Chocolate

Chocolatier Michel Cluizel Debuts Latest Creations in New York

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

With two generations of haute French chocolate making in the house (founder Michel Cluizel and son/CEO Marc), Chocolat Michel Cluizel unveiled its latest confections in New York. An animated Marc Cluizel welcomed the rain-soaked group to the family's Fifth Avenue shop, the only other Chocolat Michel Cluizel retail location other than the Parisian original.

Tags: chocolate, france, michel cluizel, new york city, park avenue

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Best Luxury Valentine's Day Spa Packages & Treatments

by McLean Robbins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

The Spa at Norwich Inn Valentines Day Spa Package Having a romantic Valentine's Day doesn't necessarily mean you need to have a special someone in your life. Why not show yourself some love ... at the spa on this most romantic of holidays? We've tracked down spa treatments from coast to coast (and beyond) to come up with our favorite Valentine's Day spa packages and treatments for romance and romance-lovers alike.

"Sweetheart" Scrub & Massage at Spa Desert Springs
What better way to say "I love you" or "UR G8" than with the quintessential Valentine's Day candy, Necco Candy Hearts? Palm Desert's JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa is offering a Sweetheart Sugar Scrub and Sweetheart Valentine Massage, both scented with the smell of candy hearts, featuring notes of orange, vanilla and blueberry. Afterwards, unwind in the 38,000 square foot spa, the largest in Southern California. Both treatments are 60 minutes and $135.

Vanilla and Caramel Delight at The Spa at Norwich Inn
Whoever said Valentine's Day had to be just about chocolate and Champagne obviously hasn't tried this deluxe treatment. The famed Connecticut spa (which also has an outpost at Foxwoods resort and casino) is offering a Caramel Delight Facial for their holiday visitors. Vanilla helps lessen skin's hypersensitivity and reactions to environmental elements, while caramel leaves skin smooth and improves its tone. As a take-home gift, you'll enjoy the spa's Caramel serum to help maintain the effects of the treatment. Prefer something a bit "spicier"? They're also offering a selection of Chocolate and Chocolate-Gingerbread treatments. The facial is 50 minutes and $125.

Strawberries, Champagne & Chocolate at The Sports Club/LA
Finally, a spa treatment that's both luxurious and affordable. This month's seasonal specials at Sports Club/LA (locations across the country) are a Chocolate Indulgence Body Wrap, which begins with a Chocolate Crème Mineral Mask with soothing scalp massage and foot reflexology before application of a cocoa-scented lotion to leave skin smooth and supple. Need some face time? How about a Strawberry Champagne Facial, which uses the power of vinotherapy and the antioxidants to leave skin smooth, supple and refreshed? Both treatments are 50 minutes and just $99. Want to spa with a friend? Inquire about combining these into couples packages that include Champagne and strawberries.

Tags: barcelona, champagne, chocolate, ritz carlton, rock resorts, romance, spa at norwich inn, sports club la, vail, valentines day, valentines day spa packages, vinotherapy

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Luxist Giveaway: Two Bars of Chocri Customized Gourmet Chocolate

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Valentine's Day is a chocolate lover's holiday and Chocrí offers a unique and elegant way to indulge your sweetheart's sweet tooth: perfectly customized chocolate bars built precisely to his or her specifications. Chocrí's website, appropriately located at "createmychocolate.com," makes you a gourmet chocolatier with a choice of several fair trade organic Belgian chocolate 'bases' that you can then personalize with any number of more than 100 spices, fruits, nuts, and confectionery toppings for an all but endless list of potential combinations. Dark chocolate with candied rose petals and gold flakes? Check. Milk chocolate with pistachios, sea salt, and lime drops? Check. I don't know how anyone could ever order just one.

Chocrí doesn't think anyone should have to settle for just one either so they're generously offering one Luxist reader a gift certificate good for two customized chocolate bars of your choice, or your sweetheart's choice if you can bear to part with it, which could be worth up to $30 depending on options. Chocrí gift certificates are available in any amount and can be in your hands within minutes of ordering, which makes them perfect for last minute gift giving this holiday. So head on over to the website and construct a few dream bars and then enter to win them by leaving a comment here telling us what two flavor combinations sound the best to you.

The GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before February 8, 2011 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by email.
* One winner will receive a gift certificate good for two Chocri customized chocolate bars from createmychocolate.com, worth a total retail value of up to $30 and to be delivered by email.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See full giveaway rules here.

Source

Tags: chocolate, chocri, custom chocolate, giveaway, luxist giveaway, valentines day

Bathe in Milk Chocolate for Valentine's Day at Auberge du Soleil

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley offers milk chocolate bath for Valentine's Day

Auberge du Soleil, California wine country's most luxurious country inn, has created the ultimate indulgence for its guests who also happen to be chocolate lovers.

During the month of February, its 7,000 square foot spa, which was built for the exclusive use of the inn's guests, is offering a milk chocolate bath for two in a private outdoor garden---of course while eating sumptuous desserts and sipping on a specially paired wine.

This antioxidant rich body treatment is supposed to stimulate the senses, soothe the mind, and rejuvenate the soul, according to Auberge du Soleil. The treatment begins with a delectable cacao and grape seed exfoliation. Guests then slip into a milk chocolate bath for two in a private outdoor garden while indulging in dessert and specially paired wine. Finally, the couple is given a full body massage using a decadent massage oil of chocolate and spice.

The cost of the treatment varies depending on the length of the massage. The treatment with a 90 minute massage costs $570 per couple, while a 90 minute long massage costs $760 per couple. The treatment is available throughout the entire month of February.

Gallery: Auberge du Soleil Offers Valentine's Day Package

A Spa Treatment Room at Auberge du Soleil

The Courtyard at Auberge du Soleil's Spa

Tags: Auberge du Soleil, awards-main, chocolate, luxist-awards, Napa Valley, spa, Valentines Day, wine

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Cocoa di Vine chocolate wine

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Planning on spending Valentines' Day with a chocoholic? Be sure to serve a chilled bottle of chocolate wine, which just hit the shelves and is the ultimate indulgence. Cocoa di Vine is a blend of velvety-smooth chocolate and luscious grape wine. The wine's chocolatey taste has undertones of vanilla and caramel and a silky finish.

The wine is an all-American indulgence. The wine's grapes and cocoa beans are from South America while the making of the chocolate is done at one of the top creameries in the United States. The wine is a blend of Torrontes, Pedro Ximenez, and Moscato. When poured, it resembles creamy chocolate milk with a kick, and is best served chilled. Its alcohol content is 14%.

Cocoa di Vine works well as a dessert wine and can be paired with cakes, cookies, and ice cream. It is also served as a cocktail and is growing in popularity among cocktail lounges across the country. It shouldn't be confused with Adult Chocolate Milk, which is made with actual chocolate milk that is combined with 40-proof vodka (covered by Luxist earlier this week).

Cocoa di Vine should be served within nine to twelve months if kept refrigerated, or within six months of stored at room temperature. It is produced by Opici Wines and distributed nationally with a suggested retail price of $11.99.

Gallery: Cocoa di Vine chocolate wine

Tags: Adult Chocolate Milk, awards-main, chocolate, chocolate wine, Cocoa di Vine, luxist-awards, Moscato, Opici Wines, Pedro Ximenez, Torrontes, Valentines Day, valentines day gifts, wine

Francois Payard's Black Truffle Chocolate Tart for New Years' Eve

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Holiday Guides

Celebrate New Years' Eve with Francois Payard's decadent black truffle chocolate tart

World-renowned French pastry chef Francois Payard is creating a truly decadent dessert for all chocolate lovers wanting to celebrate New Years' Eve in style.

For New Year's Eve Payard is offering for the first time a Black Truffle Chocolate Tart. Ingredients include real black truffles (currently retailing for $2.60 per gram), a sable Breton shell that is sprinkled with dry girolle mushroom powder. The tart is topped off with a layer of 70% Guanaja Dark Chocolate Ganache that is mixed with fresh black truffle shavings drizzled with a bit of black truffle oil, pieces of hazelnut nougatine and a hint of fleur de sel. While it may sounds unusual, word has it that the tart is absolutely "incredible" according to the select few who were treated to an advance tasting.

Payard describes the tart as "very rich, with a strong truffle flavor and aroma, but also with a deep, intense chocolate flavor so that the earthiness of the truffles complement the slight native acidity of the chocolate without overpowering the finished result."

The Black Truffle Chocolate Tart serves eight people and is a limited edition of only 25, so place your order as soon as possible. It will be available for purchase for $85 at the new Francois Payard Bakery at 116 West Houston Street between Sullivan & Thompson. Orders may be placed online or by phone by calling 212.995.0888, ext. 131.

Tags: awards-main, black truffle, chocolate, dessert, Desserts, Francois Payard, Francois Payard Bakery, luxist-awards, New Years Eve, Payard, tart, truffle

The 13th Annual New York Chocolate Show

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Services, Events

The 13th annual New York Chocolate Show, presented by Event International and running from Thursday, November 11 - Sunday, November 14, at The Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St.), is the largest show in the United States completely dedicated to chocolate. Considered the chocolate hub of North America, the show brings together more than 65 fine chocolate companies that will present an array of fine chocolates and chocolate-inspired products that will reach 12,000 consumers, members of the trade, and press.

This year's Chocolate Show will feature book signings by award-winning authors; cooking demonstrations in two culinary theaters featuring renowned chocolatiers and pastry chefs who will share secrets of the trade; a Kid's Zone, presented by Young Chefs Academy; and -- something I'm sorry I missed on the 10th -- a Chocolate Fashion Show.

Founded in 1997 by Sylvie Douce and Franois Jeantet, French entrepreneurs with a passion for chocolate, The Chocolate Show was quickly adopted by New York City as one of its favorite shows, and has become the largest and one of the most popular events devoted to chocolate in the United States. The New York Chocolate Show is one of many international Salon du Chocolat events produced annually by Douce and Jeantet. In 2010, shows were or will be presented in Paris, Tokyo and six cities in Japan, Shanghai, Madrid, Cairo, and Moscow.

The New York show is open this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and this Sunday till 6 p.m. Get tickets here.

Tags: chocolate, food, New York, New York City, The Chocolate Show

TechnoMarine Cruise Sport Chocolate Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Yum! TechnoMarine will offer two versions of their newer Cruise Sport watches in delicious chocolate tone. I must admit the brown with rose gold tone is a nice look. What will you wear it with? No idea, I am no fashion expert, but the look is certainly fun. Seen here is the 45mm wide Cruise Sport Chocolate Chronograph, while a smaller 40mm wide Cruise Sport Chocolate with a more simple three hand day/date movement is also available. You can see a full review of the TechnoMarine Cruise Sport watch here.

The watch is in steel, but covered with a rubber/silicone wrap that matches the strap. The bezel is PVD coated in a rose gold tone, while lighter browns and white even out the design. Inside both watches are Japanese quartz movements. While brown watches are not color of the year - who cares. The style is unique (tasty looking) and certainly emits a degree of warmth that goes along with TechnoMarine's beachy theme. Look for these TechnoMarine Cruise Sport Chocolate watches soon with a retail price of $425 - $525.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: chocolate, cruise, sport, technomarine, watch

La Maison du Chocolat to Host Free Chocolate Tasting Event in New York

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

La Maison du Chocolat will celebrate its 20th anniversary in New York with a red carpet event on November 3.

On Wednesday, November 3rd, from 7:00 pm to midnight, La Maison du Chocolat, will host a special evening dedicated to pastry and chocolate at the chocolatier's 1018 Madison Avenue location.

Called "La Nuit du Gâteau" (Cake Night), the red carpet event will be open to the public and free of charge. Guests will enjoy complimentary tastings of a wide variety of desserts and pastries. The event, which will also feature live jazz music, will be held rain or shine under a tent along the sidewalk in front of the boutique.

The event will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of La Maison du Chocolat in New York.

Gallery: La Maison du Chocolat Celebrates its 20th Anniversary in New York

Tags: awards-main, chocolate, la maison du chocolat, La Maison du Chocolat will celebrate its 20th anniversary in New, luxist-awards, truffles

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Luxist Giveaway: 8 Flavors of Sulpice Chocolat

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Sulpice Chocolat is an exclusive artisan chocolate house that creates absolutely dreamy chocolate experiences by combining the highest quality Belgian chocolate with choice herbs and spices before topping off the results with beautiful painted designs. They offer chocolate bars in eight different flavors and I tried two of them, Gingembre and Noisette. Beneath the uniquely painted exteriors (Gingembre was my favorite and is shown here) I found truly decadent chocolate, with hints of flavor and spice that enhanced the chocolate without distracting from it or covering it up. The focus was very much on the chocolate itself, with the additions of crystallized ginger, lemon, macadamia nuts (Gingembre) and caramelized hazelnuts (Noisette) serving as hints and top notes instead of major, prominent flavor players. Sulpice Chocolat bars are designed for true chocolate connoisseurs and are a delicious and charming experience in every way. They even offer up tasty chocolate tips and recipes via their blog, Facebook and Twitter (I recommend every chocoholic follow them) that include Black Forest Coffee, Decadent Chocolate Cake, and even Chocolate Covered Bacon. Sounds like breakfast, lunch and dinner to me.

And lucky you, Sulpice Chocolat is offering one random Luxist reader a prize pack of eight chocolate bars, one of each flavor! That's a total of $60 in free chocolate.

To enter just leave a comment on this post telling us which flavor you're most interested in trying. The giveaway ends on November 1 at 5:00pm EST, see additional rules below.

THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED, WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before November 1, 2010 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive eight Sulpice Chocolat chocolate bars in an assortment of flavors, valued at $60.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See full giveaway rules here.

Source

Tags: chocolate, giveaway, review, sulpice chocolat

La Maison du Chocolat to Celebrate its 20th Anniversary in New York

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

La Maison du Chocolat will celebrate its 20th anniversary in New York with a red carpet event called "La Nuit du Gâteau" (Cake Night).

La Maison du Chocolat, a Luxist Awards' nominee for Best Chocolate, will host this special evening dedicated to pastry and chocolate on Wednesday, the 3rd of November from 7:00 pm to midnight at the chocolatier's 1018 Madison Avenue location. The tasting of desserts and pastries will be open to the public and free of charge. The event, which will also feature live jazz music, will be held rain or shine under a tent along the sidewalk in front of the boutique.

"Its going to be an evening dedicated to pastry," says Nora Hovanesian-Mann, director of La Maison du Chocolat USA. "It will be an opportunity to taste and discover."

Gallery: La Maison du Chocolat Celebrates its 20th Anniversary in New York

Tags: awards-main, chocolate, la maison du chocolat, La Maison du Chocolat will celebrate its 20th anniversary in New, La Nuit du Gateau, luxist-awards, new york

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Photo Tour: Taste TV's Los Angeles Chocolate Salon

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

I swung by Taste TV's Chocolate Salon in Pasadena, California this afternoon. I wrote about this annual event last year but didn't attend so I figured it was time to check it out. While the $25 (at the door) fee was a bit exorbitant, there was at least plenty of chocolate samples to tempt the appetite. After the jump, a few of the most delicious.

Tags: chocolate, chocolate tastings, chocolates, tastetv

Continue reading “Photo Tour: Taste TV's Los Angeles Chocolate Salon”

Ebel Beluga Chocolate Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

What about Beluga caviar? No, Ebel opts for the sweeter (less salty) Beluga with a new limited edition line of women's watches called the Beluga Chocolate. Coming in three colors the watches feature dials that resemble bricks of chocolate (are the watches also scented?) The names of the specific models? You guessed it "Dark (Black) Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and White Chocolate."

The Beluga is actually an older watch line name that is being reintroduced after its debut in 1985. The watches are 37.5mm wide in 18k white gold that are decorated with 68 precious stones around the bezel and lugs. Based on the watches, the stones are either black, brown, or white diamonds (about 1.08 carats per watch).

The luxury watches contain Swiss ETA quartz movements, have AR coated sapphire crystals, and come with matching satin straps. Ebel even worked with chocolate maker Max Chocolatier to create special Beluga chocolates in honor of the collection. Not sure how man pieces will be in this limited edition or the price. Look for them soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: beluga, black, chocolate, ebel, milk, watch, watches, white

Luxist Giveaway: Chocomize Gift Certificate

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

I've got a fun giveaway for you today. It's not just candy but candy that you create. We first mentioned Chocomize last December. The company specializes in custom chocolate treats. Pick a 3.5 ounce chocolate (dark, milk, or white, all premium Belgian) and then the fun begins. Go nuts (macadamia, hazelnuts, and almonds are just some of the selections), add fruits (pineapple, dried raspberries even goji berries), get creative with add-ins like pop rocks and mini marshmallows or really step into the extreme with selections like beef jerky and vegetarian bacon. Then you can decorate with fancy touches like edible gold, sprinkles or a chocolate plaque. There are thousands of variations possible.

The company also donates one percent of the proceeds from each Chocomize chocolate bar to one of their selected charities. In the Chocomize spirit you get to choose which charity to support. One percent has added up raising money for Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger and the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Today we are giving away one $75 gift certificate for custom chocolates. Create your own or chose from some of their popular flavors like the milk chocolate Smores bar with mini marshmallows and graham teddy bears; the white chocolate Tighty Whiteys with mini marshmallows, sliced almonds and coconut flakes; the Spicy Special milk chocolate bar with black peppercorns, mini chipotles and cayenne pepper; or the dark chocolate Tropical Island bar with banana chips, coconut flakes and cantaloupe melon dices.

To enter leave a comment below, and, if you are inspired, let us know what Chocomize creation you would make.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before August 2, 2010 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive one Chocomize gift certificate valued at $75.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: chocolate, chocomize, custom chocolate, luxist giveaway

Custom Chocolatier to the Masses

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Nothing says luxury like getting exactly what you want, exactly the way you want it. Chocri makes that dream a reality for choco-philes at createmychocolate.com.

Chocri customized chocolate bars are made from organic, fair trade Belgian chocolate. You can pick milk chocolate, white chocolate, dark chocolate or a milk and white combination for your base chocolate bar, and then get customizing. Options include, but are not limited to:

Goji Berries
Fig Bits
Banana Chips
Papaya Cubes
Sea Salt
Rosemary (it's getting interesting, isn't it?)
Jalepenos
Bourbon Vanilla
Ginger
Chives
Hazelnut Brittle
Wasabi Peanuts
Pine Nuts
Licorice
Sizzle Rocks
Gummy Bears
Marzipan Carrots (now we're onto crazy)
Sugar Flowers
Real Gold Flakes
Tiny Stars
Bacon
Candied Lilac
Candied Rose Petals
Organic Mint Leaves
Organic Poppy Seeds

Sorry, I didn't mean that to be such a long list, but once I got going it was impossible to stop. Each ingredient is more unexpected than the last! You could play around with the combinations for a long time; I recently tried one with just sesame seeds and it kind of blew my mind.

Once you design your chocolate, you name it and pay for it (you control the price by paying for whatever ingredients you add ... real gold flakes are $2.10 per bar), and it's sent to you in a personalized box. You can also enter your previous chocolate's barcode number, in case whatever you made last time was clearly the ultimate chocolate creation of all time.

More enticing still, 1 percent of the profits from every chocolate bar sold goes to aid children in the Ivory Coast region -- adding up to over $42,763 at the time of writing this. For every five bars you make, you get one free. Click here to create your own custom chocolate.

Tags: chocolate, chocri, custom chocolate, CustomChocolate, DIY

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