SERIOUS CHOCOLATE -a La MAISON

SYLVIA MACARON AT MAISON DU CHOCOLATMention chocolate to just about anyone - mouths water.   It seems our hunger for the dark, bitter, or milky sweetness of chocolate has never been greater.   U.S. supermarkets, gourmet food shops, and even department stores are bursting with a dizzying array of options, be it percentages of cocoa content or additives like mint, sea salt, pepper, or even good old fashioned raisins.   Of course Americans have a long way to go to catch up with our cousins across the pond, as the British, Spanish, and especially French have passion supreme for all things chocolate.  (20 years ago you could already buy Cadbury chocolate bars while waiting on the British Underground platforms for the next train or "tube" as they say in the U.K).MADISON AVENUE BOUTIQUE

With all the boutique chocolate brands that have popped up in the last 5 years or so, I thought I would pay homage to one of the founding houses of all things Cocoa.   In this case - the Maison -  La Maison Du Chocolat.   In 1977 the house was founded on Avenue Faubourg St. Honore in Paris, in a former wine cellar.  This big address would foreshadow things to come for the fledgling house of chocolate.  From the beginning, only the finest ingredients were incorporated in the makingTHE ORIGINAL SALVADOR RASBERRRY MOUSE CAKE of what would soon be the premiere chocolate of France.  The company built a prestigious reputation by using the highest quality cocoa and by following impeccable attention to details.   Travelers from all over the world quickly fell under the spell of this Parisian chocolate master.

In 2011, you don't have to travel to Paris (but if you can -DO) to indulge in these amazing chocolate creations.   La Maison Du Chocolat now has a global presence with boutiques in major cities around the world.  New York City is lucky to have three locations, and a fourth is just beyond the city streets in the luxury suburb of Short Hills, NJ.   What's even better is that the rest of you chocolate lovers not living in driving distance can just point and click.   The Maison has an excellent online boutique that can overnight an impressive assortment of chocolate treats right to your door. 

 To celebrate Summer 2011, LMDC has created a special collection - Chiberta.   These exciting little morsels are named for a town in the Basque region that is in fact the home of the founder of Maison Du Chocolat - Robert Linxe.  The Basque region is also the first area in France that began importing Cocoa  over four hundred years ago.  Of course, the Basque region is a major influence for the chefs of some of the hottest restaurants from New York to L.A.  In New York,  Bar Basque opened this Spring from famed restaurateur  Jeffrey Chodorow..  who previously brought us favorites-  China Grill and Asia de Cuba.   CLICK IMAGE TO VISIT LA MAISION

If you live close to a Maison Du Chocolat Boutique - stop by this Summer to experience a little bit of Basque Country.   In addition, add the web-store address to your bookmark pageMACARONS AND CHOCOLATE GANACHE - you can never have enough gift resources at your fingertips!   While they do cost a little more than your average chocolates, these are far from average by any means!   To visit the online boutique of La Maison Du Chocolat  now - click - CHOCOLATE MAISON