# Recommend me a purveyor of fine chocolate **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 26, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483 "2004-03-26T02:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/1 "2004-03-26T02:05:19Z")
The quandry: my girlfriend has been a big devotee of Godiva, but has grown disenchanted with their latest offerings. (She never forgave them for not repeating their rose and violet truffles of a few years ago.) So can anyone suggest a chocolatier on par with Godiva? One can find hundreds of chocolate vendors online, but I figure some informed recommendations from fellow Dopers will help whittle things down quickly. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![amie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@amie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amie)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/2 "2004-03-26T02:13:18Z")
> [@Nonsuch](#): > > The quandry: my girlfriend has been a big devotee of Godiva, but has grown disenchanted with their latest offerings. (She never forgave them for not repeating their rose and violet truffles of a few years ago.) So can anyone suggest a chocolatier on par with Godiva? One can find hundreds of chocolate vendors online, but I figure some informed recommendations from fellow Dopers will help whittle things down quickly. > > Thanks! Here are a couple of ideas, both excellent [Jacques Torres](http://www.mrchocolate.com/) and [Joseph Schmidt](http://www2.mailordercentral.com/jschmidtconfections/) Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/3 "2004-03-26T02:27:32Z")
I second **amie** ’s recommendation of Joseph Schmidt–excellent chocolates, and a San Francisco institution. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/4 "2004-03-26T02:33:37Z")
I’ve had chocolate all over the damn place, but the best I’ve ever had is from a place down the block from the house I grew up in (it wasn’t there at the time, or I would have spent my childhood at big as a hippo). [http://evanstonillinois.net/piron.html](http://evanstonillinois.net/piron.html) They make everything on the premises. I try not to even walk in there, because it’s too dangerous. I have no idea whether they ship, though. Beats the hell out of Godiva in any case. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/5 "2004-03-26T02:49:40Z")
I’m a big fan of Godiva, and Lindt is my very effective backup. And their truffles… what I would do for a Lindt truffle… Ahem. ---
**Author:** ![buttonjockey308](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bcef8e/32.png) [@buttonjockey308](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buttonjockey308)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/6 "2004-03-26T03:08:45Z")
I can suggest a few… 1. Lake Champlain Chocolates… This is a yearly thing, from Vermont. Very good. 2. Belgian Choclate Shop The best in Toronto… Plus… Chocolats Privilege. These are Montreal’s, if not Canada’s finest chocolate, though I’m not sure they have a website. Their address however is: Chocolats Privilege Inc 1225 rue de Conde Montreal, Quebec H3K 2E4 Canada The pricey Nirvana is always an option. And one cannot forget the [Neuhaus](http://www.neuhaus.be/) chocolatier either… O! The choices… ---
**Author:** ![dwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwyr/32/363_2.png) [@dwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwyr)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/7 "2004-03-26T03:53:54Z")
If you can afford it, there’s always [La Maison du Chocolat](http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.com/index.php). It’s pricey, but fabulous. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/8 "2004-03-26T06:37:57Z")
[Domori](http://www.domori.com) is the best chocolate I’ve ever had. If you want something that’s very good but more mainstream, try [Fran’s](http://www.franschocolates.com/). ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/9 "2004-03-26T06:38:36Z")
[Geneviève Grandbois](http://www.chocolatsgg.com/cartean.html) Montréal-area chocolatière, top quality. [Heyez](http://www.heyez.com/) Another local high-end outlet. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/10 "2004-03-26T07:01:33Z")
This one is great: Ganong From their site : Today, the love of chocolate and devotion to excellence leads David Ganong, a fourth generation chocolate maker, to preserve and perpetuate this rich heritage. The result is a joy. For at Ganong Chocolatier, you’ll discover many old-fashioned varieties, that haven’t been made in half a century, together with exquisite masterpieces of the confectioner’s art. This stuff is still handmade… oh and the best part. It’s in Canadian dollars 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/11 "2004-03-26T07:36:10Z")
The best value in chocolate is Sees. And, since you’re in Riverside, you can get their products. Not that there aren’t better chocolates- but none are the 3+ times in cost better than Sees. Sees is also a nut for freshness, and beat out Godiva for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/12 "2004-03-26T14:36:04Z")
I think I live just north of the Belgian Chocolate Shop. I remember my mother buying me chocolate mice there when I was little. I haven’t visited in years. Hmm. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/13 "2004-03-26T14:46:40Z")
Leonidas of Belgium is quite nice. > **[Leonidas Belgian Chocolates | serving the USA | based in NYC](https://leonidas-chocolate.com/)** > > Leonidas Belgian Chocolates offers a wide & exclusive assortment of chocolate & Belgian pralines, truffles, butter creams, Orangettes, and marzipan. Our signature pieces include Manon Cafe, Manon Blanc, Gianduja, Napolitains, and more. The... ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/14 "2004-03-26T15:11:38Z")
> [@buttonjockey308](#): > > I can suggest a few… > > 1. Lake Champlain Chocolates… > This is a yearly thing, from Vermont. Very good. Hey! I was gonna say that! Seriously, they make really good chocolates. It’s all hand-made, small batch stuff - definately worth every penny. ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/15 "2004-03-26T15:23:04Z")
I recommend See’s too. In fact, I’m going to go order some right now. [www.sees.com](http://www.sees.com) ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/16 "2004-03-26T17:08:11Z")
Another vote for Joseph Schmidt as the greatest chocolates produced in America (far better than American Godiva, and in my oppinion better even the Belgian Godiva). Has anyone had experience in directly importing chocolates from France or Belgium? I would fear thet the transportation would be likely to ruin the chocolates or else the cost of safe transportation would be astronomical. ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/17 "2004-03-26T17:56:55Z")
Thanks for the great suggestions so far, and please keep them coming! ---
**Author:** ![JayElle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@JayElle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JayElle)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/18 "2004-03-26T18:49:28Z")
[Vosges](http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/) chocolates are my new found favorite. I carry them in my store. The traditional chocolates are wonderful, but their gourmet blends with wasabi or curry or chili pepper are amazing! ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/19 "2004-03-26T20:00:26Z")
[Seroogy’s](http://www.seroogys.com/) is on par, price-wise, with Sees, and kicks the crap out of them quality-wise. It’s really too bad you can’t get their caramel apples outside of Green Bay, but they make all their chocolate from scratch, and it holds up well against every chocolate I’ve ever tasted. And I’m a rather fat man, who’s gone out of his way to sample every chocolate I’ve ever come across. (So, while I can’t speak against a lot of the smaller regionals mentioned in the thread, I feel safe saying “their chocolate is better than Sees, Godiva, Ghiradelli, Lindt, etc”) -lv ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483/20 "2004-03-26T20:04:17Z")
I have to second both Piron in Evanston and Vosges, which is based in Chicago. They’re both excellent. We may have lost Fanny May, but we still rule in Candyland. 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-me-a-purveyor-of-fine-chocolate/236483.md?page=2)