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Travel Nerd

Sweet Temptations

Grab your sweetie and hit the road to New Mexico’s favorite boutique chocolate shops. After all, as the saying goes, “Chocolate may not make the world go round, but it sure makes the trip worthwhile!” By Ashley M. Biggers

Heart-shaped Chocolate Pâtés from Santa Fe's The Chocolate Smith

Northern Road Trip

The City Different has one up-ed the original Santa Fe Trail with the Santa Fe Chocolate trail, which features four local chocolatiers who craft fine-quality delicacies. Each shop has its own specialties, so whether you visit one or all four, be sure to savor every bite.

First, visit The Chocolate Smith [851-A Cerrillos Rd., 505-473-2111.] Here owners Kari and Jeff Keenan handcraft items like choclate bark (including their can’t-miss green chile pistachio variety), sea salt covered caramels, and bliss-inducing signature pâtés (chocolate ganache cut in whimsical shapes, like chile peppers, and dipped in colorful Dutch cheese wax to prevent them from melting). In 2008, their chocolate pâtés were featured on the Food Network’s Road Tested with the Neelys. The couple prides themselves on old-school values: using premium local and organic ingredients, handcrafting their products, and offering customer service that’s second to none. You’ll be sure to taste the difference when you visit their homey, retro-chic shop in Santa Fe where Jeff might even offer you a cup of chocolate-infused coffee. If you can’t make it to Santa Fe, just shop online—many of their products can be shipped anywhere in the country.

For the truly blissful chocolate experience, head to the cozy Kakawa Chocolate House [1050 Paseo del Peralta, 505-982-0388]. Here, you can sip Meso-American or European drinking chocolates. These aren’t just plain ol’ hot chocolates; the “elixirs” are crafted from historically accurate recipes. Drinks include the chile-spiced, bittersweet Mayan Full Spice, and the almond-flavored, delicate Marie Antoinette. But sinful they aren’t—modern science has shown that eating chocolate results in the same chemical reactions (and euphoric feelings) as falling in love and can benefit your health. While you’re there, sample Kakawa’s flourless chocolate torte a truffle from a case so bountiful that Willy Wonka would be proud. If you’re feeling adventurous try one of the more exotic truffle varieties, like the prickly pear or Gorgonzola honey.

To complete your circuit along Santa Fe’s Chocolate Trail, enjoy fine quality truffles and sipping chocolates at C.G. Higgins Confections [847 Ninita St., at St. Francis Drive, 505-820-1315], and top off your day with gold or silver leaf covered chocolate milagros and confections from around the world at Todos Santos [Sena Plaza Courtyard, 125 E. Palace #31, 505-982-3855.]

 

 

Gourmet fudge truffles from Albuquerque's Cocopotamus

Central Road Trip

Central Road Trip
With a name that means “Food of the Gods,” Theobroma Chocolatier [12611 Montgomery Boulevard NE, (505) 293-6545] has a lot to live up to. But this Albuquerque mom-and-pop shop (owned by Chuck and Heidi Wecks) is sure to delight with their array of chocolate standards like truffles and coins. By sure to try their locally-inspired chocolate specialties like the Cortez Crunch bar (layers of dark chocolate, caramel and milk chocolate), and the UFO (a milk or dark chocolate disk with caramel and pecans, drizzled with white chocolate.

No trip to Albuquerque would be complete without a bite of Cocopotamus’s natural, gourmet fudge truffles. Cocopotamus puts a modern spin on fudge with recipes like the Godfather (Italian espresso fudge with rum) or Sumos Never Sleep (dark fudge with pure Japanese matcha green tea). Their motto says it all: “Fudge happens. Have a ball.” You can find Cocopotamus’s truffles around town at grocery stores like Whole Foods, but head to The Grove Café & Market [600 Central Ave. SE, (505) 248-9800], in east downtown, where you can top off your breakfast or lunch with a sweet treat. Or shop online anytime. 

Albuquerque institution Buffet’s Candy Store [7001 Lomas Blvd. NE, (505) 265-7731], which made an appearance in the 2009 film Sunshine Cleaning, was founded more than 50 years ago. Although it is best known for its piñon creations (like the heavenly piñon roll), Buffet’s also offers a full assortment of chocolate delights. Be sure to try the locally inspired Horny Toads (soft, chewy caramel on a bed of New Mexican pecans, covered in milk or dark chocolate) and the Black or Brown Bear Crunch (milk or dark chocolate covered caramel popcorn).   

Head to Albuquerque’s Old Town for a visit to the classic adobe shop of The Candy Lady [524 Romero St. NW, (505) 243-6239]. Here you’ll find hand molded chocolate in playful shapes, like hammers and motorcycles, and drool-worthy chocolate fudge.

 

 

Delights like these are available at Silver City's Chocolate Fantasia each February.

Southern Road Trip

Your first stop on your trip down south should be in Truth or Consequences, 150 miles south of Albuquerque off I-25, to Cocoa Re’al [909 N. Date St., Ste. B, (575) 571-0606]. Here mother-daughter duo Ellen and Alesha Evans serve a variety of seasonal truffles, including everything from port wine to peanut butter and jelly, and fudge. For Valentine’s day, try the tuxedo (white and dark chocolate coated) dipped strawberries. Although the cozy shop is off the beaten path, it’s well worth a visit.

In February, head toward Silver City, 112 miles north of Las Cruces off U.S. 180, for sweet rewards. Each year the city celebrates Chocolate Fantasia, during which you can stroll the historic downtown district while sampling gourmet-chocolate creations made by local chocolatiers. In 2010, Chocolate Fantastia will be held on February 13.

Next, head south to Mesilla, just outside Las Cruces, to The Chocolate Lady [304 Calle de Guadalupe, (575) 526-2744]. Here you’ll find recipes that have been delighting customers for 25 years. Sold by the piece, these handcrafted favorites include the “three Ts”: truffles, turtles, and toffee. The slab-style English toffee is coated with chocolate on both sides along with pecans. The toffee and turtles both feature locally-grown pecans (a regional specialty in southwestern New Mexico).

Whether you visit one New Mexico chocolatier or several, you’ll be sure to experience love at first bite.

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