Sweet Things Abound: The Chocoholics Edition

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, June 13th, 2011

From Beans to Bar (Image: Alena Brozova/Shutterstock)

Chocolate Classes

If you want to get your hands on some chocolate AND get some hands-on experience with chocolate, you may be interested in the following class offerings.

Arlington’s Artisan Confections is offering a series of chocolate-making classes this summer. Each two-hour long class, taught by CIA-trained pastry chef and Chocolatier Jason Andelman, will begin with an explanation of the chocolate-making process — from cocoa bean to chocolate bar. Students will then have the opportunity to decorate chocolate bonbons as well as make a chocolate bar and rocher. And yes, you will be able to take home numerous chocolate goodies. Classes are limited to 12 participants and cost $75 per person.

I urge you in any event to stop by this neighborhood treasure to try this month’s three new bonbon flavors: Arnold Palmer (“lemon pate de fruit topped with a layer of Earl Grey tea ganache”); Bourbon-Peach (“a layer of milk chocolate bourbon ganache . . . topped with a layer of peach pate de fruit”) and Brandy-Walnut (“housemade walnut praline topped with a layer of milk chocolate and brandy ganache”). The top surface of each bonbon also features the artwork of local artists: in this case, Monica Gallagher, Jessica Pilar Rodriguez, and Reneé Alarid, respectively.

*Note that these classes are for individuals over the age of 16. For more information and to sign up:

Artisan Confections
1025 N. Fillmore St.
Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 524-0007

Class Schedule
Thursday, June 30, 2011: 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 10, 2011: 3-5 p.m.
Thursday, July 14, 2011: 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, August 11: 7-9 p.m.

Maitre Chocolatier Jane Morris of J. Chocolatier in Georgetown will be leading a demonstration class at the Arlington Sur La Table entitled “Parisian-Style Truffles at Home” on June 30. The demonstration will begin at 6:30 p.m. and costs $59/per person. Morris, like Andelman, makes small batch artisan chocolate without preservatives and varies her flavors seasonally. Sign up online, or call 1-800-243-0852.

Sur La Table
Pentagon Row
1101 South Joyce St. Suite B-20
Arlington, VA 22202

Looking for a summer chocolate class suitable for children (and a sitter for a couple of hours)? Consider classes at The Sugar Cube in Alexandria. On Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to noon, the confectionery shop will offer a truffle-making class. Aspiring young chocolatiers will learn how to make ganache as well as roll and dip centers, and each will leave the class with recipes, an apron, and a personalized box of chocolates to share with his or her lucky parents. The class costs $30 per child plus $25 for materials. The Sugar Cube will also host a Candy Camp in the first two weeks of August that includes two other chocolate classes (“Mold and Paint Chocolate Lollies” and “Chocolate Bars”). For more information on classes, visit the Sugar Cube’s blog.

The Sugar Cube
210 N. Lee St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-2868

Father’s Day Chocolate, Bacon, & Beer Brunch

Not ready to try your hands at chocolate, but eager to get your chocolate fix at the same time that you celebrate dad? Call and make reservations at 2941 alum Nisha Sidhu’s Co Co. Sala Chocolate Lounge and Boutique for its “Chocolate, Bacon, & Beer Brunch” this Sunday, June 19. For $36 per person, the brunch includes a starter of an Amuse Bacon (bacon mac & cheese bite); your choice of nine entrees (including Hotcake Obsession served with a “white chocolate cream” and Aztec Cheese Enchilada with a “chipotle chocolate ganache”); four desserts, e.g., the Funky Monkey Tart (“chocolate banana tart / bacon / macadamia nuts”) and Onyx (“dark chocolate mousse / vanilla creme brulee / salted caramel / crispy pearls / brownie”); and one of four cocktails (Bacon Bloody Mary, Wasabi Bloody Mary, Beer Bellini, or Fiery Passion Mimosa). This brunch looks good enough to make dad melt!

Co Co. Sala Chocolate Lounge & Boutique
929 F St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20004
(202) 347-4265

- Johnisha M. Levi

Tags: Alexandria, Arlington, Artisan Confections, bacon, beer, brunch, chocolate, CoCo Sala, Gut Check, J. Chocolatier, Jason Andelman, Johnisha levi, Sur La Table, The Sugar Cube, truffles