With the holidays coming up, I think now is a good time to start providing gift ideas.

I'll start with chocolate. I'm a big fan of straight up dark chocolate bars. Truffles have their place, as do other types of filled bon bons. They're like port or sherry. But bar chocolate is more like a great wine. Screw dessert, this is about the meal.

Now, I'm no expert or anything, but I spend more money per week on chocolate than I used to spend on cigarettes. If you know someone who really likes dark chocolate, (I mean really dark, like 70% or more), buy them one or two of these for the holidays:

(these are in no particular order)
Amedei Chuao
El Rey Apamate
Domori Porcelana
Cluizel Concepcion

If they must have milk chocolate, at least make it good:

Scharffenberger 41%
El Rey Caoba
or, the best milk chocolate available, the Slitti 62% Lattenero

If you're in SF, I urge you to buy these from Chocolate Covered on 24th between Noe and Sanchez, if not, use the links.

Now eating: Plantations Arriba 75%
Now Playing: "When you Sleep" by My Bloody Valentine