Bespoke Chocolates: Custom-Made Chocolates Equal Swoon-Inducing Deliciousness

February 19, 2009

“Pop the the pretzel-covered sea-salted caramel ($2.25) in your mouth in one bite,” said the smiley counter girl.  “You need to contain the liquidy caramel.”  I happily obliged and was immediately searching for a counter to lean on.  All my energy surged to my taste buds, the better to absorb the transcendent flavor transformation taking place.  Salty crunch gives way to smokey caramel and when the dark chocolate appears, the swoon begins, your mind overcome by a chocolate work of art.  What better name than “Bespoke”, defined as “custom-made”, for a place where everything from the ingredients, to the selection and even the location, is unique.  Read on to discover how to find Bespoke Chocolates plus a look at some other delicious items…

The crunchy exterior provided by a bed of crushed pretzel gives way to decadent, silky deliciousness.

Southampton Tea Truffle ($2.25)

The favorite bon bon of co-owner & London-trained chocolatier Rachel Zoe Insler, the hand-rolled Southampton Tea Truffle is the largest of Bespoke’s chocolates.  The subtly fruity flavor of imported apricot infused black tea is steeped (infused) in the cream used to make these chocolates.  Like the pretzel-covered sea-salted caramel, the flavor of the light and creamy Caribbean chocolate also moves in waves over your taste buds.

Apricot, chocolate and a fleeting hint of tea take turns at the forefront of your tongue, leaving in their wake a surprisingly refreshing flavor uncharacteristic of a dark chocolate bon bon.

Passion fruit White Chocolate ($2.25)

If you’ve never tasted Venezuelan white chocolate, the time is now.  The deodorized chocolate offers the creaminess of white chocolate without the overwhelming sweetness, resulting in a much cleaner flavor.  This is the perfect receptacle for the vibrantly flavored passion fruit filling which really pops upon first taste.  I’ve never experienced such a perfectly sharp contrast between fruit and chocolate.

Chai Spice ($2.25)

One of just three milk chocolate items on Bespoke’s menu, cinnamon was the dominant flavor in the chai spice bon bon, subduing the flavor of the creamy milk chocolate.  I’m an opportunist when it comes to chocolate, usually leaning towards milk, but in the case of Bespoke, I’d stick to the complex and rich dark chocolate.

Hazelnut Praline ($2.25)

Praline, I learned from Rachel, is actually the “caramelized paste of roasted hazelnuts and almonds.”  And if you use high quality Chocolate Weiss praline (“better than Valrhona”, according to Rachel), the result is a flavor more intensely hazelnut than Nutella.

Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

And speaking of Nutella, you’re now able to pass on the brand name spread and treat yourself to Bespoke’s intensely flavored version.  The tiny sample I tasted offered a smokey and delicate decadence which regular Nutella could never match.

Finding Bespoke Chocolates

First take a look at the Google map (link) I’ve provided, then familiarize yourself with the photos below and you’ll have no problem finding Bespoke Chocolates, nestled on Extra Place, off 1st street between 2nd Avenue & Bowery.

Bespoke Chocolates (Website)

6 Extra Place Off East 1st Street

b/t Bowery and 2nd Avenue

New York, NY 10003

212-260-7103

Posted in Bespoke Chocolates, EAST VILLAGE, MANHATTAN