Steven L.
Yelp
Unlike several of my reviews where I just give my personal perception, this one is filled with data and references. I bought three products and will review them in detail after a few paragraphs on initial impressions. The product reviews are a consensus between my adult son, my wife and I as we sampled the wares in a formal taste testing.
Acting in a venue across the street, I noticed the sign that this was actually a candy shop. From the title, I was not sure if maybe it was a Mediterranean place or an architectural firm.
I ventured in and short of cash at the time, I sampled some of the bits out for that purpose. Those tids and bits were great and I promised I would be back. In the interim, I told the rest of the cast and anyone who would listen that they needed to check the place out.
On my return, I had two minor disappointments. Family sent me in with a list and two of the varieties they requested were no longer available, even though they were on the website.
Now, on the products. First up is the 67% cacao. My adult son had the most input to this product but we all agreed. For reference, he rated this as a 5 on a 1-5 scale, 5 high. For reference, here are his ratings: Rausch Chocolate from Germany is a 5. Lindt is a 3 and Hershey dark is a 2. The reasons for this are many. All of us present rated this high percentage cacao as extremely smooth due to its processing. We all agreed it was not bitter, but had a pleasant bite to it, not overpowering. We detected notes of cherry and the aroma when we opened the wrapping wafted to our noses quickly. My son noted that they listed the country of origin for the cacao on this, and that was a big plus. While he nor the rest of us have tasted enough chocolates from various countries, we could not use this data effectively.
Next up was the Candied Lemon and it did not get as rave a review. The overall rating was "adequate". I was the dissenter. It had salt and lemon. I would have preferred on or the other but not both. We all agreed that with the 75% cacao it was good.
Lastly, the Duck Fat Caramels took the most courage to try. I sampled them on my first visit and because they did not have two of the chocolates on my list, I bought this box. It was expensive. My son passed strictly on the concept of duck fat being one of the prime ingredients. Yes, it is duck fat and not a moniker to rename another ingredient. The label states that this was literally born in duck blinds by hunters. Both my wife and I agreed that if you did not know it was duck fat, you could not identify it. I will try this as a blind taste test on a few friends. Other ingredients besides the sugar include cream (although the person selling it to me said it had a bit of butter), salt, black pepper, chilies and thyme (to enhance the duck fat).
They do have tours, but I did not have the time for one. Not a neighborhood I frequent as I live 35 miles away, if I find myself there, I will try to find some of the product I missed the first time. You can almost make this a destination confectionery.