Local Luxury: Garrison Confections in Providence, Rhode Island

by Donna Rodgers (RSS feed)
Apr 10th 2010 at 4:02PM

Providence, Rhode Island has many excellent chocolate shops. If you are looking for a chocolatier, however, there is really only one choice, Garrison Confections.

Chef Andrew Shotts, formerly a pastry chef at La Cote Basque, an iconic New York French restaurant that closed its doors in 2004, has opened his doors in Rhode Island. Previously associated with the Russian Tea Room (New York City) and Guittard Chocolate Company (San Francisco, California). Chef Shotts makes a large variety of chocolate, bonbons, tablets, truffles and more for every taste.

Finding such a treasure in Rhode Island is a treat. "A single truffle of the highest quality, like I buy at Garrison's, satisfies me in a way that a box of commercial chocolates never could," says Marcy Williams, a shopper from Central Falls, Rhode Island. "I love the crumble collection! You get apple, blackberry and stone fruit crumble chocolates in a box of six. Keeps me going almost a full week! My husband swears it's art. It's perfection!"

Unexpected spices, along with succulent fruit bits, caramel and chocolate, delights tastebuds. A box of six pieces about $12.00.

Carol Adams of Cumberland, Rhode Island agrees. "I have actually lost weight since I started buying fine chocolate," she laughs.

Bonbons are a specialty and Garrison makes twelve new flavors with each new season, according to the lunar calendar. Each is named for the season--Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumnal Equinox and Winter Solstice. With the passage of each season, new candies are presented as others are retired. The Valentine's Day special edition (new for each year), Legendary Lovers, is offered from February 8th-14th each year.

Only the finest natural ingredients are good enough for Garrison. You will find scrumptious peanut butter cups, delectable coconut patties and amazing peppermint patties that taste more "grown up" than most candies. You will love them. Chef Shotts' version of chocolate bark, called tablets, is very special. Try white chocolate, with lime or orange, or milk chocolate with sesame. Garrison's version of chocolate caramel popcorn is highly satisfying. Eat just a handful.

Demonstrating his commitment to a healthy lifestyle, in which chocolate should be consumed in moderation, Chef Shotts is training for the New York City Marathon. "Any donation to this cause is welcome," he says.

If you can't attend an artisan candy class with Chef Shotts, you can purchase his book: Making Artisan Chocolates, (ISBN 9781592533107) for about $17.00 in paperback.

Visit Garrison Confections at 72 Lodge Street in Central Falls, Rhode Island, or call (401) 725-0790 for more information.

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.

Tags: best chocolate providence, chocolate, garrison confections, local luxury

Filed under: Dining

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