Les Chocolats of Montreal
Gourmet Guide to Montreal, Quebec's Best Chocolates
When visiting Montreal, Gourmet Magazine's descriptions of melt-in-your mouth chocolate creations by women with names like Chloe and Edith made my husband and I decide that Montreal chocolates had to be on the hit-list! After having our way with Montreal's bakeries, we began to crave her chocolates. We tried to make Les Chocolats de Chloe our first stop, but alas, she was closed for the evening. Instead, so we wandered off and stumbled upon Suite 88 Chocolatier on 3957 Rue St. Denis. Jackpot!
Suite 88 Chocolatier -3957 Rue St. Denis, Montreal
Amidst fabulous-looking mini-towers called "Les Shooters" (you bite off the top, shoot the liqueur and then eat the chocolate- I recommend Lychee) and decadent chocolate gelatos, we found some fine dark chocolate bars infused with the tongue-tingling kick of chili and cayenne. Our eyes lit up and we thought- could this be? Spicy chocolate- it might be like having a cup of really good Mexican hot chocolate with just the right amount of heat? The server behind the counter warned us that it was very spicy- we replied, "good!" A few tasty chocolate covered real cherries later, we each popped a square of said chocolate and waited no more than three seconds before a mild smoulder turned into a pleasant roast. It was a delicious combination and the heat lasted about 15 minutes. (No, it's not like eating suicide wings and feeling literally taste bud fried for days- foolishly been there and done that). We offered some to my sister and family this past weekend- warning them that it packed a punch and much to my surprise, everyone loved it - even my mum who usually can't stand a pinch of black ground pepper on any of her food. Who knew!? And best of all- it was pretty close to my beloved Mexican chocolate caliente in portable, solid bar form.
Les Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois - 162 rue Saint-Viateur Ouest, Montreal
The next day, we found ourselves neighbourhood hopping from Laurent to the Mile End where we found Les Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois . It's a sleek, industrial looking little place with an open concept that allows you to peek at the masters dipping, dunking and dousing various ganaches and other delightful fillings into vats of satiny chocolate in the kitchen. We sampled the tastiest Fleur du Sel Caramel enrobed in chocolate. Talk about a flavour pairing- the French salt setting off the sweetness of the caramel. We loved it! I also enjoyed her Chai truffle- memories of Indian spiced tea.
Maison Cakao - 5090 Rue Fabre, Montreal (off Laurier)
We walked off our treats and finally came across Maison Cakao, where we were informed by our trusty magazine guide, we'd find "the best chocolate chip cookie money can buy." Intrigued and more than a little curious as to what makes these cookies so much better than the rest, we walked into a lovely little shop tucked away on 5090 Rue Fabre- right off of Laurier (Montreal's own gourmet eat street). We began talking to a pretty blonde who turned out to be the shop owner and the creator of the shop's glistening confections. Edith Gagnon has been helming the shop for six years now after graduating from Quebec's Hotel and Restaurant Institute- offering the most delectable chocolate dipped candied ginger slivers and a gorgeous apple butter truffle that was as fresh as a breath of orchard air. We chatted for a while and left with our cookies to sample with a cup of coffee. Our break was most rewarding- buttery, crisp on the outside, tender and perfectly chewy on the inside with huge chunks of quality, semi-sweet chocolate made these cookies a new favourite. Now if only I could get Edith's recipe... I can now taste why the Gourmet editors gave her cookies such rave reviews.
Les Chocolats de Chloe - 375 rue Roy East, Montreal
On the last day of our trip, we returned to where it all started, Les Chocolats de Chloe on 375 rue Roy East (or Est en Francais). We bought six truffles, a bar of her salted butter caramel squares (wow!) and for my nieces (one of whom is also named Chloe), chocolate covered marshmallows. The truffles were devoured this past weekend and I can vouch for the oohs and ahhs of all around the table. I'm a big fan of the passion fruit truffle- it's like a burst of tropical sunshine on a rainy day. Fresh and flavourful! My husband enjoyed the orange truffle and my sister raved about the quality of the Valrohna couverture and the texture of everything she sampled.
Sated and satisfied for now, I know we'll be back to sample more inspired flavour pairings of some of the most talented chocolate makers around. Now if only I could drop a hint or three to my husband to order us some for the holidays, my birthday, Valentine's Day...
