boulela.com/

just got back from LA and these were excellent.

[duckduck]

I'm a fan of Norman Love's work as well as Andrew Shotts.

http://www.garrisonconfections.com/

There is also eG'er Elizabeth Montes. Her website says that ordering online will be available soon. I enjoy her stuff.

http://www.sahagunchocolates.com/

I've yet to try Eg'er John DePaula's stuff but hopefully I will soon.

http://www.depaulaconfections.com/about.html

[Truffle Guy]

I live in Florida and have been to Norman Love's on several occassions, the quality is always high and the chocolates are beautiful.

I also have had the opportunity to spend an afternoon or two with Chris Elbow and can't say enough about him. The quality is outstanding and he has a true passion for the craft. You won't regret ordering his product. I think it is the best I've tasted.

I've also had Recchiuti chocolates and they are equally excellent.

If you want the artistry of Norman Love and the quality of Recchiuti then try Chris Elbow. You really can't go wrong with any of the ones you've listed but I think you will be very pleased with his product.

I'm looking to order some chocolates for Valentine's day.

In the past I've ordered from Jubilee Chocolates and Vosges Chocolate and really enjoyed them.  We like to try something new every year, and here are some places I'm looking at this year:

http://normanloveconfections.com/

http://www.elbowchocolates.com/

http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/

http://www.recchiuti.com/

Has anyone tried any of these places?  I would love to hear some opinions.

Thanks!

←

[etalanian]

My husband, who is a true chocoholic, has always loved getting chocolates for valentine's day from this site:

http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/

We first had them on a trip to Paris, and I've ordered them from their NYC store every year since.

[jdogginla]

http://www.elbowchocolates.com

I'll throw my .02 in and say that Christopher Elbow chocolates are among the best in the country. I've had them...and have met Chris. Great stuff and a great guy!

Also Boule in Los Angeles has great stuff as well.

Edited January 19, 2006 by jdogginla (log)

[joiei]

I also highly recommend Christopher Elbow's chocolates. I have had them and the flavors are excellent. They look just like the pictures on the site also. Like little jewels just sitting there waiting for you to have that indulgent moment. And to go into his shop in Kansas City and see a whole display case full is fun.

Christopher posts on eG when he has time.

Edited January 19, 2006 by joiei (log)

[Linda Grishman]

Apart from the freshness and quality...the personal service is second to none.

http://www.vermontchocolate.com/

Edited January 27, 2006 by Linda Grishman (log)

[Africa Flores]

I tried Chuao chocolates they are very good....

Next I will have to try boule patisserie.

[Kouign Aman]

I just had the pleasure of tasting von Euw Chocolatier chocolates. I am now trying to figure out where to buy them. Black current and passionfruit flavors are calling me.

[ChocoLover]

Hi just want to ask if anyone has any though about how do we make chocolate as

a favorable present during this year valentine's day?

I want to make some for her.

thanks for anyone advice.

[RobertM]

Chocolate covered strawberry's paired w/an excellent cabernet

Last year my wife and I did a "chocolate tasting party" - for that, I made several varities of truffles and had different manufactured chocolates (white, milk and dark) around the dining room table for our guests to taste and compare. Different percentages of chocolate, single source chocolates - (hopefully you get the idea).

I wanted to take it to a different level besides just "tasting" different chocolates. I made a three course menu of desserts made from (1) white chocolate (2) milk chocolate and (3) dark chocolate. We paired those up with different wines

For exampe: White Chocolate Rounds of Mousse paired w/Jackson-Triggs (Vidal Icewine)

Milk Chocolate Cheesecake paired w/Francis Ford Coppola Directors Cut (2005 Pinot Noir)

Flourless Chocolate Cake (La Bete Noire) paired w/St. Francis ("Old Vines" Zinfindel 2004) & Fonseca (Porto Bin No. 27)

We had a wonderful response, everyone enjoyed themselves, went home with a sugar buzz and a wine buzz - and besides, what a tremendous way to celebrate Valentines Day -

I began a thread elsewhere on this years party -

[FWED]

I have for the past several years made small dark chocolate shells filled with a Fleur de Sel caramel cream. These have proved to be very popular. In fact so popular that I have started doing them at other times during the year. The caramel cream almost melts in your mouth and is very sensual. The shells are the same ones that were used in the picture to the left under my name.

Edited January 17, 2009 by FWED (log)

[mrose]

I have for the past several years made small dark chocolate shells filled with a Fleur de Sel caramel cream.  These have proved to be very popular.  In fact so popular that I have started doing them at other times during the year.  The caramel cream almost melts in your mouth and is very sensual.  The shells are the same ones that were used in the picture to the left under my name.

←

I always make passion fruits hearts and caramel hearts for Valentines day.

[Darienne]

Should I even reply?

First of all I made a few dozen red heart decorated lollipops for our local small library to sell in February to make a bit of money. The staff has been so good to me getting me all the best chocolate books through ILL.

By Valentines Day, we'll be back in Moab and I'll make chocolate heart lollipops for the children in the Multi-cultural Centre. You can't find a more appreciative crew than young kids.

No, I am not a constant doer of good deeds...I just happen to like making lollipops right now and am learning to decorate them with Royal icing.

Friends in Moab will be invited to one of our weekly dessert dinners. Dinner once a week is only dessert. I love it!