Culinary Muse

Twelve Days of Gift Giving: Day Seven

For the truly devout chocolate lover may we present a very special offering from our dear friends at Holy Orders? The CHOCOLATE GIFT BAG contains the following:
-One 1 pound box of Chocolate Fudge Royale made by the Brigittine Monk in Amity, Oregon
-One 14 ounce box of Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Meltaways made by the Trappistine Nuns of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey, Dubuque, Iowa
-One 9 ounce box of Chocolate Coated Caramels made by the Trappistine Nuns of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey.

Have you heard of HOLY ORDERS? They offer a variety of quality products (not just chocolate) made with love at monasteries around the world. Treat yourself to a ride around the LABYRINTH with Sister on her red tractor while listening to a Gregorian Chant. Sister is happy to be able to help her Bay Area friends by offering UPS Ground next business day delivery.

Twelve Days of Gift Giving: Day Four

By now you have probably guessed that our Twelve Days of Gift Giving includes only chocolates and confections from our favorite chocolate folks. There is not anyone kinder in the confection business than Chuck Siegel. From the beginning of this site, he and his staff have been supportive of our chocolate endeavors. As a special treat to our readers, Chuck is offering you 15% off of your order. The deadline for ordering is December 17, next Monday. Hurry and send one of their very elegant edible boxes to your most important client. They will be impressed.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CHARLES CHOCOLATES SITE.

SCOTCH AND CHOCOLATE?

A perfect winter's evening pairing. Our rainy and foggy weather in San Francisco for the last few days just begs to be enjoyed with a warming glass of scotch and a nibble of chocolate. When choosing a scotch to pair with chocolate, go for the smoother single malts or less assertive blends like Johnnie Walker Red. One of our favorites is OBAN, a West Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Being from one of Scotland’s six Malt Whiskey making regions, it blends the sea air character of the Island malts with the soft, fruity style of the Highlands. So smooth. We like to pair it with Guittard’s 72% cacao dark chocolate or a fruity Dagoba 59% cacao. The city’s best selections of scotch can be found at William Glen & Son, 360 Sutter Street, SF, 94108, 415.989.5458.

FINE CHARLES CHOCOLATES ON SALE!

CHARLES CHOCOLATES is offering a 'friends and family' discount of 25% on their entire line of chocolates.  Unbelievable.  But not really if you have ever had the pleasure of meeting the generous folks who bring us these delicious artisan chocolates. And any friend of the Culinary Muse is a friend of Charles'. Consider their SIGNATURE EDIBLE CHOCOLATE BOX of elegant tea infused chocolates for your most cherished friends and clients. Be sure to check out the P.M.S. ASSORTMENT for your best girlfriends. The sale continues through Friday, December 15. ON LINE ORDERS ONLY. 

WELCOME BIONDIVINO!

biondivino is a new wine boutique that opened last week in the Russian Hill neighborhood. While the collection of boutique wines is truly divine, it was the collection of AMEDEI ITALIAN CHOCOLATE FROM TUSCANY that had this Muse gasping for air. There is no other place in San Francisco that is carrying the breadth of this great chocolate house. Hurry in before we buy everything! And while you are there be sure to have owner, Ceri Smith, suggest a bottle or two of wine for dinner tonight. Wine prices start at $11.00 and most are in the less than $25.00 range. What you save on wine can be spent on chocolate...biondivino is at 1415 Green Street, between Polk and Van Ness. 415.673.2320.

TRULY DIVINE CHOCOLATE GIFT GIVING

The first in our series of chocolate holiday gift ideas comes from our friends at Holy Orders. They are the exclusive purveyors of this truly divine Italian chocolate made by the Camaldolese Monks. For $22.00 you will receive two 150 gram bars of chocolate, one light, one dark. You will love ordering from HOLY ORDERS the answer to your gift giving prayers. They sell hand made gifts from monasteries and cloisters around the world.  If you are looking for gifts with soul and meaning this is the place.