I need a new chocolate source...

[bigbadbuff]

that has product available online. I am mostly interested in truffles/gift sets. The nicest stuff available to me locally is Godiva, which I like, despite its rep here, but I want to try something new.

 

[Johnny_5]

Arent you in NYC? There should be a slew good chocolatiers. Why buy online? You cant taste that way. If you dont mind going to the upper east side there is Vosges on the corner of 83rd and Madison that is supposedly rather good. I believe that they also do ecommerce http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/boutiques

 

[bigbadbuff]

I think I'm going to try Fran's

http://www.franschocolates.com/home.php

 

[RJmanbearpig]

Burdick's is v good.

 

[Edward Appleby]

I like Teuscher, but it's rather dear.

 

[goodlife]

Vosges. They are based in Chicago, but have shops in NY and Vegas. Self described as Haute Chocolate, they seem a little bizare when you first look at the ingrediants. However, they totally make sense when you taste them. I like them because they are a little out of the ordinary.

http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/

 

[romafan]

Christopher Norman are very nice.....

http://www.christophernormanchocolates.com/

 

[Dmax]

Not a huge fan of Vosges but I would certainly prefer them to Godiva. When I tasted Vosges a couple of years ago the flavors were certainly interesting, but they lacked balance, the chocolate shell was too thick and were not very fresh. Freshness being very important, I prefer Kee's Chocolates and Maison du Chocolat when looking for "French" type chocolates (less sweet, more intense chocolate ganache). If you like "Belgian/American" type chocolates (sweeter, less intense chocolate flavors, more fruit driven fillings) you should try Pierre Marcolini and Jacques Torres. All have stores in NYC.

 

[samblau]

I went to Michel Cluizel in ABC Home on 18th St. near Union Sq. I dropped about $200 buying gifts which I was told were very good...what I remember most is being the only customer and kidding around with the one sales girl "hey, any samples" to which I was issued a stern "NO" right after she got me to sign up for their mailing list.

 

[kaxixi]

Originally Posted by Dmax

Freshness being very important, I prefer Kee's Chocolates and Maison du Chocolat when looking for "French" type chocolates (less sweet, more intense chocolate ganache). If you like "Belgian/American" type chocolates (sweeter, less intense chocolate flavors, more fruit driven fillings) you should try Pierre Marcolini and Jacques Torres.

All have stores in NYC.

+1 for Maison.

 

[thomas.336]

I got just an incredible birthday gourmet chocolate gift baskets present! A friend of mine sent it to me via mail and i was sooo excied that i ask him where he got that from and I am for sure doing that for Christmas for some friends outside the US.
You should try that too it is just fantastic and such a great idea!

 

[syn]

Originally Posted by Dmax

Freshness being very important, I prefer Kee's Chocolates

Have to agree with Dmax. Kee's is easily the best that I've had in the city. I went there on Valentine's Day and waited for quite some time to nab their goods. My girlfriend absolutely devoured them, but I did get to steal a few. Couldn't resist.

 

[JP Tod]

Chocolate Moderne (http://www.chocolatmoderne.com/), also located in NYC, is quite good. They do the usual truffles, etc., but they also do these "bistro bars" with amazing fillings:

Hazelnut HystÃ

rie ~ deeply roasted hazelnut paste with milk chocolate

Parlzez Pistache ~ toasted pistachio paste with white chocolate

Sesame Samba ~ toasted sesame paste with milk chocolate

Pumpkin Pique-Nique ~ toasted pumpkin seed paste, milk chocolate and pumpkin pie spices

La Dolce Grapefruit ~ with fresh squeezed grapefruit

Banane FlambÃ

e ~ with bananas and Courvoisier Cognac

Apricôte Bask ~ with apricots and Bas Armagnac

Caramel Caresse ~ with Poire Williams Pear and Eau de Vie

Madame 'X'tasy ~ with dark chocolate, Illy Espresso, and fleur de sel

Havana Heat ~ dark chocolate with habanero pepper (pleasantly hot)

Raspberry Rendez-vous ~ dark chocolate with raspberries

The Player ~ dark chocolate with Single Malt Scotch

 

[FreedBird]

Amedei Chocolate. Unbelievable stuff. It gets pricey in the states, about $10 a bar, but it is well worth it IMO.

 

[GQgeek]

Apparently you can now get axe body spray in chocolate. Enjoy.