ChocolateBet: November 3, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
2 pieces (figs)
La Biscotteria
Chocolate Dipped Figs
Good + - Very Good
Weight: ~ .8 oz. (22 g.) for 2 figs/8 oz. (226 g.) for total pkg. of 20 figs
Calories: 108 calories (estimate) in 2 figs
Cost: $14.00 for a package of ~ 20 figs
Purchased from: La Biscotteria, in Redwood City, CA

Mission black figs were dipped in "German dark chocolate." Very nice. I also plan to try some of these figs drizzled with brandy, topped with whipped cream, and maybe a dusting of nutmeg.

ChocolateBet: November 2, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 frozen bar
Klondike (Unilever)
Klondike bar made with Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Good +
Weight: 4 fl. oz. (118 mL)/24 fl oz. (709 mL)
Calories: 260 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $3.99 in 1 package of 6 bars
Purchased from: Safeway, in Palo Alto, CA

Reese's has done a great job extending their brand to a variety of product offerings. I've enjoyed most of them. I like Reese's peanut butter cups and I like ice cream. The frozen chocolate coating has to stand up to freezing temperatures as well as contact with warm hands. I'm not wild about the texture and taste of most chocolate coatings like this; however, this coating worked, and looks like it was made without hydrogenated oils.

ChocolateBet: November 1, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 package of 8 small cookies
La Biscotteria
Amaretti Mini Chocolate Dipped Cookies
Very Good +
Weight: ~ 2.2 oz. (63 grams) in one package of 8 small cookies
Calories: ~ 230 calories (estimate)
Cost: $5.00 for package of 8 small cookies
Purchased from: La Biscotteria, in Redwood City, CA

These mini Amaretti cookies (with chocolate on the flat side) were a slight variation on yesterday's larger amaretti with chocolate ganache cookie (topped with almond pieces). Both were excellent. For those that can't tolerate wheat or gluten, and can eat almonds, these amaretti are one of the best alternatives you could hope to find.

ChocolateBet: October 31, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 cookie
La Biscotteria
Amaretti Chocolate Ganache Cookie
Very Good +
Weight: ~ 2.5 oz. (estimate)
Calories: ~ 300 calories (estimate)
Cost: $3.00
Purchased from: La Biscotteria, Redwood City, CA

First, Happy Halloween all. I have failed for three years running to find a chocolate skull in time for Halloween. I did finally find one today, online -- from Vosges, based in the Chicago area. So, provided they haven't run out already, I'll cover that in November.

However, I believe I found something better for today. Yesterday, I visited La Biscotteria (Redwood City, CA) for the first time.

This Italian themed, family-run business (see image of owner and shop above), sells biscotti and very tasty baked goods, pottery, and other items, such as chocolate dipped figs. Their Amaretti cookies (wheat-free) are excellent, and are available with and without chocolate, in small and large sizes. Today I enjoyed a large Amaretti cookie (with chocolate).

(The image of several of these cookies on plate above is from La Biscotteria website.) Definitely a great Halloween treat. An (optional) small glass of port might go well with this cookies in the future.

ChocolateBet: October 30, 2009

Chocolate of the Day #1:
1 small square
Valrhona
Guanaja
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~ .28 oz. (8 grams) (estimate)
Calories: ~42 calories (estimate)
Cost: $0.40
Purchased from: Fog City News, San Francisco, CA

Valrhona has an excellent reputation for rich, smooth dark chocolates. This 70% (cacao) square made from beans from South America delivered.

Chocolate of the Day: #2
Brand: (Made for Candy Land)
Monterey Bay Otter Poop
Good+
Weight: 4 oz. (113 g.)
Calories: ~ 600 calories
Cost: $4.99 for 1 bag
Purchased from: Candy Land, in Monterey, CA

My second chocolate today, Monterey Bay Otter Poop, veered into the shallow end of the chocolate decorum pool. Two days ago a friend and I watched otters frolic in their tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium before popping into Bubba Gumps for lunch and Candy Land for dessert. Perhaps when I saw this bag I was still suffering from otter adoration syndrome. As far as I know, absolutely no otter poop was involved in the making of these chocolates. The bag contained chocolate covered praline peanuts. (I believe the same manufacturer also makes chocolate homages to other types of animal scat (e.g. moose droppings, bear poop), and sells them to/brands them for local retailers and tourist shops throughout North America.)

ChocolateBet: October 29, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:

1 regular serving (cup)
Fosters Freeze LLC
Soft serve ice cream - 1/2 vanilla + 1/2 chocolate
Good + - Very Good
Weight: ~ 5 oz. (estimate)
Calories: ~ 180 calories (estimate)
Cost: $1.91 (includes $0.16 tax)
Purchased from: Fosters Freeze, in Menlo Park, CA

Fosters Freeze, is a California-based fast food chain that is famous for their soft serve ice cream, burgers, fries and other frozen dessert treats. There is a nostalgic fondness for this ~60-year old chain. Apparently in 2006, local residents signed a petition to prevent the demolition of the Menlo Park Fosters Freeze location that I visited this evening. I certainly enjoyed my vanilla and chocolate soft serve ice cream swirled together in a cup - a lower calorie option than most ice creams.

ChocolateBet: October 28, 2009

Chocolate of the Day:
1 serving (glass)
PortoFino restaurant
Hot chocolate with Sambuca, brandy, whipped cream
(hot chocolate version of their Caffe Portofino coffee drink)
Very Good - Very Good +
Weight: ~ 8 fluid oz. (237 mL)
Calories: ~ 430 calories (estimate)
Cost: $7.75
Purchased from: PortoFino restaurant, in Carmel, CA

There was something extra transporting about sipping a licorice*-laced hot chocolate in a cottage near the sea. Actually, PortoFino (translation: beautiful door) restaurant was a great restaurant disguised as a cottage, in true Carmel style. Wonderful hot soup + this drink was enough to take the chill off a cool, breezy afternoon.

*Sambuca is an Italian anise-flavored liqueur