Bagnols (near Lyon), France: A dessert for Kings!

Château de Bagnols: Simply Golrious!

If you ever wanted to travel to a particular spot in the world and pretend you were character in a fairy tale or that you were a 13th Century Knight, you must fly to France and stay at Relais & Chateaux "castle" hotel: Château de Bagnols.  My wife and I had the privilege last night to stop as we drove from Cannes (South of France) to Paris. It is about halfway, near Lyon in the small village of Bagnol- where the Chateaux seems to be the center of attention.

From the 13th century, the chateau features impressive towers, the original dry moat, unique architecture and a dramatic entrance across a drawbridge. The historic Château de Bagnols is a spectacular hotel with 21 unique rooms and a phenomenal restaurant.  A few years ago, we did a "castle hotel" tour of France and I remember the meals were fantastic but this one out did all those before.  let me say, maybe one of the most spectacular meals of my life.  

The topper was the dessert.  My pictures do not do it justice but it this was in the top 5 best desserts I have ever had in my life...Chocolate Ganache topping Chocolate Mouse with layers of white chocolate and layers of crunchy chocolate biscuit cookie with a chocolate bar on top and sticking out of the top. I cannot say more than I need to go back now!

Columbus: Sugardaddy's - relax, it is clean and still very good

Plain Jane

 Sugardaddy's Sweeties are terrific.

Caramel Sweetie

While I was in Columbus I stumbled across this institution.  Hockey Puck style brownies called "Sweeties".


I really loved the round look and the big taste.  I then sent a box to a Columbus client and they were impressed I had found the place and said they loved it too.

Drunken Chunky

Didn't have much time to explore everything they sell but did try 2 "Sumptuous Brunettes"-  the "Plain Jane" and the "Caramel" as well as a "Blonde Sweetie"- the "Drunken Chunky".  

Great packaging and terrific gift ideas available online at Sugardaddy's website

Cereality- don't forget the chocolate chips

Well this isn't my traditional entry but it could be.  I could have ordered the Cocoa Krispies or the Cocoa Puffs.... but I like to mix Life Cereal + Frosted Flakes with, of course, chocolate chips.

A few years back, I met a group marketing a business plan for a concept that would allow people to make their own cereal by combining the best of cereals from the grocery store shelf into cool packaging.

Common ingredient is the customer gets to make it their way.  Great idea- Cereality
is also a winner.  The closest to me is Terminal C at DFW airport: if you're flying through, try it.  Breakfast Cereal isn't just a morning meal anymore...

Beverly Hills: K Chocolatier- a Legend

History: If I remember correctly, Kron Chocolates was "the" chocolate shop of some repute in the 70s and 80s. They were a collection of franchisee stores anchored by the Kron corporate stores owned and operated by the Kron family. Of Hungarian decent and recipes, Kron was known for truffles and most importantly Molded Chocolate. The Big Chocolate Female Leg, Female Torso, Calculator and even a Champagne Bottle are some of the first I remember from Kron and the chocolate was quite good. How bad can solid chunks of chocolate be  : )

Now: I don't know what happened to the franchise system, in my travels I have stopped by many "Kron" stores, but it appears all of the stores operate independently now and I've hit a few- Great Neck, NY, Washington, DC, Aventura, Fl. Panache in Kansas City was originally a Kron store as were other now "local" shops that have changed their names.

Today: This was a real treat!! I met Diane Kron at her "K" Chocolatier shop, today. A real pro- K still has her terrific delicious chocolates served up in the heart of Beverly Hills.  The stories and the samples are just too good.

Thanks Dianne.