Jacques Torres » Markets of New York

Reflections on the Chocolate Show in Time for Valentine’s Day

Yes, I’m a bit late with this posting of the Chocolate Show that took place in New York last November. But since it’s almost Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d post about it now and give you some wonderful chocolate inspiration.

Honestly, I had the impression that the Chocolate Shows were for tourists. Even the one in Paris, with its gigantic subway ads and enticing images. But then I looked into it a bit more, and I thought maybe I should give it a chance. So this year, I went. And I’m here, as a massive chocoholic, to tell you that it was an incredible experience.

I arrived at a peak hour on Saturday, and the crowd was pretty big. But that just made me focus and scout out the chocolate companies I really wanted to see. I was pleased and thrilled to see some of the finest chocolatiers in the world all under one roof.

Through my friend and chocolate maker Matt, I met the incredibly talented French chocolate maker from Roanne, François Pralus. I’ve tried is wonderful Pyramide des Tropiques collection of dark chocolates from around the world at Murray’s Cheese. The packaging is so lovely that you hardly want to break into the chocolate, but definitely do! I took home two hefty bars of dark and milk chocolate filled with hazelnuts and praline that were out completely of this world.

Lyonnais chocolatier Bernachon was there too with their perfectly shiny and wonderful bars, as well as their signature gold-flecked bonbons. Lucy Vanel, an American living in Lyon and author behind the wonderful blog, Lucy’s Kitchen Notebook, graciously introduced us to Bernachon while we were visiting Lyon a few years ago. Again, the chocolates are almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.

It was also wonderful to see New York market based companies at the chocolate show, including Roni-Sue’s Chocolates. Chocolatier Rhonda Kave of the Essex Street Market was happily providing samples of her famous BeerCrunch and even more famous Pig Candy. Spices & Tease, from their new home in the Grand Central Market, featured a chocolate-related tea collection and other spices that go with sweet and savory chocolate dishes.

The tiny golden-bellied chocolate Buddha pictured came to us from Indiana, handmade by Chocolate for the Spirit in Shelbyville. Des Lis Chocolat creates gorgeous and unique bonbons flavored with poppy flower petals. Their poppy flower petal jelly also caught my eye at the Chocolate Show. Rounding out my experience were the rich and exotic almond paste-filled Babouche au Chocolat from La Gazelle D’Or in Paris and Casablanca. And finally, I washed it all down with my old friends, the huge, decadent, scrumptious chocolate chip cookies from Jacques Torres.

These are just a few of the 65+ exhibitors at the Chocolate Show in New York. Is it for tourists? Sure! Is it for New Yorkers with a passion for rich, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and lots of it? Definitely! I was impressed, I was happy, and I spent a lot of extra time at the gym afterwards.

Will I go back next time? Absolutely!

Book Review: Professor Chocolate Presents The Ultimate Guide to Finding Chocolate in NYC

Professor Chocolate helps us find the best bonbons in town

Professor Chocolate Presents: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Chocolate in NYC – Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn is a labor of love, spanning three years of research and discovery (ie. eating a lot of chocolate!) by two friends, fellow chocolate afficcionados, and elementary school teachers, Rob Monahan and Neill Alleva, who together comprise Professor Chocolate.

I am a chocoholic. No bones about it. So I was happily surprised when I found a whole slew of chocolate shops I didn’t know about, as well as all of my favorite ones listed in this fun, quirky guidebook. Several of the best chocolatiers and chocolate shops in the city are in the markets, including Roni-Sue’s Chocolates (at the Essex Street Market); Jacques Torres and Chelsea Market Baskets (at Chelsea Market); NuNu Chocolates (at the Brooklyn Flea, Urban Space NYC Markets, Old Can Factory Markets and more), and Mast Brothers (at the New Amsterdam Market). They’re all in the book.

Chocolate isn't just for bonbons - Chocolate Muffin from FIKA Espresso Bar

The book presents eleven self-guided tours through different neighborhoods in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. But don’t fret: Volume 2 covering other parts of the city is in the works. We took the “Historic Walk” through the Financial District, including the fine French Maison du Chocolat and Swedish FIKA Espresso Bar. It was a Sunday, so several of the shops were closed, but the chocolate we did find was new to us and extremely tasty. We had chocolatier Håken Mårtensson’s pear liqour and cardamom bonbons at FIKA, as well as the moist, rich chocolate muffin.

The “High Line Picnic” tour includes four chocolate shops in Chelsea, including the lovely Three Tarts. There are three tours in Brooklyn, including the “Brownstone Tour” through Boerum Hill and the aptly named “Stroller Tour” through Park Slope.

The Professor Chocolate guide devotes two full pages plus copious illustrations and photos for each shop in the book. They also provide pages for you to take notes about all the chocolates you tried, and even a star rating system. You can find addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, maps, and the closest subway stops for each location. The detailed icon list, such as “Stroller Friendly,” “Only in NYC,” “Ice Cream,” and “Wi-Fi,” will help you plan your excursion. Several of the shops are closed on Sundays, so make sure you read the fine print before you head out!

In addition to being a chocoholic’s survival guide, the guide has loads of fun details. On page 98, for example, the Professors tell us, “Chocolate has consistently been shown not to cause acne in studies conducted over the last 50 years!” On page 58, they ask, “Is chocolate as good as sex?” (You’ll have to find out the answer in your own copy of the book.) Rob and Neill recommend places in the neighborhoods to enhance your tour, like the High Line Park in Chelsea, or the Brooklyn Flea.

Rob and Neill state, “We do not judge the quality of chocolate, nor do we consider ourselves connoisseurs in the traditional sense. We simply love chocolate, love finding it, and love sharing our research with anyone who is interested.” They do give suggestions for some of the bonbons they like the best, like NuNu Chocolate’s Absinthe Delight and Ronnie’ Sue’s Pig Candy (bacon and chocolate confections).

This book is self-published, and it is currently available online and in Chelsea Market Baskets and several other shops. Rob and Neill will be burning up the shoe leather visiting shops and bookstores in person once school lets out in the summer. They’re also going to be giving tours, which I will definitely let you know about!

They are so committed and passionate about this project, and they could really use our support! Here’s how:

1. Buy the book!

2. Ask your local bookstore to order multiple copies!

3. Contribute to their crowdfunding project so they can finish Volume 2!

Are you ready for some chocolate now? Professor Chocolate will show you the best bonbons in town!

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Love is in the Air: Three Great Valentine’s Dates at the Markets

Special Blog Event: I enjoy reading a good number of blogs. Some inspire me, some crack me up consistently, and some actually make me tear up with every posting. Oh – and some make me hungry. So I invited them to join me in a Valentine’s Day Blogger Round Robin. We’ve all got all the links to each other’s postings at the top of our own. So please click through and read all the blogs. And share them with your friends! (Thank you to Manhattan Users Guide for the original idea!)

Andrea Davis: Pure Food Nutrition: Valentine’s Day Chocolate: Good & Good for You?
Ann Mehl: A Man and His Word on Valentine’s Day
Artists & Fleas: Gift Guide: From Brooklyn-Tough Love, Show Your Love, and Lovely Little Licks, Bites & Nibbles
The Bitchy Waiter: Fuck Cupid
Brooklyn Flea: You Gotta Have Heart
The Experimental Gourmand: Valentine’s Day Special Dinner
Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market: A Blog Affair to Remember
Kumquat Cupcakery: My Messy Pink Kitchen
Metalicious Jewelry: Well Hello February
The NewNew: What Makes Valentine’s Day Sweet to Me

Love is in the Air

This year Valentine’s Day falls on a Monday, which means we have the whole entire weekend to hang out with the ones we love the most! So I thought to myself, “What would I like to do this weekend?” Of course, it is all about the markets. Here are three excursions to take with your one Valentine or all the Valentine’s in your family:

Artists & Fleas and the Meeker Avenue Flea: Artists & Fleas (70 North 7th St. in Williamsburg) offers hours of entertainment together, slowly wandering through the eclectic collection of talented artists and artisans, vintage collections, and mini-cupcakes. You never know what you’ll find in this market, and when you take your time, I guarantee there will be something there to knock your socks off. I’ve gotten Valentine’s Day gifts there, from decoupage heart magnets to a fantastic Beatle’s Yellow Submarine hat made from a recycled sweater. You may find a box of LPs, a handmade book, or a pair of awesome vintage shades. It’s a treasure hunt every weekend. A few blocks away at 391 Leonard Street is the Meeker Avenue Flea. This market specializes in vintage and antique furniture primarily. If you’re having romantic thoughts of moving in, or *gasp* something more serious, try broaching the subject as you are fondling a set of Art Deco bar ware or an Elvis lamp. Wouldn’t that look great in your new apartment…together?

Chelsea Market and the High Line: There is something incredibly romantic about the High Line elevated park, no matter what the weather. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s a slow park, designed for strolling hand-in-hand, or mitten-in-mitten in this weather. Take your sweetheart for a wander along the High Line to enjoy the icy vistas and brisk breezes. Then step off at the 15th Street staircase and explore the tasty treasures inside Chelsea Market. Chelsea Market Baskets is Valentine’s Day Central, with chocolates, candies and gift baskets for your beloved. Pick up fresh, luscious ingredients for a delicious home cooked Italian dinner at and Buon Italia. And for dessert, how about a moist, tender red velvet cake from Amy’s Bread? And, whatever you do, do not forget a handpicked box of delicate and delicious bonbons from Jacques Torres Chocolates. There is so much more to see, smell and taste in the market – savor every shop!

New Amsterdam Valentine’s Market & Apothecary: The first New Amsterdam Market of the year takes place this weekend. And it’s not just on Sunday! The market runs both Saturday and Sunday, and also Monday, Valentine’s Day itself. It’s a weekend for chocolate, and Liddabit Sweets and Mast Brothers will be supplying their delicious, handcrafted chocolates and candies. I have it on good authority that P&H Soda Co. will have a very limited edition Valentine’s Day strawberry soda syrup just for this market. In addition to all the great food vendors, Lore Tools.Ornaments.Provisions will be there, and you can pick up hand crafted love tokens by paper artist Robert Warner. There will be some fun events to do together too, including Valentine’s Day caligraphy (Saturday), Kombucha making (Sunday), and a wine and chocolate pairing at Pasanella & Sons (Monday). Location: Indoors at the New Amsterdam Market School, 224 Front St. (between Beekman St. and Peck Slip). Saturday & Sunday 11AM – 6PM, Monday 11AM-7PM.

The card pictured is a hand-printed design from Pumpkin & Honey Bunny!

Photo of the Day, August 2, 2010: Savannah’s Cupcakes & More

Moist Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes from Savannah's Cupcakes & More by Millie Peartree

These days James and I rarely have weekend days together, with me off at the markets and his working 24/7 as entrepreneur. So we decided to skip it all on Saturday to go out for lunch together…at the markets. We started at the Hester Street Fair, where we took the famous words of Jacques Torres to heart when he advises, “Eat dessert first.” You’ll hear all about our “sugar fest” this week, but it all started with cupcakes at a birthday party.

Yup – now you can have your friends come celebrate your birthday at the Hester Street Fair. (Make a note, family!) This past Saturday, Sway from MTV had a party under a tent filled with balloons and cupcakes. The cupcakes were provided by Savannah’s Cupcakes from talented baker and business owner Millie Peartree. We had a banana cupcake with a perfectly smooth and none-too-sweet cream cheese frosting. Next we had a chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, which was classic, moist and delicious. And then there was the super rich and mouthwatering Red Velvet Cupcake. There’s a soft place in my heart for anyone who can make a moist Red Velvet cake, and Millie Peartree has a seat of honor.

I’m not sure when we’ll see Millie back at the market, but you can see her full, luscious menu and place orders online. We’ll definitely be seeing more of her though – I’ll keep you posted about her promo in Rachel Ray’s Chat & Chew section in the fall!

P.S. Happy Birthday, Sway! Major thanks and kudos for promoting this wonderful business at the market!

People’s Pops Opened at Chelsea Market!

I can’t tell you how excited I was to see the People’s Pops open their counter at Chelsea Market. Their natural popsicles, made from fresh ingredients from the local farmers markets, have been a mainstay at the Brooklyn Flea and the New Amsterdam Market. The flavors are innovative and amazing. Yesterday I had a Sour Cherry Blackberry, and James had a Blackberry Lemon Verbena, both refreshing and guilt-free because they’re made from real, fresh fruit!

They will still be participating at the outdoor markets, but if you can’t wait for the weekend for a frozen treat, go see them at Chelsea Market in the newest area near Jacques Torres Chocolates and Lucy’s Whey American Artisanal Cheeses. And don’t forget to admire their counter tops, to which the People’s Pops people (Nathalie, David, and Joel) painstakingly glued thousands of popsicle sticks!

(Photos by James Wesolowski)