Cartoon of the Day: Valentine's Day Chocolates for Cats

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.

Cartoon of the Day: Valentine's Day Chocolates for Cats

Great Chocolate Deals, Discounts, and Freebies for National Chocolate Day!

Today is National Chocolate Day. If you're like me, you have a stash of great chocolate in your desk or cupboard, but if you're craving more, here's a list of Chocolate Deals, Discounts, and Freebies for National Chocolate Day.

• Bulletproof: Get 10 percent off chocolate until Oct. 31. No coupon code needed.
• Chuao Chocolatier: Get a free chocolate bar with coupon code NEWSFREEBAR for a limited time.
• Dean & DeLuca: Take $9 off chocolate babka for a limited time. No coupon code needed.
• Drop Dead Chocolates: Get 15 percent off all chocolates with coupon code MAD20 for a limited time.
• Dulce Caramel Co.: Get 15 percent off chocolate alfajores with coupon code DCHNY16 for a limited time.
• Edible Arrangements: Up to 35 percent off chocolate dipped fruit boxes for a limited time. No coupon code needed.
• FernsNPetals: Take 17 percent off chocolate and more with coupon code FNP17CV at fnp.com until Dec. 31.
• Godiva: Get a free piece of chocolate every month when you sign up for the newsletter. No code required.
• Grounds for Change: This fair trade, organic coffee distributor is offering $3 off THEO chocolate bar 3-packs for a limited time. No coupon code needed.
• Lindt Chocolate: Enter coupon code WORKINGADV to get 20 percent off all chocolates at lindtusa.com for a limited time.
• Lula’s Chocolates: Take 10 percent off all chocolates at lulas.com with coupon code LAfood14 for a limited time.
• Neuhaus is offering a free small chocolate box with purchase.
• O’Neil Cinemas: The Epping, N.H., location is giving moviegoers any $2 box of chocolate for free with the purchase of any size popcorn on Oct. 28.
• San Marco Coffee: Take $3 off chocolate donuts for a limited time. No coupon code needed.
• Scharffen Berger: Take 15 percent off dark chocolate with coupon code DARKCHOCO2016 for a limited time.
• Sephra: Receive free shipping on a selection of home chocolate fountains and fondue chocolate for a limited time.
• World Market: Save 30% on all Chocolate Bars.
• ZChocolat: Head to ZChocolat.com and double your chocolate with coupon code Z-077412 for a limited time.

 Any other Chocolate Deals? Make a comment below.