L.A. Burdick white chocolate mouse: A few weeks ago, I found a box of assorted chocolates on my desk. I'm almost certain it was left by mistake, but I waited a few days for them to be claimed before digging in. The box contained many different types of chocolates, a few much better than others. This review is solely for the white chocolate mouse. The chocolate mice are iconic of L.A. Burdick; they were featured at Mark Zuckerberg's wedding. I've gifted them to others but never tried them myself. The white chocolate mouse conta... (read more) 4.0/5.0
laburdick chocolate mice recommended 4.0 white mouse
Lacta Biz chocolate wafers: Lacta is a Brazilian chocolate brand owned by Mondelez & Kraft. This pack of milk chocolate covered wafers contained individually wrapped mini bars about 3/4 the size of a KitKat (though it's wider). Wafer was slightly crispier than a KitKat; chocolate was about average for this type of candy bar. 2.5/5.0
bis chocolate wafer brazillian 2.5 lactabiz wafers
Lake Champlain Caramel Five Star bar: These "snack" bars always seem to be at the check out at Whole Foods. I'm not one to purchase chocolate on my own, but I received one for participating in a research study at my lab. Inside the fairly thick milk chocolate shell is a very sweet honey caramel mixed with nuts. The size of the chocolate is awkward: too big for a snack, and requires a knife to reasonably share with others. Overall, I found the caramel milk chocolate combo to be far too sweet. Unfortunately, this five star bar is ... (read more) 2.0/5.0
chocolate lakechamplain caramel almonds 2.0 candy five star bar
Las Delicias Patisserie Chocolate Rugelach: Very tasty mini baked treats: pastry folded with layers of chocolate (spread but also in small chunks), all topped with sugar crystals. A bit sweet but good in small quantities. Made at NYC-based bakery Las Delicias and purchased at the Park Slope Food Coop. 3.5/5.0
recommended pastry sweets parkslopefoodcoop dessert lasdeliciaspatisserie chocolate rugelach 3.5
Lava Cookies Chocolate Chip Lava Cookie: These massive cookies (about 4" in diameter and 3/4" thick) are available at pastrami shop Harry and Ida's in the East Village. Each cookie costs a little under $6 each and are large enough to be easily shared. I'm not one to purchase a cookie in a bake shop, as I generally prefer other pastries and breads, but I can easily say this is one of the top cookies I've had in my life. On the interior is a molten chocolate filling whose consistency just holds together, while the cookie itself is... (read more) 4.5/5.0
exceptional baked nyc harryandidas lavacookies chocolate chip lava cookie 4.5
Leonelli Focacceria e Pasticceria Hazelnut Cookie with Chocolate-Orange Ganache: Partnering with non-profit Cookies 4 Kids, Leonelli in NYC has created their own set of shortbread sandwich cookies, with 100% of the proceeds going towards raising funds for pediatric cancer research. The michelin-shaped cookies are made by hopeful pastry chef Lindsey Bittner, and they are perfectly executed, with the most excellent shortbread I have had anywhere. The cookie yields almost immediately, with a rich, buttery texture that you have to taste to fully appreciate. Inside, the Va... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended nyc bakery chocolate leonellifocacceriaepasticceria cookie chocolate-orange ganache 4.0 hazelnut