Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie
I read an article about Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in the Chicago Tribune today and given that it's not far from where I live, I decided to check it out:
Growing up in northern France, Glencoe resident Marie Douailly Backman had ample opportunity to sample fine Belgian chocolates. Her favorites were made by Leonidas, a Brussels-based chocolate company founded in 1913. Now she and her husband, Ari, are bringing those memories back to life with the recently opened Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Wilmette. It is one of several Leonidas shops around the world.
Offering more than 60 kinds of chocolate, the shop's temperature- and humidity-controlled display cases require some browsing time. The Manon Cafe, a praline with mocha buttercream and a whole roasted hazelnut, is the company's signature item. Like many of the confections--such as truffles and ganaches--it's offered in white, milk and dark chocolate. The candy is made in Belgium and flown in fresh biweekly; it costs $29.50 a pound.
Seating can accommodate about 20; outdoor seating also is planned.
The Backmans also sell a limited menu of pastries (Swiss apple tart and Linzer tart, for instance) and croissants ($3-$4 each), along with organic, fair-trade coffees, espresso and hot chocolate ($2-$4). Chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate fondue can be special-ordered.
Sandwiches aren't on the menu, but, as Ari points out, "that leaves more room for chocolate."
They just opened, so they don't have the pastries, croissants, or anything else besides the Leonidas candy yet. I was looking forward to some brioche from their Swiss pastry chef, but I was fine with the chocolates. The chocolates I bought were very rich with nice smooth texture. I personally tried a Bûche- a roll of pistachio marzipan covered in dark chocolate, a fruit pastel, Gianduja emballée- a creamy bar of typical Belgian hazelnut milk chocolate, and of course the signature Manon Cafe, which was divine. I ate my chocolates very slowly to experience all of the excellently rich flavor. Expensive, but well worth it. Lately I've had plenty of Swiss chocolate, which is very good, but far inferior to the richness of Belgian chocolate. I can't wait for the other items to be added to the menu and I hear they will carry Harney and Sons tea, which is very high grade and delicious.
Mrs. Backman herself is very nice and speaks beautiful native French. They also play classical music in the store, which adds a nice touch. While I was there I met a viola player from the Lyric Opera and a woman who works for the Lyric Opera Guild, so I managed to score a nice paperback Annual Guide to the Arts in Chicago and discuss the next season of operas. If you can visit Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie for the chocolates you should do it soon, since they are just starting to get lots of press and I anticipate it will get very crowded in the future. The only detraction is the price, but an occasional visit won’t dent the pocketbook too much.
Growing up in northern France, Glencoe resident Marie Douailly Backman had ample opportunity to sample fine Belgian chocolates. Her favorites were made by Leonidas, a Brussels-based chocolate company founded in 1913. Now she and her husband, Ari, are bringing those memories back to life with the recently opened Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie in Wilmette. It is one of several Leonidas shops around the world.
Offering more than 60 kinds of chocolate, the shop's temperature- and humidity-controlled display cases require some browsing time. The Manon Cafe, a praline with mocha buttercream and a whole roasted hazelnut, is the company's signature item. Like many of the confections--such as truffles and ganaches--it's offered in white, milk and dark chocolate. The candy is made in Belgium and flown in fresh biweekly; it costs $29.50 a pound.
Seating can accommodate about 20; outdoor seating also is planned.
The Backmans also sell a limited menu of pastries (Swiss apple tart and Linzer tart, for instance) and croissants ($3-$4 each), along with organic, fair-trade coffees, espresso and hot chocolate ($2-$4). Chocolate-dipped strawberries and chocolate fondue can be special-ordered.
Sandwiches aren't on the menu, but, as Ari points out, "that leaves more room for chocolate."
They just opened, so they don't have the pastries, croissants, or anything else besides the Leonidas candy yet. I was looking forward to some brioche from their Swiss pastry chef, but I was fine with the chocolates. The chocolates I bought were very rich with nice smooth texture. I personally tried a Bûche- a roll of pistachio marzipan covered in dark chocolate, a fruit pastel, Gianduja emballée- a creamy bar of typical Belgian hazelnut milk chocolate, and of course the signature Manon Cafe, which was divine. I ate my chocolates very slowly to experience all of the excellently rich flavor. Expensive, but well worth it. Lately I've had plenty of Swiss chocolate, which is very good, but far inferior to the richness of Belgian chocolate. I can't wait for the other items to be added to the menu and I hear they will carry Harney and Sons tea, which is very high grade and delicious.
Mrs. Backman herself is very nice and speaks beautiful native French. They also play classical music in the store, which adds a nice touch. While I was there I met a viola player from the Lyric Opera and a woman who works for the Lyric Opera Guild, so I managed to score a nice paperback Annual Guide to the Arts in Chicago and discuss the next season of operas. If you can visit Leonidas Cafe Chocolaterie for the chocolates you should do it soon, since they are just starting to get lots of press and I anticipate it will get very crowded in the future. The only detraction is the price, but an occasional visit won’t dent the pocketbook too much.