My 5 Favorite Chocolate Treats Now

When it comes to chocolate, I always say the darker, the better.

But that’s just me. I think no matter what your preference is, you’ll agree that chocolate is simply one of the most delicious things on earth. It lifts a bad mood and brightens a gloomy day. It makes anyone feel better and gives everyone a reason to celebrate. It is the ultimate comfort food and, surely, chocolate is the best (and easiest) way to indulge and spoil yourself!

So what are my current favorite chocolate desserts?

Le Petit Souffle’s Dark Chocolate Valrhona Soufflé

This Dark Chocolate Valrhona Souffle from Le Petit Souffle of Chef Miko Aspiras is made of 76% Guanaja Chocolate (yes, it’s THAT dark!!) and then baked to perfection. The result is a rich and velvety smooth soufflé, where the Valrhona simply melts in your mouth! My favorite thing to do with this dessert is to order one for myself and then another one for my kids, so I am not “forced” to share this delicious creation with them! 🙂

Le Petit Souffle
3rd Floor, Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue corner Salamanca Street, Poblacion, Makati City
Tel: 8863056 / 7185681 / Mobile: +63 9273872703
FB: Le Petit Souffle / IG: @lepetitsouffleph

Sprungli Pralines and Truffles

I love an assortment of little chocolates, especially the ones that come in pretty boxes like this. I get giddy with excitement whenever I open a new one and see the whole variety in front of me, only to get confused which one I should try first!

It’s even more exciting when I receive it as a gift (most of them are pasalubongs) because it shows how much my friends really know me! These chocolate treats by Confiserie Sprüngli from Zurich are seriously some of the best Swiss chocolates I’ve had.

Confiserie Sprüngli
www.spruengli.ch
Bahnhofstrasse 21, Zürich, Switzerland

Levain Bakery’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookie

Whenever I go to New York, a stop in Levain Bakery is always a must. This little bakeshop in the basement of a tiny building in the Upper West Side is where I find the world’s best freshly baked cookies! The extra long lines right outside their store are definitely worth the wait and extra calories I consume as soon as I get their gigantic cookies in my hands!

Even from a distance, one can already smell their freshly baked cookies wafting through the air. The Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip is, of course, my favorite amongst their many kinds. It has that nice combination : chewy and crispy outside, but still soft and gooey inside!

Levain Bakery
www.levainbakery.com
167 West 74th St., New York
FB: levainbakery / IG: levainbakery

Sadaharu Aoki Chocolate Green Tea

Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki is known in Japan for its well made, delicious French pastries combined with Asian ingredients. They are particularly famous for their pretty little cakes and macarons. But not everyone knows about their chocolate.

Being the chocoholic that I am, I immediately spotted this white box filled with dark chocolate cubes topped with matcha powder, sitting in one corner of the shop. Because I have always been a fan of green tea myself, (especially the authentic ones, which you can only find in Japan), I grabbed this last box immediately. It was so good, I went back the next day and hoarded more!

Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki
www.sadaharuaoki.com
Japan: Tokyo | Nagoya | Fukuoka | www.sadaharuaoki.jp
France: Paris
Taiwan: Taipei

Toyo Eatery’s Dark Chocolate Balls with Dulce de Leche and Patis

Yes, you read that right! These are dark chocolate balls (made of our local Malagos chocolate from Davao) infused with dulce de leche and our humble patis (fish sauce)! I know it sounds a bit off and weird but, believe me when I say that this is one ridiculously good chocolate concoction! I found myself pleasantly surprised (or shall I say shocked?!) that something as luxurious as chocolate can blend well with our local fish sauce! Definitely, one for the books and definitely, one of those memorable unforgettable chocolate treats! Now if only Toyo Eatery will make more of these and sell them in boxes too to take home…

(I recently wrote about Chef Jordy Navarra, the genius chef behind this new and innovative Filipino restaurant who is pushing the boundaries of Philippine cuisine here.)

Toyo Eatery
2316 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Mobile: +63 917 7208630
FB: Toyo Eatery / IG: toyoeatery
Open at 6:00 PM, Tuesdays to Saturdays