Since I've moved, I cannot find my notes on chocolate in Paris, but anyone who is looking for good stuff there only need turn a corner to find it! If memory serves, one place in particular I would recommend for hand-made chocolates, great pastry, and drinking chocolate (called "the absinthe of chocolate" by the NY Times) is down towards the East end of the Ile St. Louis on the left hand side of the main street. I think it's called "Charlotte de l'Isle" but don't quote me on that.
Instead, here's some good places for chocolate in New York City, based on several trips over several years:
1) Payard is a very upscale patisserie and bistro. I don't know anything about the food, but their truffles and confectionary is beautifully made. The staff is very professional (they only handle your chocolate with plastic gloves). The cakes, pastry, etc. is reputed to be excellent, though I have never had any. If anyone remembers the Sex and the City Episode where Miranda declines to buy the $75 chocolate cake, that was Payard.
2) Chocolate Bar is just that, a chocolate bar. Good, high quality and dependable.
3) Vosges chocolate and Yoga. I'm still trying to figure out the connection, but this boutique makes excellent chocolate truffles, experimenting with all sorts of bizarre flavors (e.g. cayenne pepper, etc.). They also make chocolate bars, but those are not as good.
And there will be more...
Instead, here's some good places for chocolate in New York City, based on several trips over several years:
1) Payard is a very upscale patisserie and bistro. I don't know anything about the food, but their truffles and confectionary is beautifully made. The staff is very professional (they only handle your chocolate with plastic gloves). The cakes, pastry, etc. is reputed to be excellent, though I have never had any. If anyone remembers the Sex and the City Episode where Miranda declines to buy the $75 chocolate cake, that was Payard.
2) Chocolate Bar is just that, a chocolate bar. Good, high quality and dependable.
3) Vosges chocolate and Yoga. I'm still trying to figure out the connection, but this boutique makes excellent chocolate truffles, experimenting with all sorts of bizarre flavors (e.g. cayenne pepper, etc.). They also make chocolate bars, but those are not as good.
And there will be more...
As for the death penalty, yes. It's brought me back to the not-new realization that people seem to have the strongest opinions on topics that don't really touch their lives. A lot of the absolutists on either end of the board discussions, I'd be willing to wager, have never dealt with anyone involved in a death penalty case before, just as many of the most adamant people in the abortion debate have never had to confront the prospect of getting one themselves.
Absolutism is easiest in ignorance, evidently.