…in CHOCOLATE!
I’ve been on a hunt for the best chocolate in San Francisco because my favorite date is pretty much addicted. I think I found a few winners. Cocoa Bella Chocolates San Francisco and Recchiuti Confections had most of the good ones. The Village Market had the Vogues Mo’s Bacon Bar that I absolutely loved.
Mo’s Bacon Bar is a combination of applewood smoked bacon (actual bite size pieces!), Alder wood smoked salt and milk chocolate. 41% cacao. The first bite was questionable, but after that I couldn’t stop. I made everyone try a piece and got very mixed reviews. One of my friends, B, actually liked it, until I said there was bacon inside.
Fleur de Sel Caramel (Christopher Elbow)
Fleur de Sel Burnt Caramel (Recchiuti Confections)
It’s pretty clear that Fleur de Sel is the top pick for my ultimate bon bon. Here, I’ve tried the Fleur de Sel Caramel by Christopher Elbow from Cocoa Bella. It was a basic salt enhanced soft caramel, but the outer shell was especially hard, which gave a nice crunch. Recchiuti Confections was the winner for Fleur de Sel for my taste buds, the caramel was firm but not too sticky, and it was burnt which gave the most amazing sensation when mixed with the infamous French sea salt.
Cocoa Bella also had a bon bon called “Hannah” which I instantly wanted because of my dear friend Aloo. Anyway, this delicious Knipschildt treasure was milk chocolate with liquid caramel and a few speckles of Hawaiian sea salt.
Smokey Oregon Blue Truffle
A few other bangin’ flavors were Jamaican Spice Caramel, Cayenne Caramel (which had a crazy kick), Smokey blue truffle made of Oregon Rogue blue cheese, organic milk chocolate and toasted almonds, all from Lillie Belle Farms. Recchiuti Confections’, Star Anise & Pink Peppercorn was a dark chocolate treasure infused with these two dynamic flavors. I’ll admit, I went searching for the Oregon Rogue Blue after reading about it on Lick My Spoon. Check out her recent chocolate post!
Bangin’ flavors eh A? Well I enjoyed your post…I will have to give that chocolate with bacon another try. And I most definitely need to try ‘Hannah’…
Yay for A Date With Flavor! …that flavor being smokey blue cheese chocolate, of course! I recognized that dainty, little truffle from Lillie Belle Farms. It was the watery-blue color of the foil that stood out. *reminisces* Never would I have ever guessed that blue cheese and chocolate could come together in a forbiddingly happy marriage. Were you able to sample Rogue Creamery’s River Blue Cheese on the other side of the Fancy Food Show, San Francisco? One word: Yum!
I’m jealous that you got to try a bacon chocolate bar…I think? :-p Just kidding. I’m definitely game. You should read about the Olive Oil Truffle that Bissinger’s Chocolatier brought to the Fancy Food Show 2009. Thanks for the great post. The pictures are wonderful, esp. the middle on of Hannah in all it’s oozing glory.
-Stephanie
Hi. Nice! Really couldn’t agree more REGARDING “Blue Cheese, Cayenne Pepper, Star Anise, Fleur de Sel”. I really liked it a lot. I will try that amazing chocolate bar. Thanks.
I really liked this post. Can I copy it to my site? Thank you in advance.
Go for it. Make sure to attach a link back here. Thanks!
I was looking for some info about ANISE and I found your post. I would like to know if you exchange links ?
perfection! this is very sweet! never expected to know better things to do with thus miracle powder. it is even proven that Cayenne Pepper also enhances blood flow. Therefore, it has been used to treat gangrene, frostbite, and other circulatory problems.
All of us here at Florida Herb House LOVE your blog! We visit you at lunch often