La Maison du Chocolate on Madison Ave introduced a preview of their 2018 Valentines Collection last Tuesday. Add in bubbles and you have the most perfect Tuesday evening on the Upper East Side.
The space is elegant with an understated decadence. It’s a room full of chocolate!! Beautifully merchandised but also reminds you of a sweet Shoppe in Paris or a quaint Mom and Pop Store if Mom and Pop were beautiful French people kissing you on both cheeks.
In the heart of Parisian Gardens
La Maison du Chocolate’s Valentine’s collection is a stylized study in Parisian landscape architecture. Nicolas Cloiseau sets the stage for strolls through Paris’ verdant pathways and hidden ponds, from rows of linden trees to the orangeries of the gardens. Tenderness is infused into this year’s Valentine’s Collection depicting the City of Lights in a beguiling melody of fragrances and flavors…
As I look at this collection box I imagine myself as Mary Poppins and jumping into a chalk sidewalk drawing taking me to Paris.
My heavenly Tasting…
The Valentine Collection is a quartet that sings to your taste buds in notes of ginger and sea salt and citrus composed in a velvet melody.
Orangeraie
Dark chocolate ganache features an orange/blood orange infusion to underscore the nuances of the citrus’ finest flavors. The ganache is gently stirred with both the citrus’ juice and the zest to awaken the crisp, bubbling notes of the finest chocolate.
Fruity Jasmine
With its more moderate tones, the fruity sensation of a sweet mango gelée, mixed with a subtle dash of vanilla, is juxtaposed to the delicate undertones of white jasmine flowers. In a rich, creamy ganache the fruit and infused flowers are enhanced with salty a touch of caramel. (My personal favorite)
Lemon tilleul honey
With a sweet rush of milk chocolate, the floral symphony of Parisian linden trees envelop our palates with delicate flavors. The sour melody of the lemon juice complements the herbal whiff of the ganache and leaves room for the creamy notes of honey.
Zested Ginger
Just imagine Parisian energy coded into short sequences. Ginger and lemon tones alternate each other in a dark almond praliné with accents of caramelized nuts. The spicy, peppery rush of one shakes up the acidulous side of the other in an exhilarating pairing, which is sure to be noticed.
Composition
Orangeraie: dark chocolate ganache with the juice of blood oranges, and oranges with a zest infusion.
Fruity jasmine: milk chocolate ganache with a jasmine infusion on top of a vanilla mango gelée.
Lemon tilleul honey: milk chocolate ganache with tilleul, tilleul honey, enhanced with lemon juice.
Zested ginger: dark chocolate praliné with almonds and ginger with zests of candied lemon.
Available in the boutiques and online on January 24, 2018
Madison Boutique – 1018 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10075
(718) 361 9161
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Faith Rein is a New York City-based food curator, freelance writer, and self-described lover of all things culinary. With a palate shaped by years of eating her way across the country — from East Coast neighborhood joints to West Coast hidden gems — Faith believes that food is best explored with a community of like-minded foodies by your side. A contributor to New York Street Food and formerly of the food and lifestyle blog 2 Girls from a Bar, she has also created her own culinary platform, Be a Betty by Faith (beabettybyfaith.com), dedicated to making the culinary arts accessible to every woman. Whether she’s reviewing a Flushing dim sum institution or hunting down the best happy hour in Astoria, Faith brings warmth, curiosity, and an honest appetite to every table. You can find her @: Faith.rein/facebook (always looking to add friends) / faith rein@twitter / faith.rein@instagram / [email protected]
