Chocolate, Chocolate, and more Chocolate

Today, I took a 2 hour chocolate tour. Wow! It was awesome. The ride was narrated, with the history of chocolate, and many modern tips.

The first stop was at the Hilton. We were welcomed into a special room, set up with a center table draped with red velvet. Our first treat was called “Lovers something or other” It was specially developed by the chef for Valentines. Picture this. A scoop of chocolate decadence, a mound of cream whipped with rose water; a burnt sugar wafer, drizzled with chocolate and topped with a fresh raspberry.

The second offering was a raspberry chiffon bon-bon – wrapped in dark chocolate. Awesome – the burst of flavor was erotic.

Next was almond toffee coated in milk chocolate, followed by a marshmallow dipped in milk chocolate and rolled in salted nuts. M-m-m-m-m-m-

The piece d’resistance - a glass of chocolate-almond “shake” with chipoltle! It was so smooth and good.

Then we trollied over to Claude’s chocolates. Claude and his wife moved from NY to open the shop. He is from France, and she is second generation French. She told us all about the operation, how he makes the chocolates, gave us a box of samples, and cups of French Hot Chocolate. Then offered us more chocolates to sample. I tried the champagne truffles, then bought a box of 6 more. White chocolate, with chocolate truffle center.

You can go to the main operation of Claude’s and watch the chocolates being made, unfortunately, they won’t be open until Tuesday, and I’m leaving here on Monday.

Back on the trolley, on to the Raintree Restaurant (Not the Raintree Jungle Restaurant we think of) Where spread before us was a chocolate fountain and a buffet of chocolate. As well as a complimentary box of chocolates.

I’m ready for a sugar coma.!!!

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Boots