Hey jeneleb, I am just curious as to what a fancy French lady expects in terms of her chocolates. What do you do to cure your chocolate craving in Cancun? Godiva is no doubt the mass marketing favorite for gourmet chocoholics. I find it hard to pass by one of their shops without stopping for a piece or two. Do you like Lindt, like Godiva about $1 US per piece? Or maybe Richart or Guylian, which in Florida goes for about $2.00 & $1.50 US per piece respectively. Truly the best chocolate I have ever had was from Hoffman's in Palm Beach County, FL. My mom made me take her there all the time, after she could no longer take me. She was such a chocoholic that she would give it up for Lent and then on Easter she would polish off a whole box. She knew Mr. Paul Hoffman, the owner, who gave me a tour one time and spent at least an hour explaining how he did things that suited the Palm Beach crowd. I saw Estee Lauder in his Lake Worth store when she was still living. I said good afternoon Ms. Lauder and she replied, Good afternoon Mr. Carter. What a moment for me. I hope you are doing well and I look forward to your chocolate advice.
I am sure we all know that chocolate is native to Mexico and was taken to Europe by the Spanish. I do, however, agree that chocolate lovers like myself are fine as long as all we want is a high sugar content but for real chocolate (70%-80%), one really must go to France and of course Belgium will want some credit also although I find much of it made for export and the masses of tourists to be equal in crassness. There is a lovely little shop down from Fouquet's on the Champs Elysees that sells the best (and most expensive) I have ever eaten. Can't wait to get back! And as for tea, I have been wanting to bring a teavanna.com franchise here for years. They do have a shop or two in Mexico City but none here. Every time I travel I load up on it. I got some for Christmas--a couple of different rooiboses that someone had brought in from DF. Sorry to highjack the thread. I have never gotten into Indian cuisine more for fear of ordering something nasty than for a prejudice against it. I did get an offer once to be taken to a local restaurant and be introduced to the menu by an expert but never got around to doing it. Wel,, it's a new year. I may have to try it even if I go alone. Off to see Sherlock Holmes at La Isla later--may stop and have lunch!
Hello TJ, Nice to hear from you . I am sending you a PM too. Thanks for the fancy lady :icon_redface:. I expect fine stuff, no sugar and no milk. And thanks to Jim, he knows about chocolates :icon_biggrin:. Yes, too much sugar in the American chocolates, but the Americans add sugar in everything (and cinnamon, horror!) , even mustard and salt . You might know that Godiva US and Godiva Europe are two different companies, not the same... hmmm.... standards? Jim, if you like, I will tell you where I have found the best "praline" chocolates in Paris, Miromesnil subway station. I will look for your store on Champs Elysees next time, if I don't already know it. Of course, I don't find any here, Lindt is horrible and the so-called Swiss store has nothing Swiss, although (what a shame!), Mexico produces one of the best beans, along with some other Latin American countries (Ecuador, Nicaragua). I go to the Paris Chocolate show every time I can . So, here.... when those I bring back are over (kept in the fridge, which is not the best way but it cheers you up so much!!!), I feel frustrated :icon_mad: LOL!!! I was considering importing some here, but first I don't think people living here are ready to pay for that quality (after taxes and all), and there was a French guy with a business in California, who intended to make a show one Christmas, he shipped a full container.... it stayed at the port like 2 or 3 weeks, he never got all the papers signed :icon_twisted:. He went back with chocolate sauce LOL! In the US, I have found some Dove, but I am not yet very familiar with fine stores, and I don't know Mr. Hoffman, but I will make sure that will change as soon as I am there! Thanks, too, Jim, for the tea hint. "From the cloud-veiled mountains, Yunnan Golden Tips black tea, as the name implies, is an exceptional quality tea with beautiful gold-tipped leaves and an abundance of flavor. It is one of the rare teas to combine aroma with strength, subtlety with rich taste. Full and round, it is nicknamed "the mocha of tea" and goes great with a touch of sugar and a splash of milk to compliment any breakfast, delicious over ice. It is also a kind of Gong Fu black tea." I bring back a kg or more every year, although the leaves are sometimes a bit broken after the trip in my suitcase. Jim, you should try an Indian restaurant, I would trust Sam, Mixz and Steve on that. So maybe not at la Isla, you may be disappointed at your first try!!!
