What's the BEST dark chocolate bar you've had in your life?

[Ben7643]

This is for pure dark chocolate bars only 60 percent or higher, no bars with milk added, no bars with ginger, or bacon bits, or orange, no truffles. But plain old dark chocolate bars. And where did you get them so those who are chocoholics can find them I live in LA but anywhere in the US is fine

My 3 favorites in order.

Amedei Chuao "wally's wines or caffe luxxe" los angeles
Amedei Porcelana "wally's wines" los angeles
Michael Cluizel 1er Cru de Plantation Vila Gracinda "wine exchange in orange, silver lake cheese store "sometimes," or wally's wines" los angeles

[buttertart]

Bernachon (Lyon, France) "store brand" packaged in clear cellophane, 100 gm bar (as I recall). Amazing complexity. It's worth going to Lyon - which is a fantastic city for eating in any case - just to go to Bernachon.

[bulavinaka]

Just tried a piece of Sambirano 75% from Madagascar. "The world's first Equitrade fine chocolate" is on the back label, "Deeply intense and smooth," on the front label. This is probably the most deeply intense yet smooth chocolate I've ever had. I'm definitely keeping this bar away from the kids.

[Val]

Bulavinaka, may I ask, where did you buy it? I see that you are in the L.A. area...I'm in SWFL, vastly and sadly different from Cali in available foods and cuisines...it may not be available here but just thought I'd try...LOL.

[bulavinaka]

Hi Val, I happened upon this particular chocolate at a local eatery/deli called, The Curious Palate in Los Angeles. Small, unassuming place with a strong focus on what the owner feels is really good stuff that he's come across. To be honest, I haven't been in a couple of months now, so I'm not sure if they still carry this particular chocolate.

This is a short review and an image of the bar that I mentioned. Unfortunately, it mentions availability in England but no mention about it in the US:

http://www.chocablog.com/reviews/sambirano-madagascar-dark-chocolate/

This is the eatery's website:

http://thecuriouspalate.com/

[sku]

Definitely Amedei Porcelana, though the others you mentioned are all good. I also love DeVries Dominican chocolate bar.

All those you mention are also available at chocosphere.com.

[Ben7643]

Where can you get DeVries Dominican i've never had that bar?

Check out this database :) http://www.ceder.net/chocolate/comple...

Almost forgot Domori Rio Caribe Superior might be better then the Cluizel bar.......... I first got it about a week ago at CUBE in LA

[sku]

www.devrieschocolate.com

From Cluizel, the Los Ancones, another Dominican, is my favorite. I also really enjoyed the Domori Rio Caribe.

http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2007/1...

[Leonardo]

I also like DeVries Costa Rican.

[Ben7643]

I tried the Los Ancones bar today it was excellent right up there with Chuao IMO :) thanks for the rec.

[wew]

My New York supplier of Amedei Porcelana told me their was no more to be had. Is this the case else where?

[limster]

Just saw it today at a store (I'm in London).

[wew]

I wasn't thinking of any further east than Dublin, but gee what is one or two more subway stops?

[wew]

My brother will be in London soon. Could you give me the name of your store? Thank you

[limster]

Came across it at Selfridges on Oxford street. But have also seen it in the past at Paul A Young and other chocolate shops.