Vianne Chocolat

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First, before I forget, guest posts! I need 3 guest posts: 1 Friday Foodie Feature and 2 posts on anything from recipes to wine reviews to travel photos. We are leaving for Napa and Sonoma a week from today, and while I do plan on some blogging, I would love to have some guest bloggers as well. Going to so many events recently and meeting so many great bloggers has totally reminded me of what a great community we bloggers have, and I want to keep promoting that.

Speaking of events, last night I attended the launch party for the Crave Boston book.

CRAVE boston innovatively connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in Boston. Our modern marketplace of soirees, gatherings and online networking serves as your ambassador to everything there is to CRAVE about the Walking City.

Since much of my blog focuses on my life as a city girl, I could not wait to get my hands on the Crave book and to learn more about it.

I walked from my office all the way to the event and enjoyed the GORGEOUS dry, sunny day that we had yesterday. It was perfection.

view from Fort Point Boston

The event was held at a funky artists’ studio in the Fort Point area, a refreshingly different event space.

image Fort Point artists studio

Two of my favorite things in the event space were this poster and Oscar the dog who was friendly and fluffy and knew how to sit and shake. Love.

I love blogs and coffee Oscar the dog

There was beauty everywhere.

image image

There were chunky chocolate chip cookies from Harvard Sweet Boutique, and they were awesome.

Harvard Sweet Boutique cookies

Vianne Chocolat

And I sampled some more chocolate from Vianne Chocolat, the lovely chocolatier that I reviewed earlier this month.

Once again, Valerie outdid herself with her gorgeous creations, and I tried a new one, a chocolate with goat cheese strawberry balsamic filling.

Holy chocolate heaven.

Vianne Chocolat

The perfect burnt caramel cups and lavender infused chocolates were also on display.

Vianne Chocolat

Throughout the evening, I sipped on an Honest Tea and Segura Viudas cocktail. It was yummy AND healthy!

I also sampled Joos fresh juice which was fresh and life-giving. From the Joos website:

You can expect any combination of dark, leafy greens (e.g., kale, chard, collards, etc.), other green vegetables (e.g., celery, cucumbers, fennel, etc.), herbs (e.g., cilantro, parsley, etc.), roots (e.g., ginger, turmeric, beets, etc.), fruits (e.g., lemon, apple, cranberries, pineapple, kumquats, etc.), carrots and so many more exciting and delicious fruits and vegetables.

Joos fresh juices

I love this stuff and hope that it becomes available in places around my office. I love my kale and spinach smoothies, and I often CRAVE them during the work day. Joos is an awesome solution to that craving.

I had to leave the party a little early and know I probably missed even more fun, but I was go glad to have a chance to check out Crave, and I look forward to learning more.

Right now I am craving rest and sunshine. I want to spend a day this weekend just sitting on the beach quietly with no technology, work, or worry.

What do you crave?

I am also changing the name of the blog soon, after a year it has evolved and has been confused far too often with Eat Pray Love, a book that I did not even finish because I didn’t like it! I am thinking Boston Wine & Dine or Travel, Wine & Dine, something that more accurately reflects the writing I have been doing. Stay tuned!

Tags: book launch, Boston, chocolate, CRAVE, events, green juice, Harvard Sweet Boutique, Joos, sparkling wine, Vianne Chocolat

Being a food blogger definitely has its perks, like when a gourmet chocolatier offers to send samples of her chocolate for a blog review.

I saw a tweet from Valerie from Vianne Chocolat and a few emails later, we were scheduled to meet so that I could try her handmade chocolates.

Valerie met me at my office building to drop the chocolate off with her adorable daughter. It was so nice to meet the person behind the incredible chocolate I was about to taste.

I employed discipline from deep within, and I didn’t even open the bag until I was home with my camera several hours later. I also carried a whole dozen Mix Bakery cupcakes on my 3 mile walk. I’m good.

At first, I was afraid to even touch the chocolates as they were decorated with beautiful detail and precision. The variety that Valerie gave me to sample included raspberry truffles, a rose scented dark chocolate dove, a burnt caramel cup, lavender, raspberry Chambord, and mint.

Vianne Chocolat artisan chocolate

I had a fun time photographing the chocolates as they are truly little pieces of art. As an impatient person, I can’t imagine the work that goes into making them so pretty.

But we all know that the most important part of chocolate is its taste. How did these rate?

Vianne Chocolat mixed artisan chocolates

 

Vianne Chocolat mint chocolate

We started with the lavender. It provided the perfect blend of fragrant lavender and creamy, rich chocolate center. I am usually afraid that floral flavors might be perfume-y, but this was just the tiniest hint of lavender, balanced by chocolate.

In a similar way, the rose scented chocolate dove provided a hint of rose petal paired with deep, dark chocolate. The floral flavor was so subtle that it just enhanced all of the chocolate goodness.

lavender chocolate, raspberry Chambord chocolate

The raspberry Chambord was one of my favorites. The center was as creamy as the lavender, but it was also light and fluffy and provided a sweet hint of raspberry liqueur.

My favorite of the chocolates that I have tried so far (and I have a few more to go!), was the burnt caramel cup, as I expected. First of all, it is so pretty to look at, dressed in heavy gold foil. I actually cut into it with a knife because I was sharing the tasting with the mister, and dark, burnt caramel oozed out. We mopped it up with bits of deep, dark chocolate, and I savored each drop of its creme brulee-like perfection. The caramel was brought to the edge, that point where it is burnt but not too much. I love that roasted dark flavor. The finish offered hints of good, black coffee. Amazingness.

burnt  caramel cup Vianne Chocolat  

As I mentioned above, I have not made it through all of the Vianne Chocolat samples that I received. They are such high quality, richly flavored little gems that I want to savor them over a couple of days. I promise I will be reviewing each piece.

I can already see myself ordering these chocolates for a special occasion. Valerie seemed like such a lovely person, and there is such craft in these chocolates that I can not wait to try more. What makes the chocolate even better is that Valerie sources fresh cream and butter from New England dairies and also locally sources herbs, spices, fresh fruits, and other ingredients whenever possible. Talk about a win/win for everyone!

If you want more information or just to ogle photos of  beautiful chocolate, definitely visit her site.

I will be back from the Cape later today, but I hope you all have a fantastic Monday!

Tags: Boston, chocolate, Vianne Chocolat

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