http://www.chocosphere.com

There’s also another one up in NJ that does mail order, but the name escapes me. They currently don’t carry pralus or domori, but pralus will be arriving in 3 weeks and domori shortly thereafter. While I don’t know of any brick and mortar places in DC that sell them, I’m sure they exist.

I am sure that Washington D.C. has some stores that sell high end chocolate, but if you have trouble finding them, and if you are up to the 1.5 hour drive, go to Richmond, Virginia to a store called For the Love of Chocolate. They carry all the good stuff you seek. I should know…I used to work there.

I’m sure you will find tons of new things to taste while in America. There are many fine chocolatiers and chocolate manufacturers there. Since it seems you’re predominantly interested in bars, you’ll be happy to try Guittard, Scharffen Berger, and Dagoba. And, fairly close to D.C. is Boston, and there is a Richart boutique situated there. And during your stay in D.C., if you ever take a trip to NY, there’s so many chocolatiers and shops there you won’t possibly have enough time to see them all. If you do decide to do that, however, let me know, and I can provide you with a must-see tour guide.

Anxious, eh? Well, I sometimes confuse anxiety for excitement, so I just brush it off [:D] When you visit NY, I would probably go when the weather is cooler, especially since it sounds as if you’ll be doing some major chocolate purchasing.

I prefer bars, of course. Solid, unadulterated, pure, and plain. I still love bonbons (i.e. filled chocolates) and flavored bars (i.e. nuts, chili, fruits, etc.) and certainly will not pass up the opportunity to taste them, but if I had the choice of purchasing a bar or a box of chocolates, then my choice would most likely be of the former. But, of course, this depends. There are many chocolatiers whose chocolates I have not tried and am dying to taste, and many of them are essentially renowned for their chocolates.

Same with me. I taste a chocolate depending on what my taste buds are in the mood for. There are some chocolates, though, that seem to transcend and go beyond what my palate might desire and just satisfy regardless.

Go to http://www.google.com, click the “Local” tab, then type in “Washington D.C. +chocolate.” Several pages will appear. Besides, once you get to D.C., just look a phone book under “chocolate,” “candy,” and “confections.” I seriously doubt that a city as large as D.C. would have a shortage of fine chocolate.