Since its American debut in New York, Fauchon had topped our list of favorite chocolatiers. To enter the elegant Park Avenue salon de thé was to step into a little corner of Paris; to sample their ethereal wares was to taste a little piece of heaven. Sadly, our special seller of sublime sweets shuttered its Manhattan outpost last year. While Fauchon's closing may have left a cavity in the Big Apple, other fine purveyors around town have reduced the void with their superb chocolate fillings.
The Paris-based La Maison du Chocolat was our chocolatier of choice until the arrival of Fauchon. The House of Chocolate's exquisitely crafted cacao creations—including the Dark Ganache with Two Vanillas (made with Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar and aromatic beans from Tahiti) and the masterly Dark Ganache Porcelana (a Maison du Chocolat exclusive, made with the Venezuelan Porcelana bean)—are available in various Stitches of Love Valentine's Day collections. Prices for the assortments range from $15 (for a box of four) to $85 (for a box of 39).
While I enjoy the large selection at La Maison du Chocolat's premier boutique on the Upper East Side, I prefer the quiet and convenience of the new location on Wall Street.
Should you fancy French chocolates with a Brooklyn twist, you could look to our own (somewhat) local hero, Jacques Torres. Originally from Bandol, France (a small, seaside resort town in the south of Provence), the self-proclaimed Mr. Chocolate established his first factory along with a diminutive retail shop in D.U.M.B.O. (the lowland between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges—a former paper-box manufacturing area once known as Gairville). His December, 2000 opening came at a time when that deserted part of Brooklyn had little else to recommend it. My late wife and I were among Jacques Torres' first customers; I remain a devotee.
Jacques Torres' spaces are more approachable and his prices are more accessible than those of the upscale Parisian-styled boutiques. And Mr. Chocolate seems to convey a greater sense of fun. Valentine's Day treats like The Spanker ($12; "it's sure to leave a mark!"), Body Paint, Love Tonic, and Body Butter ($9 apiece; "don't make us give you instructions…") demonstrate a sort of playfulness not readily apparent at La Maison du Chocolat or the erstwhile Fauchon.
Of course, Jacques also offers various artisanal collections ranging from the seven-piece Heart Truffle Box ($10.50) to the 50-piece Champagne Kisses ($57.50) as well as the large, 34-piece heart-shaped box of bonbons ($49). I opted to create my own assortment of 25 quasi-Valentine's Day chocolates ($33, please see below). Chocolate was never so much fun!
My personal selection. (The hexagonal Liquid Caramel was my late wife's favorite.)
In addition to expanding his original D.U.M.B.O. space, Jacques Torres has opened shops on Hudson Street and on Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The newest store (and the first outside New York) is scheduled to open next month in Traverse City, Michigan.
Fauchon
La Maison du Chocolat (Manhattan)
1018 Madison Avenue (between 78th & 79th Sts), Upper East Side
(212) 744-7117
30 Rockefeller Center, Midtown
(212) 265-9404
63 Wall Street (near Hanover St), Financial District
(212) 952-1123
http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/
Jacques Torres
66 Water Street, D.U.M.B.O., Brooklyn
(718) 875-9772
350 Hudson Street (SE corner King St), South Village, Manhattan
(212) 414-2462
285 Amsterdam Avenue (between 73rd & 74th Sts), Upper West Side, Manhattan
(212) 787-3256
Thanks for the tip, Brenda. Incidentally, what do you think of Max Brenner?
Posted by: Comestiblog | 01 March 2009 at 09:05 PM
Mmmmmm Jacques Torres! Having lived in Manhattan for a couple of years, I also love MarieBelle in Soho...so colorful and fun. :)
Recently did a chocolate posting of my own for London! Check it out if you have a chance.
http://aestheticdalliances.blogspot.com/2009/02/lovely-things-day-1-chocolate.html
Posted by: Brenda | 27 February 2009 at 10:33 AM