Chocomania

For those who think the four food groups should be milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles, relief is at hand. These places see the world the way you do:

Posted December 21, 2007 by Rosalie Saferstein

Purists can explore the complex pleasures of dark chocolate at The Chocolate Path in Montclair (973-655-0822). The dark-only inventory includes hard-to-find Amedei bars, made from the rare Porcelana bean; the Belgian bar is made with 75 percent dark organic chocolate with green tea. Chocolate cookbooks and a hot cocoa bar complete the experience.

Tad Van Leer, owner of J. Emanuel Chocolatier in Chester (908-879-0500), has combined the properties of chocolate and wine in his shop’s luscious Bacchus truffles. Varietals include Zinfandel, Cabernet, Merlot, and Malbec.

The Chocolate Fantasy Buffet is offered four times a year (February 17, April 28, October 14, and November 17) at the Washington Inn in Cape May (609-884-5697, capemaymac.org). Featured desserts include white-chocolate raspberry tart, chocolate-hazelnut baklava, milk chocolate crème brûlée, and double-chocolate pecan pie, as well as chocolate drinks.

The cocoa-inclined can make their own chocolate with supplies bought at Candyland Crafts in Somerville (908-685-0410): chocolate for molding, plus more than 3,000 candy molds, including some with adult themes that you’ll need ID to buy.

Chocolate Bar LBI is a new hot spot in Beach Haven (609-492-2577) selling “retro-reconfigured” chocolate bars in flavors like caramel apple, as well as decadent truffles, bonbons, and clusters. Owner Alison Nelson’s “choco-tique” also sells chocolate-themed T-shirts, totes, and candles.

Think chocolate is only for eating? Think again, preferably while luxuriating in a three-and-a-half-hour full-body chocolate massage at Salon 5 & Spa in Fort Lee (201-944-8011), including a chocolate sugar scrub, chocolate facial, and a spicy chocolate manicure. Yummy.

For more stories about: Fort Lee, Montclair, J. Emanuel Chocolatier, Washington Inn, Chester, Somerville, Candyland Crafts, Nelson, Alison