67565 Tue Mar 15 17:25:49 -0800 2005 18 2 Los Angeles Area 0 366544 I keep hearing that Teuscher chocolates are the ultimate chocolate experience. Are they really that phenomenal and are there others that are just as delicious and a lot cheaper? I need to get truffles for wedding favors and was just wondering where I can get some really good ones in bulk so that I can package them myself. Tue Mar 15 17:25:49 -0800 2005 0 Elle 1 366549 In my opinion, the truffles at K Chocolatier are better. They are, however, as pricey so I'm not sure it would be feasible to give them away as wedding favors. Tue Mar 15 17:33:50 -0800 2005 366544 0 Ingrid 2 366560 For champagne truffles, probably Teuscher. For CHOCOLATE truffles, which was the question, definitely K Chocolatier. Tue Mar 15 17:52:06 -0800 2005 366549 0 jcwla 1 366553 Teuschers champagne truffles makes my toes curl. I'm not up on the best of the best in the fine chocolates arena, but I know I've never had anything like their champagne truffle. I can't imagine anything better. Enjoy your search! Tue Mar 15 17:40:42 -0800 2005 366544 0 debra 1 366556 I am a fan of Neuhaus chocolates truffles. Pricey but worth it for a splurge. They may be too costly for your needs, but I think they are the best! They have a retail shop in SF but not one here although sometimes they are distributed in fancy department stores or boutiques. Link: http://www.neuhaus.be/doorway.asp?lang=en Tue Mar 15 17:49:08 -0800 2005 366544 0 Senor Popusa 2 366756 Actually, I've been to the big Neuhaus store at the Hollywood and Highland mall. It's been there for years. I like Neuhaus. Link: http://www.digitalcity.com/losangeles/shopping/main.adp?_diraction=detail&_dircid=114341588 Wed Mar 16 16:21:43 -0800 2005 366556 0 jschyun 3 366759 Interesting. Tried calling them just now and got no response. Maybe I imagined that they were there. Wed Mar 16 16:28:53 -0800 2005 366756 0 jschyun 4 366773 I think the Neuhaus in Hollywood & Highland has been closed for some time now. :( But I have found Neuhaus chocolates at Chocolat on Main St. in Santa Monica. Neuhaus is definitely my favorite!! For cheaper Belgian chocolates, you can try Leonidas in Santa Monica. Not the same class as Neuhaus, but still pretty good. Wed Mar 16 17:02:39 -0800 2005 366759 0 fangler 5 366777 I think they sell Neuhaus at Neiman Marcus. And with that, we have moved about as far away from the OP's request for "not as pricey" as one possibly could. Personally, for great truffles at a reasonable price point, I'd just go with See's. Wed Mar 16 17:09:35 -0800 2005 366773 0 PayOrPlay 1 366569 Teuscher is most famous for their champagne truffles which are truly wonderful and very expensive. There is no cheap alternative that even begins to match their flavor. All the high end chocolate makers are about the same price which puts them out of the wedding favor range for most people. I believe the quote from Teuscher was around $7-8 per person, for favors. If the chocolates are merely for favors, I would aim much, much lower and perhaps repackage chocolates from TJs. I think Sees also has small boxes for favors. Tue Mar 15 18:26:34 -0800 2005 366544 0 JudiAU 2 366584 I'm glad you mentioned TJ's because I didn't want to sound cheap, but I think their truffles are quite tasty. I don't know about your wedding guests, but the vast majority of people I know either wouldn't know the difference or would forget to take their favors with them. Tue Mar 15 19:04:29 -0800 2005 366569 0 Chowpatty 1 366582 If I'm at Teuscher, it's usually just the champagne truffles or the solid chocolate dark fish, say. I don't need to pay the price for fillings, although I like the pistachio marzipan a great deal. Do you want truffles or solid or filled chocolates? For solid or regular non-truffle chocolates, Edelweiss are a bit cheaper and quite good. If you don't mind a drive, and if you're buying for bulk which could bring down the price (you can always try and negotiate on a big order) try Trufflehound's 607 E. Main St. Ventura, CA 93001 Phone: 805-648-5870 Pretty good I think. Call and talk to the manager and discuss it with them. Or drive up and try their stuff, it's just an hour away. Nice for a morning getaway, esp. if you're in the Valley. Tue Mar 15 19:00:28 -0800 2005 366544 0 Jerome 1 366607 I have to admit that Picholine is the best I have tried. Better than Teuscher champagne truffles. Tue Mar 15 20:27:49 -0800 2005 366544 0 corydon 2 366640 Ditto! I make a special trip there every week. Their truffles are addictive! My bf loves their rocher lait and rocher noir. Their chocolate coated ginger is the best I've had. Wed Mar 16 01:11:18 -0800 2005 366607 0 oli 3 366673 I quite like Picholie chocolates but they are in the same price range as all of the expensive chocolate stores. Wed Mar 16 11:09:50 -0800 2005 366640 0 JudiAU 1 366662 The Teuscher champagne truffle is definitely exquisite. They quote there box of 2 truffles in a decorative box for party/wedding favors on their website, starting at $5.95 and up. I have never tried the chocolates at Picholine however and cannot compare. Link: http://www.teuscherbeverlyhills.com/partyfavors.html Wed Mar 16 03:49:57 -0800 2005 366544 0 BoogieDown 1 366669 This brings up a question that I have, which fits in this thread... Is there anyone who makes maybe not the best, but pretty good truffles? Possibly at a smaller candy shop, chocolates made on site, a nice variety of flavors including liqueors? I often appreciate the personal touch more than artistic perfection. These might be less expensive, too. Thanks! Wed Mar 16 10:37:59 -0800 2005 366544 0 coffeebeast 1 367950 Comparte's Chocolatier in Brentwood makes a bunch of different chocolate truffles, they are quite reasonable at 1.50 per each, my wedding favor ended up costing me about 3.25 for two truffles in a gift box. They also have liquor ones with raspberry wine, strawberry champagne and port. I chose the passionfruit and extra creamy for half my guests and the coconut cream and port for the other half. Tue Mar 22 00:04:39 -0800 2005 366544 0 Brent 2 368113 I liked the comparte's truffles, but when I went, the owners or chocolatiers were out, and the only people there were completely useless as a source of information. I bought a box and tried to get a list or description of what was inside, and they had no clue about even what each individual candy was, much less where to find a list. Nice thing about chocolate thought, surprises are almost always pleasant. Tue Mar 22 17:31:59 -0800 2005 367950 0 Sasha