Sweetness

Michigan Avenue is a world renowned shopping district but what many don’t realize is that it also holds some of the most interesting chocolate shops in the city. Since I have a very large sweet tooth – which has seen the dentist numerous times – I thought I would share some insight and background to some of my favorite chocolatiers in Chicago.

If you start from the hotel, at the northern end of the mile, a half block from us is the 900 North Michigan shopping mall. Within the mall there is Teuscher, a Swiss chocolatier, located on the 5th floor. They first started over 70 years ago in a small town in the Swiss Alps and have branched out all over the world. Their most notable chocolates are their truffles, which come in many varieties and flavors. The Teuscher's signature Truffle, a Dom Perignon cream center surrounded by a dark chocolate ganache, coated in milk chocolate and sprinkled with confectioner’s sugar, is the best one. Not to mention that after about 15 of them, you’ll be quite happy and very energetic.

Two blocks south of the hotel is the Magnificent Mile’s largest mall, Water Tower Place. Located on the 4th floor of the mall is Godiva Chocolatier. It was founded 80 years ago in Brussels, Belgium when master chocolatier Joseph Draps founded a chocolate company that was named in honor of the legend of Lady Godiva. This small shop features all of Godiva’s signature treats, biscuits, caramels, fruit and nuts, ganaches, pralines, solids and mints, and truffles. For us guys, they also have assorted boxes if you have to quickly pickup a gift for that someone special. Whenever I’m in the Water Tower I have to stop by and pick up one of their jumbo chocolate covered strawberries – they’re so good. On a side note, the Martini Bar in the lobby does offer and White/Dark Chocolate Godiva martini…

Also located within Water Tower Place is Macy’s department store which sells the ever addicting Frango Mint. Since 1918, Frango has been cooking up batches of savory, yet refreshingly melt-in-your-mouth mint chocolate. Frango’s were popularized by Marshall Fields Department Store in 1929 and have become a staple associated with that name; even though it is now Macy’s. You can find them in a few different flavors, caramel and toffee, plus the original Frango - a delectable combination of smooth milk chocolate and refreshing mint that comes together to dazzle your taste buds.

At the Water Tower Park, located off Pearson Street and Michigan Avenue, there are two places to choose from: Ghiradelli and Hershey. Ghiradelli is one of the oldest names in the chocolate business; they were incorporated in 1852 and have been in continuous production since then. They have an excellent selection of squares, bars, fruits and nuts, hot cocoa, and baking supplies. Not to mention one of the best hot fudge sundaes in the city. The Hershey store is fun for everyone; they have kisses, treats and chocolate galore. You can buy a 10 lb. chocolate bar to gnaw on, mix your own bucket of treats in their giant machine, and try out the meanest brownie on Michigan Ave.

Lastly, my personal favorite is Vosges: Haut Chocolate at the North Bridge Shopping Mall on the second floor. Owner/Chocolatier, Katrina Markoff, personally chooses every spice, flower and chocolate that is flown into their Chicago kitchen. Inspired by her global apprenticeships, Vosges truffles have exotic influences of an "East meets West" theme. The infusions of rare spices and flowers combined with premium chocolate give a delicate balance of flavor. Two excellent examples of this fusion are Mo’s Bacon Bar and Naga truffles. Mo’s Bacon Bar is just as it sounds, a mixture of applewood smoked bacon, Adler smoked salt and milk chocolate. This salty sweet bacon combo sounds terrible, but tastes so good. The Naga truffles are my favorite – they are a blend of milk chocolate, coconut and rolled in sweet Indian curry powder. They also offer exotic truffles from around the world including India, South America and Italy.

So, as you venture through the shops along Michigan Avenue, try to work in a little tasty treat. There are chocolates everywhere you turn, so don’t be shy. Consider it as a power snack in a long day of shopping.