Chocolate of the Day:
Jer's Chocolates
Gourmet Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars - Cara Mella
Good
Weight: 1.5 oz. (42.5 g.) in 1 bar / 3.0 oz. (85 g.) in total package of 2 bars
Calories: 210 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $5.99 total package of 2 bars
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, in Palo Alto, CA
I could have had two Cara Mella dark chocolate peanut butter bars from
Jer's Chocolates (Solana Beach, CA) if I wanted them today. Made with U.S. Valencia peanut butter, the bars filling contained a blend of a slightly crunchy/crispy layer (likely the crisp rice), and thick creamy elements. Each package came with two individually wrapped bars. However, after one bar I felt full.
This sense of being overstuffed could have come from a generous portion size, or from some of the ingredients in these bars. A note to those eating gluten free, while no wheat or gluten ingredients were listed on the wrapper, consumers were advised that these bars: "May Contain Trace Amount of Almonds, Pecans, Cashews and Wheat Flour."
The head confectioner, Jer (Jerry Swain), started his business with peanut butter and chocolate balls and, after winning awards, began making a line of bars that has included the Cara Mella; the Pretzo Change-O (with pretzel bits); Toffee Break; and the Original Incredibar flavors.
Today was Day #6 of Chocolate and Peanut Butter Theme Week.
Chocolate of the Day:
Chocolate of the Day: 
Calories: 120 calories in 2/5 bar
I like distinct layers of flavors inside a bar or truffle. It's an opportunity to taste these flavors separately and together. In today's case, I could see and taste the peanut butter layer and the seedless raspberry jelly layer inside this milk chocolate PB and J Sandwich bar from Hammond's Candies (Denver, CO).
Chocolate of the Day: 
I could have had two Cara Mella dark chocolate peanut butter bars from Jer's Chocolates (Solana Beach, CA) if I wanted them today. Made with U.S. Valencia peanut butter, the bars filling contained a blend of a slightly crunchy/crispy layer (likely the crisp rice), and thick creamy elements. Each package came with two individually wrapped bars. However, after one bar I felt full.
Purchased from: Golden Gate Bridge Cafe, in San Francisco, CA
Chocolate of the Day: 
I like monkeys; they make me smile. And I can't help but think of them when I eat combinations of peanut butter, chocolate and banana. I enjoyed the bites of this bar from Wild Ophelia (Chicago, IL) that had chewy, flavorful bits of Williams banana (from Uncle Mikey's Hawaiian Foods).
Nothing like chocolate and great scenery. Given that I was in the Sierra mountains (that straddle California and Nevada) today, this Trek Mix was a great choice for a hike. Filled with generously sized toasted almonds and cashews, as well as milk chocolate stars, peanut butter chips and dried cherries, this "Hit the Trail" mix from Raley's hit the spot. I also shared a few nuts with a small group of blue jays who dropped by.
An elegantly designed bar and restaurant, The Chocolate Bar we visited on this warm August afternoon was located at Northstar (near Truckee, CA), in the village area with several shops. The Bar was next to a ski area gondola lift and is likely bustling with activity and skiers during the winter ski season. (There was also a Chocolate Bar in Reno, NV, not far away from this location.)
The Chocolate Bar seemed more geared to adults, serving chocolate drinks, including a chocolate martini. Desserts included chocolate fondue and house-made chocolate truffles. After a lunch entree that also contained a hint of chocolate in a sauce, we finished up our meal with 8 truffles, on a white plate that had been drizzled with white chocolate and raspberry sauces. Nice presentation.
I'm planning to return later this year to include at least one of these chocolate items as my Chocolate of the Day.
