Best Chocolate in the U.S.: National Chocolates Day

You all know that every day is Chocolates Day, but today is one of several designated "Chocolate" food holidays. To celebrate, I thought I'd refer you to this article that came out in Food & Wine the other day: Best Chocolate in the U.S. F&W's editors reveal their picks for the best chocolate in the country. I've had chocolate from most of the shops, but I was pleased to find a few I still need to try. Also glad to see some San Francisco chocolatiers!  

This list will also help you choose some great chocolates as holiday gifts!

What are your favorite chocolates? Make a comment below. Read the entire article HERE.

Some of the picks:

François Payard

Third-generation chocolatier and genius pastry chef François Payard creates outstanding homemade chocolate confections, superb fluffy macarons and beautiful cakes at his elegant bakeries in New York City, Las Vegas, Japan and Korea. payard.com

 

See's Candies

The flagship store of this classic American chocolate company opened in 1921 in Los Angeles. Today there are more than 200 locations across the country offering delicious chocolate candies filled with nuts, marzipan and nougat. F&W’s Kate Krader gets nostalgic for See’s Milk Bordeaux ($24.50), candy filled with brown sugar cream and topped with crispy chocolate puffed rice. sees.com

Recchiuti Confections

San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti creates market-driven confections like chocolate-dipped pear slices flavored with Key lime juice, and homey chocolate desserts such as Quadruple Chocolate Brownies. F&W editors also love Recchiuti’s dark chocolate-covered burnt caramel almonds and the seasonal peppermint patties. recchiuti.com

Vosges Haut-Chocolat

Owner and chocolate visionary Katrina Markoff flavors chocolates with unexpected ingredients (curry powder, bee pollen) and packs them in boldly designed boxes. Markoff is also a pioneer of the bacon-and-chocolate trend and now has glamorous boutiques in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. vosgeschocolate.com

 

Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates

Pastry chef Christopher Elbow worked at the American Restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri, until the demand for his chocolate petits fours convinced him to launch his own candy business in 2003. His beautiful hand-painted chocolates come in creative flavors like bananas Foster and caramel apple. Elbow also makes fantastic chocolate bars, including the favorite among F&W editors, No. 6 Dark Rocks, made with dark chocolate and popping candy. elbowchocolates.com

Read the rest of the article, here.