GOOD TASTES.NEW CHOCOLATE BARS Lindt & Sprungli, the Swiss chocolate Swiss chocolates, together with their timepieces and machinery, have earned a reputation for high quality abroad. History Chocalate came to Europe in the 16th century. By the 17th century it was produced in Switzerland. maker, recently introduced the Origins Collection to its Excellence premium chocolate product line. Two single-origin chocolate bars are available. The Ecuador, a 75 percent cocoa bar made from arriba cocoa beans from the lowlands of the coast of Ecuador, has a very intense dark chocolate smoky flavor. The Madagascar bar, with 65 percent cacao cacao (kəkä`ō, –kā`–), tropical tree (Theobroma cacao) of the family Sterculiaceae (sterculia family), native to South America, where it was first domesticated and was highly prized by the Aztecs. , is made with sambirano cocoa beans from the northwest part of Madagascar. It has a much milder and smoother chocolate flavor (than the Ecuador) with very subtle orange or fruity overtones. We favored the Madagascar bar. Although the company also makes a 55 percent cacao Cuba bar, due to trade restrictions it's not allowed to be imported to this country (you'll find it in Europe). The company plans to release a bar sourced from Peru in early 2007. Look for the bars at Target stores with a suggested retail of $2.99 per 3.5-ounce bar. -- Natalie Houghton GELATO ge·la·to n. pl. ge·la·ti An Italian ice cream or ice. [Italian, from past participle of gelare, to freeze; see gelatin.] BAR New in Tujunga Village in Studio City is the charming Gelato Bar recently opened by Gail Silverton, the sister of Nancy Silverton Nancy Silverton is an American chef and baker. She has authored several cookbooks and has been at the forefront of efforts to revitalize sourdough and artisan breads in the United States. of La Brea La Brea (lə brā`ə), area, S Calif., formerly in Rancho La Brea. The La Brea asphalt pits, which yielded prehistoric animal and plant remains, are in Hancock Park, Los Angeles. Bakery and Campanile campanile (kămpənē`lē, Ital. kämpänē`lā), Italian form of bell tower, constructed chiefly during the Middle Ages. fame. Besides 22 flavors of Italian gelato (in sizes ranging from $3.50 to $6.75), the shop also offers pastries (from La Brea Bakery), granitas, assorted coffee drinks and Italian sodas. We loved the chocolate hazelnut and chocolate gelati -- and are anxious to try some other flavors. Open daily. Call (818) 487-1717 for hours. -- N.H. FREE CAVIAR LEAFLET Schramsberg Vineyards & Tsar Nicoulai Caviar have teamed up to present an attractive color leaflet, ``Caviar & Bubbles: A Food and Wine Lovers' Guide to American Caviar and Sparkling Wine Pairings.'' The pairings came about as a result of the findings of a taste panel of food professionals, chefs and winemakers. Each of six wines has been matched with three top caviar selections to serve with it. For instance, with J. Schram, suggestions include California Estate Osetra, Gold Pearl Salmon or American Golden Whitefish whitefish: see salmon. whitefish Any of several silvery food fishes (family Salmonidae, or Coregonidae), inhabiting cold northern lakes of Europe, Asia, and North America. , while J. Schram Rose is best with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar's Select California Estate Osetra, Gold Pearl Trout, and Beet & Saffron saffron, name for a fall-flowering plant (Crocus sativus) of the family Iridaceae (iris family) and also for a dye obtained therefrom. The plant is native to Asia Minor, where for centuries it has been cultivated for its aromatic orange-yellow stigmas (see Whitefish. For a free copy, call (800) 877-3623, e-mail info1@schramsberg.com, or go to www.schramsberg.com. -- N.H. CAPTION(S): 4 photos Photo: (1 -- 2 -- color) no caption (Lindt & Sprungli's Origins Collection Excellence premium chocolate) (3 -- color) no caption (Gelato Bar) (4 -- color) no caption (``Caviar & Bubbles: A Food and Wine Lovers' Guide to American Caviar and Sparkling Wine Pairings'') |
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