Every year my cousin Ava and I go on a self-guided chocolate tour of Back Bay. We’ve been doing it for several years now so we’ve really honed down a system for maximum chocolate enjoyment.
Stop One
Beacon Hill Chocolates
Frankly, this is the best stop of the tour. Beacon Hill’s truffle case is unparalleled. The tough part is deciding, they have what seems like hundreds of options all very unique (like lavender, earl grey, cappucino, etc.). And they’re beautiful so there’s aesthetics to take into account as well.
Stop Two
Fastachi
This was a new addition to the tour this year. It’s a chocolate and nut shop just a few doors down from Beacon Hill Chocolates. They have some really interesting stuff like chocolate covered lemon peels and ginger. There were also some beautifully packaged bars and a huge array of nuts with or without chocolate. It’s a great spot if you like sweet and salty.
Stop Three
L.A. Burdick
L.A. Burdick does offer both a small selection of truffles and an array of bars from different regions around the world. But we really go there for a hot chocolate break. Their hot chocolate is unparalleled in Boston. It’s so smooth and creamy but not so heavy that you feel like you’re half drinking, half eating a soft chocolate bar. We usually do the milk chocolate here for a pick-me-up.
Stop Four
Teuscher
Can’t go wrong with some Swiss chocolate. Personally I love the champagne truffles here. We also both usually get a spicy cayenne bar, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. This year I tried a lavender truffle and a jasmine truffle as well. Both were delicious.
Stop Five
Lindt
Honestly, it’s mostly tradition that keeps us coming to Lindt every year. We never buy anything, though I have to say this year they had revamped the store so that you can have your own portions broken off a fresh sheet of chocolate. That’s a nice upgrade from just the more basic truffles. It’s not that I don’t like Lindt, it’s just that in comparison with all our other stops it can be lacking.
Stop Six
Godiva
We wrap up our trip at Godiva. They have some classic truffle options which are usually a good bet. I love the chocolate covered strawberries here but they’re quite expensive so I don’t usually spring for it. But hey, any potential suitors, chocolate covered strawberries are a sure fire way to get a second date.