After learning about my chocolate obsession, a friend from work told me the most amazing news ever - his wife works in marketing for the beloved MarieBelle (www.mariebelle.com)
! If you're not familiar, MarieBelle is a chocolatiere with a shop in Soho, over on Broome Street. To celebrate her opening of a store in Kyoto, she partnered with a Japanese kimono designer named named Nobuaki Tomita, and he used her chocolate to make the first ever chocolate kimono! Unfortunately I ruined my 15 seconds of fame with MarieBelle & Tomita by making weird faces at Craig's camera, but I had to post the pic anyway since I was so excited to meet her!
Craig, Cjap and I went to the event over at the Lowell hotel, where up on the second floor MarieBelle and Tomita were waiting to showcase his array of stunning kimonos, as well as demonstrate how he created the chocolate kimono. At the end of the show, where we saw up close and personal how to dress like a geisha, they handed out MarieBelle's hot chocolate and a gift bag with a sampling of her luxury chocolates in an adorable case.
Why do we love MarieBelle? Her chocolates are not only delicious and made from the finest and most diverse (and natural) ingredients, but each and every piece is a work of art.
Her chocolates are bite size, and while there are standard combinations like hazelnut, mint and caramel, there are also flavors such as earl gray, cilantro, lavender, mojito, dulce de leche, and caipirinha (leading me to believe she is inspired by flavors around the world, predominantly South America!).
There are regular chocolates and chocolate bark as well, but since we tasted the hot chocolate tonight that's what I'll focus on. This takes the lead, replacing City Bakery as my favorite hot chocolate. It was thin enough to drink, but thick where you felt like it was more of a luscious dessert than a beverage. Caryn and I were so filled up on a glass that we didn't even eat dinner (okay, the hors d'eurves and wine may have had something to do with that too). While I've shied away from purchasing too much MarieBelle in the past because I'd need a second job to cover the cost, it makes a lovely gift for any occasion. Actually everyone, Christmas is just around the corner so if you want to send some as a holiday/housewarming gift...just saying :)
The shop and cafe are located at 484 Broome Street, and while you can purchase her chocolate at retail locations like Whole Foods, the store is definitely worth a visit. Both the shop and cafe are beautifully decorated - it has the feel that you're stepping into a victorian living room at tea time. Or if you're visiting Japan, check out the Kyoto location!
To order online and receive your own blue box in the mail:
http://www.mariebelle.com/store
