The Virginian-Pilot
©
Not long after moving to Ghent in 2008, I was strolling down Colley Avenue when a faded sign in the window of Le Marche, the French antiques and specialty furnishings store, caught my eye.
I leaned close and saw on the poster several pieces of chocolate carrying the characteristic “N” for Neuhaus, a well-known Belgian chocolatier whose products are hard to find in this country.
Near the back of the store, I found a respectable collection of the chocolate – some dark and filled with creamy hazelnut-flavored ganache, almond truffles and also, in my opinion, one of the most flavorful white chocolate pieces you can get your hands on.
My introduction to the fancy confection occurred during my first journalism internship in Brussels, Belgium. Neuhaus, which is based near the city, maintained a small store along my quarter-mile route to the office, so I regularly stopped in for chocolate on my lunch break.
Founded in 1857, Neuhaus credits itself with inventing the chocolate praline (PRAH-leen), which is essentially just hard chocolate filled with flavored ganache or cream. It’s more commonly referred to as a bonbon in the United States.
Among my favorites is a piece called the Manon Choco-Vanille – a white chocolate praline filled with vanilla-flavored butter cream and a pecan. Fortunately, it’s one of the more than a dozen varieties carried by Le Marche. The local store is one of only two retailers of the Belgian chocolate in Hampton Roads, and one of just a few in Virginia.
Neuhaus ships the chocolate by one- or two-day delivery to ensure that it’s fresh, said Nabil Abdalla, who co-owns the local store with a partner.
“This is for anybody who is a chocolate lover,” he said. “It’s really a step above. These are fresh cream, fresh cocoa. There are no paraffins or preservatives.”
Oftentimes, customers stop by for just a piece or two before heading to see a movie at the Naro, he said. Others pick up a box to serve at dinner.
“It is a rich chocolate and very satiating so you don’t need a lot of it,” he said.
That’s a good thing since the chocolate sold at his store is $54 per pound. Admittedly, it costs a fraction of that in Belgium.
For me, however, the ability to get such a delightful treat so close to home is worth the price.
Josh Brown, (757) 446-2318, josh.brown@pilotonline.com
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$54.00 a pound
That's a lot of Thanksgiving meals down at the Mission.
Odd.............
But from MY experiences in Belgium, Milk Chocolate is NOT considered 'chocolate'. The Belgians favorite chocolate bar is 70% cocao which, to us Americans, taste's like 'cooking' chocolate.
The Belgians have had 400 YEARS to develope THEIR taste's.
Ask a Belgian what THEY eat................. it wont be milk chocolate.
As a matter of fact, I have 4 varieties of Belgian Chocolate at this time. None of it is Milk Chocolate..............and its made by Kraft.(Cote d'Or Noir de Noir, Storck Merci & Napa )
You would never think 'Beer & Chocolate' could go together....but take a belgian Kasteel beer (11.9% alc) and a dark cote d'or? Yum !
Worth the price
I remember this place when I still live in the Norfolk area and it is worth the trip to go and have some, it is also a beautiful and tasty gift to someone who loves chocolates.
Neuhaus is the best
Neuhaus is the best chocolate to be found in my opinion. I grew up on it in Houston as a child. However, $54 a pound is quite high, even for Neuhaus. I have enjoyed it in Belgium and a few other places. Let me inform you, that in D.C. at Union Station there is a Neuhaus store and they will gladly ship from there to you, for much less than $54 a pound. While I salute this store in Ghent carrying my beloved chocolate and was quite excited to know they were there, once I read the cost, I decided to cancel this morning's trip.
Well, I must say, I have
Well, I must say, I have been thinking about this chocolate all afternoon, and I have come to the conclusion that while Le Marche may charge a little more than Union Station, I will admit, after dwelling on pralines, it may be very well worth the trip and to not have to wait on the tasty morsels to arrive in the mail. So, tomorrow morning, we shall venture to Ghent and partake in the lovely goodies. Le Marche, I must commend your store on providing such a fine delicacy to the finer tastes of Hampton Roads and you may charge what you please as when a craving for Neuhaus arises no one wants to wait...especially me.
Try Galer
Ever had Galler chocolate? Galler is the Belgian Royal Warrent holder, which means that they supply the chocolate to the Belgian Royal Court. It is pretty tough to find in the USA, but it is regarded as better than Neuhaus or Guylian.
Really? No, I have not. But
Really? No, I have not. But I am now on a quest to delight my taste buds! Thanks!