best chocolate providence

Local Luxury: Garrison Confections in Providence, Rhode Island

Filed under: Dining

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.

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