I PROMISED to share
where you’ll find
chocolate to put you
in a fine frame of mind.
The Lion has left
the building.
Here’s a place
or two or three to
bring a smile to your
face (hopefully)–
They might not
replace me but
they’re new and
worthwhile.
CLANDESTINE CHOCOLATES, Hopkinton NH
A few times each year chocolatier Jonathan Doherty creates a limited edition of 250 identical perfectly executed bonbon boxes. Custom art lovingly stenciled and airbrushed. The flavors are interesting and elegant. And for at least the next year (or until he runs out) Jonathan’s using chocolate made by Dancing Lion. Order yours online.
Jonathan wrote a nice article about Dancing Lion Chocolate just before we closed the shop.
Fernando Velez harkens from Avon, Connecticut, but he’s really from Ecuador. He began as a chocolate maker, but time spent at Dancing Lion convinced him that there might be a future in bonbons. And hot chocolate. Fernando specializes in chocolate bars, both pure and with inclusions. I highly recommend his Piedra De Plata bar, made with HCP Heirloom-designated cacao from Ecuador. You can order online or visit his shop.
TWO POET CHOCOLATES, Dover NH
I first met Ryan Flaherty when he was teaching poetry at the New Hampshire Institute of Art. My co-chocolatier (Leaf) was enrolled in Ryan’s class while finishing their degree, and in the process, Ryan discovered Dancing Lion Chocolate and spent some time working in our shop. Currently a home-based business, he’s now building out a kitchen and retail location in Dover, New Hampshire. When we closed the shop, Ryan purchased most of our equipment and cacao, and will soon be making bonbons from his own chocolate in the new space. We’ve had many discussions about the art of crafting traditional drinking chocolate, so I know it will be worth the visit. Until that time, feel free to contact Ryan directly or visit his website for information.
Others in New England
A few minutes walk from the former Dancing Lion Chocolate in Manchester (North on Elm St., left at Bridge St., cross the river, turn left at the light, then enter the renovated mill building on the corner. Go through the front door and straight back and you’ll find)
Laura Withers, technically the very first Dancing Lion Chocolate apprentice and sort-of employee, oversees sourcing and chocolate production at Loon. Laura’s spent time in Belize and Grenada and knows her stuff. When I closed the business, Kiki Bagley, my final employee took a job working with Laura. There you have it–first and last. Good chocolate made from good beans and the prices are very reasonable.
Did I mention that Laura worked for Enna for awhile? I’ve know Enna since before she opened her (thriving) business in downtown Exeter–her chocolate is solid, her cafe is comfortable, and everything is delicious. Well worth the trip.
CHOCOLATS PASSION, Portland ME
Catherine Wiersema and her team run an elegant chocolate shop in downtown Portland. Their bonbons are beautiful and flavorful, the shop is pretty, and it’s just a generally nice place to hang out with a cup of hot chocolate for some serious bonbon noshing. Catherine’s an Ecole Chocolat graduate.