Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

Crispy Plain Chocolate Chip Cookies: I LOVE THEM!!

This has been a passion of mine my entire life. Probably was my introduction to chocolate when I was in diapers.

In my 22 years of "living" on the road, I have tried every chocolate chip cookie from every cookie store I have ever passed- that, my friends, is a lot of cookies!

I contacted Famous Amos about a franchise long before they ever franchised and long ago- since they are not in business the way they were when they kicked off the chain cookie store business (before Mrs. Field's entered the mall business) in the '70s. I was in high school in '78-'79 when I first talked to Wally, in Hawaii. My parents put the kibosh on my brilliant plan to be a cookie maven (college was more important- they told me) and someone else opened the store at the Houston Galleria. Who knows how big I would be today had I started baking for a profession 30 years ago.

I mention that because I need your help to find the 2008 version of the world's greatest crispy choco-chip (today-no soft ones, please).

My Hall of fame includes Hot Cookies' "Crispie Critters" at The Dadeland Mall in Miami and Nam's Cookies available at specialty shops like Swoozies (Atlanta and Dallas). There used to be a great cookie store at Kings Plaza in Queens, NY, but I believe it has also gone away...

Let me know where else I need to go.

LA: Chocolatine....I'm back

Well folks,

It has been quite a bit of time since I have posted a message. A new website and blog are on the way but I felt it important to start posting again. I have not stopped trying chocolate around the world, just been so busy, I have failed to report on all of the places I've been... and for that I truly and sorry.

This past week I was in "The Valley" of Los Angeles. It was a quick day trip, but my meeting ended early and I was able to find a great little local chocolate shop (and lunch spot) called "Chocolatine".

Located in Thousand Oaks on E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., the handmade chocolates are terrific. I brought home a small box and have thoroughly enjoyed all of the pieces. My favorites: The honey caramel is Fantastic, as is the white chocolate covered dark chocolate truffle. The thick nougat chocolate is terrific, too

What a pleasant surprise of a find!!

NYC: Charbonnel et Walker at Sak's Fifth Ave- Conveyor Belt- really?

Stopped by to check out the new chocolate store on the 8th floor of Sak's Fifth Ave.  OUTSTANDING idea.  Got the Drinking Chocolate drink and the Molton Chocolate Cake..  They were terrific!!

I really love the conveyor belt running in front of me at the counter, like "Blue C Sushi" at U. Village in Seattle. So here's the deal, as you try and you eat the amazing dessert you chose, they swing what seems like hundreds of other goodies in front of you, continuously, to challenge you decision or make you eat more than you can handle.  Either way, way too cruel of a joke.

But that is why I must go back- to try more + that is why I call this site eatMOREchocolate.

Corner Bakery Cafe - in a neighborhood near you...

What has mini M&Ms, chocolate chips, is crunchy around the edges and is soft on the inside?

What is fudgey decadent and moist with chocolate chips in every bite and an abundance of powdered sugar on top?

What is rich and sweet in chocolate with a hole in the center and just the perfect amount of icing on top?

Of course I am talking about the Monster Cookie, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Baby Chocolate Bundt Cake at Corner Bakery Cafe. (also featured are the always good and fresh chocolate chip cookies)

I used to scout real estate for this group and got immediately addicted to these goodies.  Although CB has many locations, it is hard to call this a chain.  Each location blends into it's neighborhood as if it has been there for generations.

I use Corner Bakery wherever I am as a second office- breakfast and lunch meetings and of course an afternoon snack place.  Always great!