theconche

Bespoke is a little chocolate shop in NYC that opened this past Spring.  Its address is 6 Extra Place, shown above (insert joke about invisible store).  Chocolatier Rachel Insler does all her production in the little shop and still finds space for some tasteful shelving and a nice sales counter.  Rachel and her staff (there were three other people working when I went, including the register) have no tempering machine, but use a big melter and round truffle molds.  Everyone was very friendly and open; when I first visited the chocolatier was describing her process to a pack of chocolate fiends. (more…)

Chicago can say goodbye to Mars’ Ethel M’s chocolate cafes.  Actually, they already have, which is why Ethel’s is closing down.  Five of six cafes in the Chicago area are closing by the end of April, with #6 to follow.  (more…)

Thanks to a generous friend who just visited from Washington, I’ve had a chance to sample Theo’s bonbons (their shelf life does not allow for them to be sold nationally).  It’s a rare thing…er, kind of…for a bean-to-bar company to make bonbons as well.  Typically a company that specializes in bars doesn’t have the resources or will to make quality bonbons.  Despite Theo’s dedication to organics and fair trade, their flavored bars and new confections are the standouts in their line, and I had high hopes for their bonbons. (more…)