Las Vegas: Teuscher at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort

At the risk of being redundant, which I know I am, I have to say again, I LOVE the Teuscher Champagne Truffle! 

This scrumptious delectable was certainly the first Chocolate item that I ever wrote about and the Houston Galleria Teuscher store was the first "job" I can clearly remember.

 
Another remembrance: My mother worked holiday seasons for a friend that owned the Teuscher's chocolate shop in the Galleria in Houston.  They needed hands, she didn't mind helping out and so she worked for chocolate.  I would come in from time to time and help also.  I was so amazed with the business model: Starting with going to the Houston's Intercontinental Airport to pick up the fragile chocolate, flown directly from Switzerland, and moving through retail store process, I fell in love with retail. International clientele, the Galleria and then there are those intricate beautiful boxes and packages. 

Herbie had it down, I was so sorry when some of the candy came in "broken", but man did I love to freely eat those unsellable morsels.  

So now that I am considerably older, and I put some brain power into thinking about it, I have my mother to blame for bad allergies (a family joke) and my wanting to work for chocolate.

What a delightful treat to see Herbie has moved his act to Miracle Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas-
Same little boxes, Same fantastic chocolate (+ more on this menu)...

Las Vegas: Jean Philippe Patisserie at the Aria

Take the Bellagio location and blow it out....

Chef Jean Philippe Maury has created an architectural marvel with his cafe and shop in the new and magnificent Aria Hotel and Casino.

I wasn't able to eat at the cafe but I will definitely be back to try the fare on my next trip to Vegas.  The chocolates are terrific.  The taste is second to none and the packaging is as good as it tastes.

Las Vegas: Jean Philippe Patisserie at the Bellagio

With renewed vigor from my Ah-Ha moment, I ran to the Bellagio to see the world's largest chocolate fountain.  Certified by the Guiness Book of World Records, this incredible glass fountain flows white, milk and dark chocolate, each with a very special river path, including chocolate falls,  from the ceiling to the floor.

First Video for EMC:

This is a beautiful small store selling the best of Jean Philippe's creations.

Las Vegas: Serendipity3 - my "AH-HA" moment

OK, it must be the irony of it all.

Here I am- walking the Las Vegas strip- thinking or talking with myself, saying: "what are you doing, Joe?", "are you really out here chronicling all of the great chocolate spots on Vegas Strip?", "are you really going to do this chocolate thing, for real?", "can you afford, on any level, a quest to eat all of the delicious chocolate in America?"

And I am trying to navigate my way from Caesars Palace/Forum Shops (previously discussed) to the Belagio, cutting through the parking area and looking for the fountain that Evel Knieval jumped when I was a kid, when BOOM.......A quick story: When I was a 8, I started visiting, by myself, my Great Aunt in NYC.  Something that would continue for a lifetime.  "Florency" made these pilgrimages so entertaining and FUN: somehow she got this 8 year old excited about museums, libraries and Broadway shows.  Of course, watching Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver and the amazing Mets wasn't bad either, but we always ended up, almost every night, going for a Hot Fudge Sundae or Frozen Hot Chocolate at a small place called Serendipity3. These are certainly my earliest vivid memories of eating large amounts of chocolate in one sitting....and then Boom......

....these memories flood back because AH-HA directly in front of me, blocking my path is...Serendipity3? really?

Yep, it was like a sign from above (actually)...  and yes, the frozen hot chocolate and hot fudge sundae's are still on the menu... and taste terrific     : )

Thank you Florence Marks and everyone else who sent me that Ah-Ha moment as sign to continue my search and stay true to myself and my intentions.......  eat more chocolate........