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!

Katrina Relief and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Some 20 families, including mine, decided to get together to try and help those that have sufffered so much on the Gulf Coast this past week. Our kids decided to make Chocolate, Cookies and Lemonade to sell on the street in the neighborhood to raise money for those in need. Mass Mutual Insurance agreed to match the cash raised. I don't know what we expected to raise in a 2 hour period on Saturday, September 3rd, but the power of kids, families and Chocolate raised $5000. With the match, $10,000 goes to help those in need--- we hope the Red Cross will put it to good use right away.

All of the extra cookies were taken to a downtown Dallas homeles shelter. The men and women there were so appreciative, as well.

Many good lessons for our kids-- out of a real tragedy, not to far away.