Marich Coconut Curry Cashews are wonderfully addictive! These bright yellow confections were begging to be unwrapped and devoured, so that is precisely what we did.  What we experienced had to be documented; dry roasted cashews  drenched in premium white chocolate blended with curry and coconut.  These flavor-packed nuts were an unexpected treat!

You can also find Marich’s Mint Chip Maltballs, Chocolate Blueberries, Chocolate Sea Salt Cashews & Double Chocolate Praline Almonds on our shelves.  You may also purchase any of these online here.

This week Ma Petite Shoe conducted it’s very first VIP Chocolate Tasting!  We were very excited to welcome ten chocolate aficionados to sample new chocolates featured in our chocolate room and some that soon will be!

We opened up the tasting with Rausch’s 35% German Milk Chocolate.  This bar is serious milk chocolate; made from higher cacao and cocoa butter content than its predecessors.  Caroline M. says this bar has “much more character than your average milk chocolate.”

We had to try our new line of Eclipse bars! It was definitely one of the crowd favorites. Kara M. thinks the Walnut Espresso bar is “better than a cup of espresso”.  Taj was reminded of an Italian pastry when eating the Cinnamon Sugar Bar.

Poco Dolce’s Olive Oil and Sea Salt Bar might have stolen the show.  I believe this quote from Stacy A. wraps up our thoughts quite nicely, “olive oil and chocolate are meant for each other.”  Stacy also enjoyed Poco Dolce’s Burnt Caramel Toffee.  ”I liked the finish on the toffee- I taste the ‘burn’.”

Coming soon to our store is Dufflet’s NUTT-e.  This toasted almond brittle is thought to have great texture and fun crunch.  Elsa said “I would love to nibble on this with hot tea or on top of ice cream.”

The panelists tried a total of seven chocolates and confections. Below are the panelists with their favorite confections and other pictures from the tasting!

“Italian for ‘little sweet,’ Poco Dolce’s mission is to elevate the art of sweet and savory…”

From Poco Dolce:

“Poco Dolce Confections was started by Kathy Wiley in 2003 as a small San Francisco baking company specializing in regional Italian pastries. Within a year, she discovered a passion for creating hand-made chocolates with unique and exciting flavors. Having a predilection for more savory foods, Kathy decided to finish a piece of bittersweet chocolate with a sprinkling of Grey Sea Salt (also known as Sel Gris.) Poco Dolce’s bittersweet chocolate ‘Tiles’ were born.

The name – Poco Dolce – literally translates from Italian as ‘not too sweet’ or “just a little sweet.” Applying this idea to their products, Poco Dolce’s ongoing mission is to stay on the ‘savory side of sweet.’ “

Ma Petite Shoe now carries a number of Poco Dolce products! Shop in-store or get it online!

In order of appearance:

Seattle Chocolates Assorted Chocolate Truffles Heart Box

New Tree Love Pack 12 Piece Assortment

Butlers Irish Whiskey Truffles

Prestat Jewel Box

Poco Dolce Mayan Chile Bar

Lille Belle Smokey Blue Truffles

Tcho “Hard to Find” Sampler

Lillie Belle Bing Cherry Hearts

Feeling a little lost with what to buy for your sweetie this Valentine’s? Here’s a short guide to everything from earrings to socks that are sure to please!   Below are Ma Petite Shoe staff members’ personal favorites.

The hammered texture on this Ollipop cuff lends a unique look punctuated with the bright-colored stones.  The flower motif really make the two toned metals pop.  This piece has caught the eye of our staff member, Eliza!

Will Gustwiller, owner of Eclipse Chocolat

We also knew Baltimore and beyond had to hear about their culinary combinations — Macadamia Ginger,  Sweet Basil Mint, Blackberry Sage and the newest favorite at Eclipse and our in-house favorite: Cinnamon Brown Sugar.The Exotic Salted Caramel Collection 

The Eclipse Chocolate Exotic Caramel Collection, pictured above, is a combination pack of nearly a half pound of handmade “salty-sweet deliciousness” containing a giant Sea Salt Nib Bar, 55% cacao flecked with bits of lavender grey sea-salt and candied cocoa nibs, 9 individual exotic sea-salt caramels, and three smaller bars including Salty Dulce de Leche, Peanut Butter Toffee, and Sea-Salt Nib.

Eclipse’s other individual bars all include illustrative flavors such as Espresso Walnut, Orange Peel Anise, and the incredible Spiced Pumpkinseed, a bar that contains both candied pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

Eclipse prides itself on high cocoa butter content which delivers the creamiest mouth feel without adding actual milk or cream, per se. This means that 9 out of the 11 bar flavors are vegan. This makes us and our vegan friends VERY HAPPY!

Interested in trying out their delicious chocolate? Come in-store or get it online here!

]]> http://mapetiteshoeandchocolate.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/eclipse-chocolat-now-available-at-ma-petite-shoe/feed/ 0 mapetiteshoeandchocolate WillSmile-1 6606761 http://mapetiteshoeandchocolate.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/listen-february-4th-to-susannahs-sipping-point-conversation-on-wbal/ http://mapetiteshoeandchocolate.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/listen-february-4th-to-susannahs-sipping-point-conversation-on-wbal/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:07:56 +0000 shoes and chocolate http://mapetiteshoeandchocolate.wordpress.com/?p=639 Continue reading →]]>

UPDATE:

Listen to the interview here: Susannah on the Sipping Point! Or you can download the podcast on The Wine Coach website!

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Susannah’s chat with Laurie on the “Sipping Point” will air on WBAL Radio 1090 AM on Saturday, Feb. 4th,  12:30 p.m. EST. Listen to it the old-fashioned way if you are a Baltimore-area resident or have it live-stream from the WBAL site.

Though traditionally a show on wine and wine culture, Susannah and Laurie will be discussing some of our newest chocolates from Poco Dolce, TCHO and Original Hawaiian Chocolate Co.

Our Spring I Lookbook featuring Jeffrey Campbell Shoes! Shot in the Bromo Seltzer Clock Tower featuring Regina A. as our model. Get the shoes here !

Up until Valentine’s day, we will be narrowing down some of our favorite shoes, accessories and confections that will suit your needs–be it for you or your honey.  Whether you are looking for the perfect pair of heels for a special date, or a box of chocolates for your sweetheart, we’ll let you in on our hearts’ desires.  Below we have shared some shoes that make our hearts skip a beat.

What could suit Jeffrey Campbell’s Bowtique better than lace and frills?  This ultra-feminine shoe pairs nicely with lace, as depicted above.

Madeline’s Purr is certainly the cat’s meow.  This ultrasuede heel will give your valentine a toothache.  Pair with your favorite black dress and you’re in business!

Irregular Choice’s Serpintime comes in both black and red.  The beading and feathers really make this t-strap especially festive.  This saucy number can take you from the office to a night out.   Pair Serpintime with some silk or flapper fringe for a flirty look.

Jeffrey Campbell’s Dressen is just the 60′s throwback you need!  These vibrant suede beauties would have Brigitte Bardot jealous.  A cute shift dress to go with these heels would be the essence of mod.

This fiery t-strap will have his heart pumping.  The romantic cut of Gee’Wawa’s Clarissa peep toe makes this chic mary-jane a perfect candidate for Valentines Day.  Black tights are sure to show off those pretty cutouts. Or go with red if you’re feeling extra feisty.