Vosges Haut Chocolat at North Bridge, Magnificent Mile, Chicago

There was a lot of talk today over at Chicagoist about Chicago chocolate shops. I found out that one of the best chocolatiers in the city has a store right by my office so I stopped by to sample the goods. The Vosges Haut Chocolat store is a good mix of high class chocolate with cute, yet sophisticated, packaging. I’m sure the proper way to eat the truffles I purchased is in soothing lighting, laid back with a glass of wine.. but my office chair, florescent lights and Diet Coke had to do.

While in the store I sampled the Gianduja Bar (praline made w/hazelnuts & almonds melted w/blegian milk chocolate) and the Red Fire Bar (chipotle chili peppers, cinnamon and dark chocolate). The first was really smooooth, the latter HOT HOT HOT!

The three truffles I tried were:

1. Naga (milk chocolate, coconut extract, a pinch of curry powder). I didn’t know if I’d like this but bought it off of Benjy’s recommendation. It’s weird how the curry complements the chocolate so well. Very good.

2. Dulce de Leche (Argentinian caramel, Costa Rican cashews, milk chocolate). I’m a sucker for Dulce de Leche. This truffle was so smooth.. like I died and went to heaven.

3. olio d’oliva (extra virgin olive oil dripped in white chocolate and topped with dried kalmata olives). I bought this because olives seemed like an odd pairing with chocolate… and i was in an adventurous mood. This was the least chocolately of the three truffles, with a creamy greenish center. Very rich. The olives add a bit of a salty flavor.

Overall, I’d say some of the top chocolate I’ve eaten.. and yes, that includes Jacques Torres‘. Though Vosges’ did seem to be a bit more adventurous. But Jacques Torres will always have a special place in my heart because of the time that we met him and got a personal tour of his chocolate shop.

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