Chocoholics Anonymous
Those closest to me have coined the New York Metro Chocolate Meetup Group "Chocoholics Anonymous" when in fact the monthly sessions are more like exuberant celebrations of confection, replete with outstanding bottle service, divine chocolate, and a plethora of chic New Yorkers—quite the opposite of the church basement, support group scene. This month’s Meetup was dedicated solely to the distinguished art of chocolate tasting, which was achieved via the sampling of extraordinary (and not so extraordinary) chocolate from plantations as far away as Madagascar, Venezuela and San Tome. Oddly enough, I still managed to leave the meeting with a few additional items that could possibly qualify as contraband. Michel Cluizel’s Les Champignons--magic little mushrooms fashioned from nougatine (similar to praline, a paste made with sugar and ground almonds), caramel, and dark chocolate induce a heightened sense of elation. Cluizel's Chocolate Covered Coca Nibs, for "concentration, energy and bliss" are prescribed 3, as needed and come with a disclaimer "May cause euphoria." I confess, I may have overdosed. Until we meet again next month...