Cuisine Scene: All Things Chocolate
A love of chocolate is a special sort of devotion, with some championing milk chocolate over dark, or chocolate bars and bonbons over cakes and pastries. In Long Beach, those who love chocolate can fulfill their chocolatey dreams with all sorts of treats, from decadent baked goods to artistic bonbons, even indulgent flapjacks.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE, FOODOLOGIE
Foodologie (195 Claremont Ave) specializes in small batch cookies and brownies, but there’s nothing small about the flavors they pack. This is especially true of their signature chocolate chip cookie. The Foodolgie rendition is thick and contains lots of gooey chocolate chips that permeate the entire creation. You can enjoy the cookie at their Belmont Shore space or take it to enjoy later. Word to the wise, re-heat the cookie in your oven or microwave; the taste effect is incredible!
PAIN AU CHOCOLAT, COLOSSUS
One of the city’s most celebrated bakeries, Colossus Bread (4716 Second St) is well-known for its kouign amann–a pastry made with French butter caramelized with sugar and vanilla bean–but they do an equally amazing pain au chocolat. A delicious crossing of a puff pastry and a croissant–reputed to have been introduced to France by Marie Antoinette–it’s airy and filled with rich chocolate that sits light on the palate as it explodes with flavor.
OREO PANCAKES, BREAKFAST REPUBLIC
Belmont Shore’s Breakfast Republic (5313 Second St) is an innovative breakfast destination–Shrimp and Ricotta Frittata, Crab and Crawfish Benedict–that is known to embrace its sweeter side. There’s its breakfast dessert tray, of course and the Oreo Pancakes that combine three chocolate flapjacks, separated by cream filling and topped with–what else?–Oreo cookie crumbles.
CHOCOLATE CAKE, BUONO’S PIZZERIA
Well known for serving some of the best pizza and pasta in the city, you might be surprised to find out that Buono’s Pizzeria (250 W Ocean Blvd/401 W Willow St) has an incredible chocolate cake that has long been a staple of its menu. Just one slice is a sort of revelation, alternating rich, dense chocolate cake with a moist chocolate filling that is decidedly airy, giving it a richness of flavor that is both intense and light.
SAMPLE BOX, ALBERT’S PETITE SWEETS
Albert’s Petite Sweets (456 Elm Ave, P5) makes hand crafted confections, specializing in chocolates and bonbons. Chef Albert Daniel–winner of the TV competition show, “Bakers Dozen”–believes in a hands-on, holistic approach from concept to completion. His chocolates are tastefully balanced and visually stunning and there’s no better way to introduce yourself to his art than with a sample box, ranging from 9 to 24 pieces.
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