{"id":5806,"date":"2011-06-03T09:38:33","date_gmt":"2011-06-03T16:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=5806"},"modified":"2018-03-20T15:44:41","modified_gmt":"2018-03-20T22:44:41","slug":"the-haute-couturier-of-chocolate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/the-haute-couturier-of-chocolate\/","title":{"rendered":"The Haute Couturier of Chocolate"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Designer<\/a><\/p>\n

This week’s obsession<\/strong>…. is chocolate, not just any chocolate, but the haute couturier of chocolate, world renowned\u00a0Pierre Marcolini<\/span><\/strong><\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Brussels may be known as the international capital of Europe as host of the administrative offices of the European Union and the center of international politics since World War II, but some consider it the Capital of Chocolate<\/strong><\/span> as well.<\/p>\n

You’ll have no problem finding chocolate shops, standing on the sidewalk of any street in the most frequented tourist areas such as the Grand Sablon and Grand Place, you’ll see shops for Leonidas, Guylian and Cote d’Or sometimes side by side. But of all the chocolate shops in Brussels – and we nibbled at many, one stood out…<\/p>\n

Considered the Haute Couturier of Chocolate<\/span>, a visit to Pierre Marcolini is by far the most unforgettable chocolate experience you’ll ever encounter. Pierre Marcolini, Belgian by nationality and Italian of origin, has long been famed\u00a0among discerning chocoholics and first began winning accolades in 1991 when he was named Premier Belgian Ice Cream Confectioner, then World Champion Pastry in 1995, and European Champion Pastry in 2000 by the World Pastry Cup. Established since 1995, his\u00a0chocolate creations are handmade in Brussels and shipped to their other flagship stores in Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, and Nagoya.<\/p>\n

The hushed elegant interior has the ambiance of an exclusive boutique where their handmade luxury gourmet truffles and chocolates are stylishly displayed in black minimalist alcoves. Ascending the plush, black carpeted, winding stairway to the second floor was like entering a penthouse of delightful decadence. The petite, polished crimson chocolate hearts are definitely the best gift to bring to your chocolate loving friends! But at $102.50 USD a pound, reserved for those friends very dear to your heart \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

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Photo credit: Valentine’s Dating<\/a><\/p>\n

If you’re unable to visit one of their stores,\u00a0Pierre Marcolini<\/a> has an equally elegant \u00a0E-Boutique<\/a> where you are able to create your own box of their luxury confections. They currently ship to Belgium, France, and Great Britain. In the US, I’ve read that you can have the chocolates shipped from their New York store.<\/p>\n