ChocoLee Chocolates - Worth a trip or 2 or 3!

I've developed a little of a chocolate obsession lately having interviewed for a job with a famous chocolate maker. While it didn't work out (boohoo anyone wants to offer me a job?), this has only spurred my chocolate consumption.

But anyway enough about me, I stumbled into Chocolee Chocolates last weekend. It took a short while to find since there isn't a sign outside yet.



The main draw at Chocolee is the chocolates of course, but pastry chef Napoli also whips up the most delicious chocolate beignets. Who can resist fried dough filled with chocolate and mascapone! There isn't a place to sit and enjoy these treats so we picked a random spot on the steps outside a church and chowed down. I am usually more proper but you see I had to eat it fast while it's fresh hehe :)

The beignets were delicious. The dough was perfectly fried on the spot and still warm. Here's my beignet oozing with dark chocolate (the chocolate had an orange flavor to it). Not sure I tasted the mascapone but who cares! I want more of these.



I also got a piece of dark chocolate with fig and a piece with ginger. I loved that the filling in the Chocolee chocolates had bits of the ginger or fig in them. Certainly makes for more interesting textures. I have to confess that I sometimes get bored eating just plain dark chocolate.



The owner Lee Napoli was very friendly. She even agreed to pose for a photo. Or did I twist her arm ...teehee :)



Chocolee Chocolates
83 Pembroke Street
Boston, MA 02117
617-236-0606
South End
(Closed Mondays)

Chomp Meter:
Head here for your Boston chocolate fix! It's nice to have artisan chocolate makers instead of chains. These make great gifts (birthday, anniversary, housewarming, party favors, weddings) or just a treat for yourself. Chocolate makes me happy.

Aroa Fine Chocolates - Nice concept but ...

Aroa Fine Chocolates is in the South End a couple doors down from Flour. I've been debating whether to try the chocolates at Aroa for a while now but the lack of people in the shop make me reconsider each time.

Anyway we finally checked it out last weekend. Aroa is more of a cafe/dessert shop that sells not just chocolates but also pastries, cakes, macarons, and jelly candies.

The chocolates:


The pastries:


The macarons:


The first thing I noticed was that the cakes didn't look as sophisticated for a fine pastry shop. The edges of the cream and sponge were not clean lines and looked amateurish. I have a weakness for cake so I tried a piece anyway. It tasted pretty good just didn't look as nice.

I also tried a piece of the stout chocolate. It was ok. I still love Kee's Chocolates from NYC (oh so good).

Though there were many flavors of French macaroons, the one I had was disgusting. The cookie part didn't taste fresh. The crust was too thick, not crispy on the outside and too chewy. It also tasted too sweet. (The flavor I got was the raspberry chocolate). I didn't try the others so I don't know if this was an exception ...

I stole a sip of the SO's hot chocolate. It was good but not L.A. Burdick good.

Aroa Fine Chocolates
1651 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 425-4988



Chomp Meter:
I like that they had ample seating. Maybe I'll try one of the pastries next time. They have cute mini brioches and muffins etc. But with Flour right next door, I don't know if I'll take another chance on Aroa.

Chocolate and More at L.A. Burdicks

I've recently become obsessed with this place. I was at Burdicks in Harvard Square with a couple friends last week for dessert and hot chocolate and somewhat guiltily headed there again this afternoon, on my own, for cake!

It seems they've renovated the place recently because the layout is reversed? I didn't take a photo this time, but here's one from my last visit (before the renovation). The finish now is more of a pine wood color.



Burdicks is known for its decadent, rich, death by chocolate, kind of hot chocolate. I also like their selection of cakes and this is the only place I know of in Boston that makes decent macarons (they call them Luxembourgers). I got the raspberry, pistachio, and lavender. Not Pierre Hermes but still pretty yummy!



We also shared some of the chocolate lemon cake. This wasn't really my favorite because the lemon was really bitter. Too much zest perhaps?



Today I had the Zuger Kirsh. I love the taste of their butter cream and the sponge cake was moist and well soaked in the alcohol.

L.A. Burdicks
52 Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-4340
(Harvard Square)




Chomp Meter:
I adore this place. Way better than Finale, wine pairing or not. Head here for breakfast, mid morning sugar fix, tea, mid afternoon sugar fix, dessert, coffee, anytime!