354502 Tue Dec 26 20:56:23 -0800 2006 26 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 2129699 As a small (but expensive) gift to myself, I've been considering buying a 16 piece box of Vosges truffles. The price, yes - it's daunting, but I'm willing to fork out the cash if they're worth it. Unfortunately, I don't believe they are sold anywhere close to me (in the D/FW area of Texas), so I'll have to have them shipped. I'm not interested in the chocolate bars or any of their other products at this time, strictly truffles. My first question is - are they really worth the price? I'm very interested in sampling the more exotically-flavored truffles. Secondly, what flavors do you think are exceptional? I'm also willing to look at other brands of exotic truffles, so any suggestions? TIA! Tue Dec 26 20:56:23 -0800 2006 17481 QueenB 1 2129790 QueenB, Though the selection may be slim after the Christmas rush, Neiman Marcus carries Vosges. I'd call the Northpark store and see what they have in stock. You'd be stuck with whatever pre-boxed assortments they have, since they don't sell them loose. But it would give you an idea of what to expect from the brand. Lots of stores around Dallas carry the Vosges bars, including Central Market, Sur la Table, and some World Market locations. Both Sur la Table locations have also had some of the Vosges caramels near the registers recently--e.g., gray sea salt, smoked salt, etc. The bars, particularly, would give you an idea of the types of flavors you can expect from the truffles. Good luck. Scott Tue Dec 26 21:38:26 -0800 2006 2129699 11486 Scott 1 2129885 I was at the new Whole Foods at Preston Forest recently looking for the Vosges bars (which they currently do not carry) but the manager suggested I go to the candy department as they did carry Vosges truffles and I might find something I liked. Well I did check out that portion of the store just for grins although I was not interested in the truffles at that time and they did have a selection. You can buy them by the piece or by weight and they may have had some small prepackaged boxes as well. Tue Dec 26 22:15:09 -0800 2006 2129699 10222 queenie 2 2129913 I wandered into a fancy department store in Tulsa in early March and they had one box of Vosges Valentine' Day truffles at 75% off. Yeah, it was worth it! Neiman Marcus might do the same if they have any left after Christmas or Valentine's Day. Tue Dec 26 22:27:19 -0800 2006 2129885 11362 Brian S 3 2129943 You can order boxes from the website, I think vosgeschocolatesdotcom. I am a fan of the bars, but having had a few of the truffles, I don't really think they are worth the price. I was excited to try the "Rooster" truffle with taleggio cheese, but it didn't have as much cheese flavor as I expected. I'd say don't bother unless you are terribly interested in specific flavors you can't find in another company's truffle. Tue Dec 26 22:38:52 -0800 2006 2129913 11250 bibi rose 2 2130062 Scott or queenie, Do either of you know any places closer to where I'm at (near the DFW airport)? If not, I'll make the trek over. I'm still a little lost when I drive around here. Thank goodness I have a map. Tue Dec 26 23:37:24 -0800 2006 2129885 17481 QueenB 3 2130844 I'm sorry but I don't know anyplace around the airport - I meant to ask where you were. If you trek over to WF - bring an ice chest and do some grocery shopping. The Preston Forest store is their new concept store - the 2nd floor is a complete spa so you can treat yourself to a massage while you are there....It is a pretty straight shot if you take 635 east to the Preston exit and just go south on Preston till you get to Forest. It is on the southeast quadrant. Wed Dec 27 12:15:51 -0800 2006 2130062 10222 queenie 1 2129977 I LOVE Vosges truffles and always buy them when I'm at Neiman Marcus, or - better yet - at the Vosges store in Caesar's Palace, LV. The exotic, dark chocolate and caramel collections are my favorite, although all the chocolates (bars included) are divine. The outside shells have just the right delicate dimension, and a bite reveals smooth, smart combinations of unique flavors. The spicy ones, topped with green tea or chili powder, for example, meld tastes that bring memories of my vacations back east! Tue Dec 26 22:53:27 -0800 2006 2129699 11006 chica 1 2130029 Whenever I am in SoHo, I go to the Vosges store. I especially love the Red Fire Bar Chocolate Bar with Mexican ancho and chipotle chillies and cinnamon! Yum! I have loved everything that I have tried. Tue Dec 26 23:23:22 -0800 2006 2129699 52588 pacz 1 2130036 Forgot to mention the d'Olivia bar - dried kalamata olives with white chocolate - just had a piece. Tue Dec 26 23:25:40 -0800 2006 2129699 52588 pacz 2 2130884 I really like that one, and I didn't expect to. It's great, it doesn't taste like white chocolate or olives at all, just deliciousness. Wed Dec 27 13:22:01 -0800 2006 2130036 49957 annimal 3 2135312 This sounds so interesting...and good. Thu Dec 28 23:26:07 -0800 2006 2130884 17481 QueenB 4 2920797 It is! I like it so much that I have ordered it from the website 3 times in the past few months. If you like a sweet/salty combo, you should try it. I also like the Naga bar with curry in it. Sooo good. I have had a few of their truffles, and found them good but not great. I prefer the bars, actually. Fri Sep 07 14:23:13 -0700 2007 2135312 114264 jaime79 2 2137271 I had one in my Christmas stocking! I didn't expect to like it, as white chocolate is usually WAY too sweet for me. Though there were moments the sweetness was strong, this bar really does white chocolate well. The salty, dry olives are a perfect counterpoint, and it's a winner. I'm going to look for them, as I was told Santa found it at Whole Foods. Fri Dec 29 18:14:55 -0800 2006 2130036 24126 amyzan 1 2130119 There was a really great post earlier this year about Vosages truffles which described them and even has pictures of each. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/301628 Might give posting on the Texas board to see if there are any local truffle makers or stores closer to you that sel Vosges. You never know ... can't hurt. Wed Dec 27 00:03:49 -0800 2006 2129699 10264 rworange 2 2135314 Thanks rworange. I'm going to try over at the Texas board. Thu Dec 28 23:26:28 -0800 2006 2130119 17481 QueenB 1 2130194 When we're in Las Vegas we always stop at the Vosges store. We love the Aztec collection and the spicy bars. we've tried the caramels but didn't care for them. I bought my mom some smoked and grey salt caramels from Fran's for Christmas...they were much better than the caramels from Vosges. Wed Dec 27 00:44:07 -0800 2006 2129699 16406 ziggylu 1 2130861 My Vosges favorite of late are the chips. A few in hot cocoa or coffee the chips add a nice depth of flavor. We've attended a few in-store tastings at the NYC/Village location. The hot cocoa tasting was my fav....with the homemade marshmellows.. Wed Dec 27 12:38:07 -0800 2006 2129699 36312 HillJ 1 2134310 I bought several boxes last year as a gift to myself and others. I was not overwhelmed and won't buy them again. It's not that they weren't quite good, but to me they were not worth the price I paid. I think half the cost just goes to pay for the pretty packaging. Thu Dec 28 18:17:08 -0800 2006 2129699 13599 Ellen 1 2134584 I like the red fire and the barcelona bars. I don't think the truffles are that great. I had the gatsby (valentine) and the honey truffle, as well as naga, and they are good but not memorable (especially for the price). If you want to spurge and willing to mail order, I would suggest trying Leonidas, La Dolce V or Rescuitti. There's a thread on the board on godiva chocolates and there're lots of recommendation on alternative chocolate vendors. Maybe if you can describe what your favorite favors are or what you are looking for that may make it easier for others to comment? For instance, do you like vanilla, caramel, pralines, coffee, citrus, tea, floral, or just something exotic? Thu Dec 28 19:43:32 -0800 2006 2129699 46671 notmartha 2 2135318 I'm willing to try anything in the exotically flavored department. I've had plenty of truffles flavored with raspberry, orange, espresso and chocolate. I'm up for something new and adventurous. I'll check out those other suggestions as well. Thanks! Thu Dec 28 23:28:12 -0800 2006 2134584 17481 QueenB 3 2136808 Another thought is that I just remembered the latest issue of Bon Appetite featured 3 recipes of exotic flavors of truffles by the maker of Vosages. One is balsmaic vinegar. I was thinking of making them, but I think you do need good ingredients (chocolate, vinegar, etc.) to get a recent end result. I've made truffles before and they are pretty easy as long as you just dust them with cocoa powder instead of the chocolate coating. Fri Dec 29 16:07:06 -0800 2006 2135318 46671 notmartha 1 2134625 On the west coast, we seem to have "better" alternative to the Vosges truffles. My dad bought a box for my mom and I to share and we weren't impressed. The flavors are different and they look nice, but I thought the chocolate shell was too hard and I didn't like that the flavors in the 16-truffle assortment repeated. Some of the ones we liked the best only had one, while the ones we weren't fond of had 2 in the box. Since you're looking at shipping them anyway, Chuao is San Diego based and has interesting flavors and is much less expensive that Vosges (they're even cheaper than the Target Choxie truffle boxes!). http://www.chuaochocolatier.com/ I just popped onto their website to check the address and a 10% coupon is available. My favorites are the Modena, Cambur, and Parchita. Sometimes, I do splurge on the Vosges bars, mainly because it's easier to carry a bar in my purse than truffles. But I think, as a whole, Vosges is a little overrated. I think you can do a search on the site for "mail order chocolates" to find some other recommendations and Chow thoughts. Thu Dec 28 19:52:35 -0800 2006 2129699 42944 leanneabe 2 2135323 Thanks leanneabe. I'll check that link. Thu Dec 28 23:28:57 -0800 2006 2134625 17481 QueenB 1 2134713 If you like caramel and praline, the "Wine of the Rabbit" truffle is the way to go. It is smooth, sweet without being overly so, just generally perfect. Thu Dec 28 20:14:38 -0800 2006 2129699 28380 Marci97 1 2920430 I tried the Naga bar with curry, and I loved it! Fri Sep 07 12:45:22 -0700 2007 2129699 122137 avena 1 2922300 Tried the champagne truffle when last in New York, (Oprah had made a big deal about them on her show)...Not impressed.... Sat Sep 08 08:20:04 -0700 2007 2129699 71851 jinet12