Black (Chocolate) Friday

I get notices for all kinds of specials and try to focus on the ones I would actually attend -- but who can focus when it comes to Elizabeth Garber's truffles?! No matter what shopping you're doing on Friday, stop in to The Best Chocolate in Town for their Friday-after-Thanksgiving special -- all truffles $1.50 each. With a range of traditional truffle flavors (like raspberry and amaretto) and newer creations (like basil, lavender, goat cheese, and even Guiness), they are a remarkably inexpensive gift for hostesses, pals, or even co-workers. They are fresh and won't last more than a week or so, but you can buy as few as four and still get a nice box.

Plus, their announcement touts holiday flavors -- Gingerbread, Eggnog, and Candy Cane - which I haven't tried but, um, will be making a point to. You know, for *you* readers. I mean, even though I never met a chocolate I didn't like, I should make sure they're all good, right?

Look for peppermint bark, too, much better, and less expensive, I'd wager than the $30 boxes in the gourmet shop catalogs.

Kokomo, Strip Clubs, Candy, and Bacon!

Score one for the little guy: Ahh, Kokomo and strip clubs. It's like hamburgers and french fries. After a Howard County board denied a liquor license renewal based on inaccurate information and a few noisy remonstrators, the owner appealed and the system worked. Howard County overruled.

Mars Buys Wrigley: Biggest candy company in the world? Who still eats this stuff?

A Waste of Good Bacon: A suspicious package oozing liquid causes a bomb scare in a NY Congressman's office. Turns out it was a message about pork, and not the kind of pork-barrel spending that you want. Poor bacon!

Opening Party for Chocolate, The Exhibition

Just when you thought the Indiana State Museum couldn't top "Corn", here comes Chocolate, The Exhibition presented by who else? The South Bend Chocolate Company. While the exhibit officially opens Saturday, museum members and guests can get a sneak peak at the preview party later this week. They'll also enjoy chocolate desserts, specialty chocolate cocktails, and a silent auction.

Thursday, October 2

Sins of Chocolate Opening Party

7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Governor Frank O’Bannon Great Hall

Indiana State Museum

Purchase tickets by calling 317-233-9910

Three Latest and Best

Salted Caramels from Blu Boy: All of Blu Boy's exquisitely hand-crafted chocolate jewels are delicious in every flavor -- complete with hand painted tops. But my favorites right now? Salty, sweet, chocolate caramels. You won't be able to eat just one.

Chouda with Fons: What's better than eating Trader's Point Creamery Chouda -- a cheddar/gouda blend? Eating with Fons Smits, the cheesemaker, of course! (I almost didn't recognize him without his trademark knee high boots, white shirt, and paper hat!

Golden Plums from Locally Grown Gardens: Cold, ripe, sweet, and so juicy, you'll need a napkin when you bite into these home grown bounties of fruit goodness. Yet another reason why summer is my favorite season. All from the every-day farmer's market at 54th and the Monon Trail.

Two-Minute Warning: Is the honeymoon over? I'm kind of over Fresh Market, or maybe I'm wishing it would get over itself. Popped in today for some necessities and a little inspiration and found them lacking in both...again. Produce was scarce and some of the baked goods were bordering on day-old. The quality of their cute little cakes and breads really isn't that high to begin with, and I find I'm really disturbed by the total lack of local *anything* (along with those horrible, horrible plastic bags.) I almost always hear conversations between customers about how mass produced meat is so bad. People! You can get local, natural meat in Indiana so easily! Their prepared salads, soups, and dips are fine, but not above average. And even hungry, I find nothing I really want to eat. But perhaps most of all, I am over the check-out staff. Sullen, unfriendly, unknowlegable, attitude-laden -- it's adding insult to injury at the ridiculous prices. If I want stone faced silence, no smile, and a lack of product knowledge, I can go to Marsh up the street. Either way, Fresh Market's failures give me an excuse to keep patronizing my local faves. They won't displace my Goose-love anytime soon.

Three Latest and Best

Cocktails at Agio: The food may be off its mark these days, but Ron at Agio on Mass Ave is still one of the best bartenders in town. When I say "extra lime" with my G&T, Agio is a place that consistently gets it right.

Fish Tacos and King Crab at The Oceanaire: Yesterday for lunch, I went in for the fish tacos, but came away wowed by the fennel and smoked salmon salad piled high with juicy, piping hot chunks of Alaskan King crab claw meat. Why don't we eat crab hot more often? So sweet and good -- and perfect with the salty smoked salmon and spring crunchy freshness of the fennel. And yes, the fish tacos were great, too. (But why is it the Valrhona chocolate mousse that keeps me coming back? Why, why why?)

Pork Belly at Shanghai Lil: Monday, a few of us food folks popped in to Shanghai Lil to preview a few new menu items and get an updated take on the place. My biggest problem with this northside upscale Asian restaurant? They don't market themselves more! We had a family style feast including a wide range of new dishes owners are likely to try as specials. For dim sum you can't go wrong here with the buns, dumplings, and cakes. Don't miss the seafood "puffs" -- possibly the best version of crab rangoon I've ever had. (Next time, I'd skip the wasabi shu mai, though. I love wasabi and these were a bit much even for me.) The best of the new offerings? While the fried whole fish in a traditional sweet and sour sauce was great, the star was the pork belly braised "clay pot" style in a thick, rich broth served in shell shaped envelopes of Asian dumpling dough. Fantastic!

The Monday Chocolate Cure (for Cancer!)

It's Monday -- and what better way to get through the day than with chocolate from The Best Chocolate In Town. In celebration of April as breast cancer awareness month, the team at our favorite Mass Avenue chocolate shop is donating 20% of our chocolate sales -- each Monday -- to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. They're also walking in the Race For the Cure on April 19th and are well on their way to their $1000 team goal. Oh, and my latest favorites truffles? The Asian Spice, Wasabi Ginger, and Gorgonzola. Oh, and the Guiness. And the lavendar honey. And the white chocolate cheesecake. (Did I mention I've gained five pounds?!)

Three Latest and Best

...Stuff I've Been Eating Edition.

Unagi-Foie Gras Terrine from The Goose: Yes, you heard it right and there's only one chef pulling this sort of thing off on a regular basis -- Chris Eley at The Goose. Perfect layers of eel, fat, and a big chunk of foie right in the middle. Wow. Just. Wow. Have him slice it thinly for you, then secretly put a chunk on a cracker, sprinkle a tiny bit of fumee de sel, and devour. Do not share. Or only share with someone you really, really like. Best served with champagne while wearing PJs in front of the television.

Truffles from the Best Chocolate in Town: Was putting off going back to the office yesterday and after lunch and errands, craved a sweet. Stopped in to to Elizabeth Garber's delightful little shop on the East End of Mass Ave and chose a few tidbits from more than a dozen kinds of truffles and other bon bons. I've just started on my box of 8 or so (which will only set you back about $12) but so far, the Guinesss has been my favorite.

Vanilla Gelato from Trader Joe's: Yes, I know Trader Joe's isn't exactly haute cuisine, but I do love their desserts. Monday night, a friend served an apricot tart topped with that strange but oh-so-good style of whipped gelato from their freezer section. Espresso, chocolate and this not-too-sweet vanilla are good, if you can't find the real deal.

Truckload of Chocolate Stolen

Oh, there's so much more I want to know about this story! Guy hauling chocolate stops at a Michigan City truckstop. Comes out, his semi trailer is gone. Were there a bunch of enterprising women skulking about the place? What kind of chocolate? Was he hauling raw palettes of processed chocolate on it's way to a manufacturer (like Endangered Species Chocolates?) What is the street price for pure chocolate these days anyway? Or should I head up to the outlet mall today hoping there will be a "last minute" Vosges sale? And best yet, what on earth are the thieves going to do when the open up this semi trailer and find it's full of, say, Hershey's. I suspect there will be gunplay involved.

Bloomington's Blu Boy Chocolates

When it comes to food, the trips to Bloomington last week ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime. (FARM and Tallent: I leave you to decide which was which.) Also part of the wonderful? A stop by Bloomington's Blu Boy Bakery, home of the incredible -- and incredibly beautiful -- Blu Boy Chocolate. A 5-piece box will set you back about $10 depending on exactly which pieces you choose and it's tempting to use this method to buy gifts for everyone you know. We did. (You can also choose larger boxes.) My favorites? The swirly, hand painted Red Hemisphere truffle (Ancho Chili and Cinnamon), the molded "cleft" dome (Fiori di Sicilia), the Cocoa Bean Square (Bergamot), the crisply stenciled Circles/Squares (Blood Orange) and the Fleur de Sel Caramel. Sorry no pictures of this. They're handpainted!

When Pigs Fly

OK, this is just so wrong it's right -- a solid milk chocolate flying pig. With apple wood smoked bacon. And smoked salt. From Vosges, of course.

More Vosges Chocolate at The Goose

Five kinds of Vosges chocolate bars now at The Goose. Holy moly these are good. Hey, it's winter! We all have SAD! The weather is miserable. Chocolate is a mood lifter so it's OK to spend money on it. It's like over-the-counter medication. Currently, they have:

Barcelona: smoked almonds, sea salt, deep milk chocolate
Black Pearl: ginger, wasabi, black sesame seeds, dark chocolate (One of my personal favorites)

Mo's Bacon Bar: (Holy crap, you have to try this) Applewood smoked bacon, smoked salt, deep milk chocolate

Oaxaca -- guajillo and pasilla chilis, Tanzanian bittersweet chocolate (eating this right now)

Creole --New Orleans chicory coffee, cocoa nibs, Sao Thome bittersweet chocolate

And I'm warning you. Do *not* click over to look at the Vosges chocolate Easter bunnies. Seriously. Just. Don't. Do. It.

Leap Day Truffles

I heard about the Leap Day Truffle and got all excited envisioning a gnarly hunk of fungus just waiting to be shaved for my tasting pleasure. Of course, Elizabeth Garber of The Best Chocolate in Town makes the *other* kind of truffle -- the chocolate kind and no less delicious. If you're looking for a way to celebrate Friday, February 29 this year, you'll want to look in to this option. These special edition truffles will be a milk-chocolate ganache center with ground pistachio and a burst of saffron, dipped in milk-chocolate and sprinkled with gold leaf. (They'll also be individually wrapped and numbered.)

Light as a Feather Tiramisu

Here's a little mid-afternoon snack dream for you! If I was making dessert right now, this would be it -- light as a feather tiramisu. Let me be clear -- I don't like all tiramisu. I like good tiramisu. And this looks fantastic. Maybe I will change my evening plans after all. Via What Geeks Eat.

Q: Chocolate or Cheese

The other night while crowded in a cozy bar for dinner, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation at the table next to me -- and the spirited answers! The question? If you had to give up one or the other for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chocolate or cheese? What a question! So, I pose it to you, dear reader. What would you give up? Chocolate or Cheese?

What I Learned in Indianapolis Dine

Whoa, didn't mean to take the whole weekend off from posting, but I was eating cheese. A week or so late, but here's what I learned in the latest issue of Indianapolis Dine magazine.

Flat Food is Alive and Well: Remember the scene in Doug Coupland's book Microserfts where the programmers go to the grocery store looking for food to slide under their colleague's office door? Flat food lives -- although certainly featuring a few more upscale items. Mmm. Braseola.

Vosges Cocoa: Who knew? Vosges makes a Bianca White Chocolate Cocoa with hints of meyer lemon and lavender. $19.50 for a one pound box @ The Goose.

Taste of the NFL: Elements chef Greg Hardesty heads to Arizona on Feb 2 to represent Indianapolis for a second year in the Taste of the NFL, a pre-Super Bowl fundraiser where each team is represented by a chef and dish. Looking for the recipe for his Pigskin and Duck Confit? Check out the 2008 Restaurant Guide and Recipe Book from Tasteofthenfl.com. (Hardesty's recommended restaurants include H2O Sushi (his former place), Taste Cafe, Oakley's Bistro, RBistro, and Restaurant Tallent.)

Foodies Unite! Check out the fun article on Chaine des Rotisseurs and Holly Banta -- one of my favorite foodies in town. It's true. More people are eating together and appreciating good food. Make that a resolution this year. Get together with like minded friends and cook a meal together.

Hot Cocoa from Alton Brown

Even with this heat wave (predicted to be almost 60 today!), these next few days will be perfect for watching football and Christmas movies with family and friends. I was casting about for a good hot cocoa recipe and found a Food Network oldie from Alton Brown. This makes a dry mix suitable for storing in a tall bale jar or canister or giving away in little packages. Just mix it with hot water (although you can use milk) and add a peppermint marshmallow. A good shot of Bailey's really does it justice. Makes 5.5 cups of mix -- enough for 8-10 cups of cocoa. And don't leave out that cayenne kick! Perfect for giving it that little unidentifiable something. It makes all the difference!

Spicy Winter Hot Chocolate

2.5 cups powdered milk
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa (Dutch process preferred, I used the Special Dark/Dutch. This is a perfect way to use it up since it didn't work for the last batch of brownies.)

2 tsps cornstarch

1 tsp salt

1 pinch cayenne pepper or more to taste

He says to fill mug half full of mix. In a large mug, I found three heaping tablespoons was plenty. Add hot water and stir.

Monday Morning Tidbits

Christmas Turkey Deadlines Fast Approaching: If you're thinking of a fresh, natural bird for the holidays, get your orders in now. Deadlines will be quickly approaching at markets such as Joe's Butcher Shop and The Goose. (On the other hand, Boo! to Joe for carrying and advertising Atkins Cheesecakes. Atkins is one business off my list permanently and I hope off many other people's lists as well.)

Death by Chocolate: Indychannel.com reports a worker was killed possibly while cleaning a machine at the South Bend Chocolate Company. No word on exactly how he died other than from trauma. South Bend health officials are investigating.

InTake Ceases Publication: From Ruth Holladay who seems to have an ear to all things Star, InTake will cease publication after this week's issue. Thursday's will be the last. They are folding some content into their site.

An Expensive Bottle of Scotch: New York City auction house Christies held the first rare wine and spirits auction Saturday since the beginning of prohibition over the weekend. New York state only lifted the ban on spirits auctions this year. No word on the wine, but the liquor was clearly the draw. Top selling lot was a 729 bottle lot of whiskeys which sold for $102,000. The top selling single bottle was a 1926 Macallan whiskey which sold for $54,000. Via SF Gate.

Three Latest and Best

Supper Club Prime Rib: I've been craving prime rib all fall and I finally conspired to satisfy my taste for rich, fatty meat by scheduling it for our supper club. Chef Karl Benko of Peterson's (a valued member of our group) arrived with the lovingly aged star of the show -- crusty and wonderful wet aged, then dry aged for three weeks. My piece was so beautifully melted together I couldn't tell where the meat stopped and the fat began. Oh, so good! Add truffle butter, horseradish, rich and cheesy potatoes, creamed spinach, salad, cornbread, and incredible chocolate Bourbon pecan pie and we had one fantastic holiday dinner! We drank lots and lots of great wine including one of my new favorites, a champagne that requires a bit more research before I list it. (Harder to find than I thought. Nolan may be along shortly to give us more information.)

Toast and Nutella from Petit Chou: Petit Chou in Broad Ripple is now officially on my avoid-on-Sunday-morning list because of the wait. We should have known better arriving at peak brunch time, but after a 45 minute gab session with the girls *before* we got a table, my grumpiness dissipated thanks to the oh-so-simple brioche toast slathered in melty Nutella. And with their melon-free fruit salad, it was enough to get me back. Grrrrr. (With new space open at Cafe Patachou at 49th and Penn, it may be time for me to return to my old haunts!)

Chocolate Truffles for Breakfast: With all this discussion of chocolate, I had to admit that I'm up to my elbows in it this morning! Literally! The holidays are upon us and that means it's time for truffles. They are possibly the easiest holiday treat to make (the hardest and messiest part being rolling them out!) and I coat mine in tasty things in coatings like chipotle powder, sugar, cocoa, and freshly ground spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and allspice. Here's the tried and true recipe I use.