Max Brenner- Center City (Philadelphia, USA)

If you love chocolate like the Count and I do you will really enjoy Max Brenner.  The smell of chocolate will lure you in to what in my mind is a real life Willy Wonka Chocolate factory turned restaurant. You can indulge on everything chocolate: from chocolate martinis to chocolate fondue.  While Max Brenner offers everything chocolate, there are other great dishes on their extensive menu. Recently, I was invited to try Max Brenner's new sweet and savory menu which consists of new waffle sandwiches, a waffle salad, crepes and new shakes.  

I started off with a chocolate martini. Should I go further? It's liquid chocolate with the addition of alcohol served with a strawberry. It is a deadly combination and will leave you in a state of chocolate coma. I was left wanting more. 

Next came the corn croquettes. Little small pieces of heavenly corn and manchego cheese balls dusted in panko bread crumbs and fried to perfection. 

I could have continued on the liquid chocolate for the rest of the evening but I was a women on a mission and had to try the waffle sandwiches next.  The new menu consists of five waffle sandwiches including a roasted turkey waffle, roasted vegetable waffle, prosciutto and apple waffle, roast beef waffle and turkey club waffle. Of course I tried them all. The Count and I both agreed that the prosciutto and apple and the roasted vegetable waffles were our favorite. 

While I enjoyed the waffles I was eyeing the next sweet dish and went straight  back to chocolate. Next, I ordered another decadent martini. This time a chocolate peanut butter martini which was essentially similar in flavor but served with a side of honey roasted peanuts. 

I know what you are thinking right now: "how much can this girl possibly eat?"  Well. I'm not called the Hungry Nomad for nothing.  Next, came my two favorite parts of the meal: the peanut butter and banana chocolate crepe and dark chocolate fondue.  

The crepe: Layers of gooey peanut butter, chocolate, bananas wrapped in a french crepe dough covered with more sliced bananas and powdered sugar.  Served with a side of extra peanut butter sauce in case you felt like you didn't have enough. It was simply amazing. 

Next came the fondue served with a bowl filled with fruits and marshmallows, chocolate sauce and a small flame to roast your marshmallows on before dipping in the chocolate sauce. This by far was my favorite part (not to say that I did not thoroughly enjoy everything else on the menu). 

For those calorie conscious eaters amongst us you may be alarmed at the calories you can consume on one sitting at Max Brenner's. But if you are looking to indulge in chocolaty sweetness there is no where better in town to get your chocolate fix than Max Brenner's. 

Ferrara Bakery & Cafe- Little Italy (New York, USA)

After our meal at Lombardi's, we found ourselves walking through the tourist filled streets of Little Italy. We were looking for dessert. Not just any dessert but that sweet stuff that Italian pastries are made of. Our friends suggested Ferrara Bakery as one of the oldest establishments in New York. We walked in and I immediately felt like I was in Italy. Rows and rows of colorful pastries lined the glass round counter. The Count and I were immediately swooning over the wide selection. How can you choose when there are so many amazing choices to pick from? 

There were tarts! Strawberry, kiwi, berries and lemon meringue tartes. There were eclairs! Chocolate, coffee and vanilla eclairs. There were Cannolis! Chocolate, vanilla and chocolate chip Cannolis. There was the Napoleon, pain au chocolat and an assortment of cakes. The best for me was the mini pastry section. It is meant for people who can't decide on one choice. You can order three mini versions of pastries which is exactly what I did. 

We sat down, made our orders and waited anxiously. Our desserts and coffees were out in a 'jiffy' (Yes! I have decided to use the term 'jiffy'- its fun and should be used more often). Who can guess which one of us ordered the Chocolate cake? 

If you guessed the Count, then you are correct! He ordered the chocolate cake and was unwilling to part with it to try the rest of the selection on our table. Of course, for research purposes I took a bit bite and loved the chocolaty texture and deep dark chocolate flavor. 

Our friends ordered the mini pastry plate and the Napoleon. I tried a bite of the Napoleon which was perfect. Who doesn't love a good Napoleon? Crispy layers of puff pastry with whipping cream oozing between each layer. I have only had such good treats in Italy and France. In fact, while studying in Paris I used to visit the corner pastry shop by my school for my weekly in take of Napoleon or as the french call it 'mille-feuille' (a thousand sheets). 

For my mini pastry sampler I had the chocolate chip Cannoli, chocolate cream puff and a chocolate wrapped pastry. I loved my Cannoli and really battled to finish the other two  (remember I had just finished having endless amounts of pizza at Lombardi's). 

This bakery is the kind of place I could see myself treating my mom (who has the biggest sweet tooth in the world) to every Sunday. Maybe its a good thing I don't live so close. 

Bittersweet Confections (New Orleans, USA)

Chocolate truffles, cakes, cupcakes and more chocolate. This is what you'll find at the new Bittersweet Confections location in the Central Business District. Originally there on a cake tasting mission, we ended up tasting many of their delicious cupcakes in various flavors: chocolate, red velvet and almond. All were delicious and washed down with a perfect cup of cappuccino. They also offer little treats to take away- neatly packaged in clear plastic and pink stickers. 

Originally located in Lakeview close to City Park the owners have relocated downtown. Lucky us- their treats are now more accessible for those living on this side of town. 

I hear their truffles are to die for and so I'll have to go back sometime on a truffle tasting mission. Will keep you posted on my discoveries. 

Hermé pas Hermes! (Pierre Hermé-Paris, France)

72 Rue Bonaparte/185 rue Vaugirard, Paris

In the mood for chocolate, macaroons, bonbons? Why not stop at Pierre Hermé?   Not to be confused with Hermes with an 'S' better know as every fashionista's mecca for luxury handbags and belts.

It is this confusion that led us to Pierre Hermé. My friend and I were in a desperate search for the the Hermes store in Paris...however due to the pronunciation we were led to Pierre Hermé. Not that I was complaining. I'd way rather indulge in expensive chocolate than a leather belt. This discovery however, was not easy on the pockets as  what Hermes represents in fashion, Pierre Hermé represents in delicious mouth-watering sweets. The shop is pretty small, smart, simple yet chic where you will be welcomed by a sweet/chocolate connoisseurs (although it is Paris- so lower your customer service expectations) who will teach you about each selection and help you with your picks. Although I love macaroons- at Pierre Hermé I often tend to go for the chocolate truffles and other sweets.  Be advised that this is not the cheapest spot in Paris to fill your belly with chocolate delights... but I do promise that the experience will be well worth it.

X-mas at Sucre (New Orleans)

I know I know! I already have a long post on Sucre. But I went there again last night and they happen to have the nicest window installations so I just had to create another post in order to honor the creativity of the owners and share it with the rest of you.Plus, they have special holiday macaroons (double chocolate covered in gold dust). Could anything taste better? I think not.