355152 Thu Dec 28 23:30:44 -0800 2006 18 5 Texas 0 2135328 I'm looking for Vosges truffles in my area (near the DFW airport). I know I can find them in Dallas (Northpark, etc.), but was hoping for something closer to home. Anyone know if I can find these in my area? Thu Dec 28 23:30:44 -0800 2006 17481 QueenB 1 2140135 QueenB, Just FYI I was over at the Whole Foods at Preston/Forest today and I stopped to look at the Vosges truffles. They are not sold by the piece as I had thought but in boxes of 4. I think they had 4 or maybe 5 different box "collections" and a box of 4 is $9.99. In case you can't find them anywhere closer to you at least you don't have to purchase a lot in order to try them. Sat Dec 30 21:59:09 -0800 2006 2135328 10222 queenie 1 2220126 QueenB...I live by DFW and have had no luck finding a good selection anywhere...except on my local internet. Let me know if you find something! Tue Jan 23 20:18:45 -0800 2007 2135328 68715 piggygirl 1 2291370 I "instant" chatted with Voges Chocolate, and she said the closest place to me (Southlake) was Northpark. :o( I just got a box yesterday (I love V-day) in the mail... http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/ Mmmmm... the exotic truffles collection... I am dying, already ate three... Wed Feb 14 06:31:03 -0800 2007 2135328 41461 soapgirl 2 2291620 Ok, I am very jealous... :-) I found a few of their chocolate bars at the Central Market up there by you. I bought one (wasabi/sesame/ginger) and was a bit underwhelmed. I still have this incredible need to have those truffles though. Seems I'll be ordering them online. Wed Feb 14 07:56:05 -0800 2007 2291370 17481 QueenB 3 2292495 I didn't have any preconceptions about them, so I guess I have been pretty open minded while tasting so far. Since I got the box, I thought I would look around at what others said about them... Maybe because they are labeled "exotic", it seems that some think that they will be really potent and powerful tasting. So far, I have found that the flavors (ie chili, curry, wasabi) are not overwhelming the chocolate, they just add a kiss of their flavor to the truffle. I really am enjoying them and am glad that when I bite into a truffle that I am not tasting wasabi - rather I am just getting a hint of it. Now, I have a very strong sniffer, which usually makes it easy for me to pick up the slightest hint of something, so I may be a little more susceptible to soft suggestions of flavors. Maybe the flavors are a little stronger in the ganache than bar chocolate? Wed Feb 14 11:26:44 -0800 2007 2291620 41461 soapgirl 4 2293181 I think I have heard that the truffles are a bit stronger than the bar. Honestly, I get no wasabi or ginger flavor out of the bar...just a very, very slight burn as a finish. As for sesame, it's in the bar just as crunch, I think. I'm ordering the truffles today, I can't stand it anymore. Which ones have you found to be your favorite, soapgirl? Wed Feb 14 13:53:09 -0800 2007 2292495 17481 QueenB 5 2293492 Well, since last time I wrote, I have tried a bunch more (oooo... they are all yummy to me). Hmmm... so far I liked naga (curry, coconut & (gasp...) milk choc), chef pascal (kirch, dark choc & dried cherry) and black pearl. But, the ones that stayed with me longest - lingering flavor and most interesting were budapest (paprika & dark choc) and absinthe (anise, fennel, pastis, dk choc & cocoa powder). The gianduia and woolloomooloo were nice, but I kinda feel I can get that at most choc shops. I usually abhor white chocolate, but the salty macadamia nuts mixed with the Cointreau made for a lovely combo... Have yet to try viola and wink of the rabbit... It really does make a difference to have them at room temp. - tons more aroma and taste. Pain in the a%$, because I want to eat them right now!!, but completely worth waiting. I received the 16 peice heart box and there are two of quite a few, so I taste tested one cold, one room temp. That was the last time I ate a cold one. Hope that helps!! Have fun, and let me know what you think... Wed Feb 14 15:08:55 -0800 2007 2293181 41461 soapgirl 6 2293881 Ordered them when I got home from work. I'll let you know what I think. Wed Feb 14 17:14:40 -0800 2007 2293492 17481 QueenB 7 2295566 :o)~ Thu Feb 15 09:43:02 -0800 2007 2293881 41461 soapgirl 8 2323744 OK, so I scouted the chocolate isle (as I always do..hhehehe) at Central Market tonight and found Voges bars, so I bought two. I managed to get the milk and cheese put away before I ripped them open!! I was secretly hoping that you were wrong about the black pearl bar, because I really did like the truffle so much, but... alas, you were right. I don't get any wasabi and only a tinie, weenie bit of ginger at the end after you have swallowed and sit there for a bit. Bummer. The good news is, the other one I tried, the Naga Bar (curry and coconut) was a better representation of the truffle. Not exactly the same intensity and preportions, but close enough and flavorfull enough. I could only eat one square because was very rich. There was one more, Red Fire, that I wanted, but it was hard for me to justify THREE chocolate bars all at once... so next shopping trip. Hope you're enjoying your goodies!!! Fri Feb 23 15:15:15 -0800 2007 2295566 41461 soapgirl 9 2323984 I am enjoying them, and I have to say the Naga truffle is unbelievable. Definitely my favorite of the bunch. I still have to work my way through quite a few more... Fri Feb 23 16:32:46 -0800 2007 2323744 17481 QueenB 10 2324221 have either of you tried the Vosges ice creams? They have them at Central Market (on Lover's) and they sound pretty good. The exotic truffles look amazing... but last time I checked, they didn't have them at Northpark either - just some other Vosges candies (like toffee, etc). Of course, I went on Feb 14... they may have sold out. Have either of you seen the truffles there? Fri Feb 23 18:06:30 -0800 2007 2323984 57051 gavlist 11 2325219 Not had opportunity to try the ice creams, but they sound interesting... Have not physically looked at Northpark... but the Vosges rep said we should be able to find truffles there. Geesh, you guys, I am going to have to go to the gym every day of the week if I keep this up!!! :o) Sat Feb 24 08:39:10 -0800 2007 2324221 41461 soapgirl 11 2325315 I haven't tried the ice creams. I'll have to see if the CM in Southlake carries them. They do sound interesting...especially the Naga (Ok, I'm addicted to Naga). I've only been over to Northpark once. It's probably better that way. As soapgirl said, I'd have to go to the gym every day if I had truffles that close! Sat Feb 24 09:16:43 -0800 2007 2324221 17481 QueenB 1 2293593 I am a huge fan of the Oaxaca Bar. It's 75% cacao and has spicy pasilla chillies. It has an amazing sneak attack of heat. Not too hot though. Wed Feb 14 15:39:06 -0800 2007 2135328 11862 Jambon_It 2 2295562 My "sampler" had an oaxaca truffle (yes... HAD) and I really enjoyed it. I have seen that variety offered by Dagoba in bar form (74% Xocolatl) @ Central Market, but was afraid... Chilis and Chocolate? Shows what I know! It was very nice - again, the chili seemed to just rub up against the chocolate and lend it just a little of it's pizzaz. Recently I have been experiementing with how dark I like my chocolate, but it seems like the percentage of cocao is not the only determining factor. It seems l like it right around 60%, but Dagoba 59% is better than Ghirardelli 60% which I find a little sweet. I tried 72% pastilles by Droste and they were just too bitter. Now, when there are other things in the mix (berries, spices etc.), it seems like a little darker contrasts better with the additional ingredients. I guess you just gotta religate yourself (sigh...)to trying a bunch before you find your favorite! I guess after my box of truffles is gone (and the bar of guittard, dagoba, ghiardelli, droste), I'll have to pick up that Xocolatl!! Thu Feb 15 09:41:58 -0800 2007 2293593 41461 soapgirl 1 2296879 I too have had the Droste pastilles from Central Market and like them. A couple of books I've read said it's okay to get your dark chocolate snack on when it's over 70%...so that's the percentage I aim for. Green & Black is another good brand. I buy Dagoba quite a bit too. Thu Feb 15 14:21:43 -0800 2007 2135328 11862 Jambon_It 2 2297105 The Dagoba single origin bars are very good. I've got three out of the four and have been amazed at the subtle differences of each. Thu Feb 15 15:17:45 -0800 2007 2296879 17481 QueenB