February 2006 | Conscious Dining

Eat Chocolate to be Happy and Healthy

By Janine MacLachlan

Chocolate conjures up all sorts of images: indulgence, relaxation, and romance, particularly around Valentine’s Day as we seek out ways to express love to our sweethearts.

Yes, the No. 1 reason to eat chocolate is sheer enjoyment. But now, much to the delight of chocoholics, or at least those who indulge in high-quality dark chocolate, it can also conjure up the image of good health.

Scientists tell us that chocolate contains flavonoids, the same substances that make red wine and green tea good for us, making it a good choice for promoting heart health. And it seems that milk blocks the absorption of these flavonoids, so dark chocolate is the way to go. No problem on this end.

But calories count, so I’ve decided to make the most of my chocolate by making good choices for one of my favorite ways to indulge. Chicago serves up plenty of places to enjoy a sweet indulgence, as well as take some home for a midnight treat.

Blessings and Boldness

For a balance of boldness and Zen, the best choice is Vosges Haut-Chocolat, a local chocolate company with a big national profile. It focuses on rich chocolate paired with unexpected flavors and names such as Black Pearl, dark chocolate with Japanese ginger, pungent wasabi and black sesame seeds; Red Fire, dark chocolate with ancho chili powder and Ceylon cinnamon; and Naga, milk chocolate with curry powder and coconut flakes.

The flavors are bold and the philosophy is inspired by the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, a symbol of good luck. Lucky indeed. While the big draw is the truffle collection, which is beautiful to look at and dreamy to taste, the $6 chocolate bars are also worth the splurge. Two-piece truffle boxes run $4.75 and collections can run to $185 for that extra-special someone. Vosges is available at specialty food stores and department stores, as well as independent boutiques in Chicago, New York and Las Vegas, and a new shop and yoga studio in Lincoln Park where patrons are invited to “melt your heart, free your mind.”

Vosges founder Katrina Markoff obviously takes her philosophy to heart by offering a yoga and chocolate chakra box ($36) with a seven-piece collection, one for each chakra, or energy center in the body, as well as a book of quotes and insights. She also hosts an autumn yoga and chocolate retreat to Oaxaca, Mexico.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat, 520 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, 312-644-9450, and 951 W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, 773-296-9866.

Personality and Zest

For zestful personality, check out Terry’s Toffee, another local candy company that not too long ago burst on the scene and hasn’t looked back. Owner Terry Opalek is one of those exuberant folk who has traveled the enviable path toward lovable work. He fine-tuned his grandmother’s toffee recipe, named it McCall’s Classic, and then proceeded to create variations such as lemon paradise and orange blossom.

Of course, he serves up the requisite innovations, like cran-orange passion with dried cranberries and orange oil: Asian accent with ginger and wasabi green peas; and Lavenilla with lavender and vanilla in white chocolate. And then there’s the whimsical Mazel Toffee, embedded with kosher matzo.

But my hands-down favorite is Chai-Town spice, with cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom and pepper dipped in dark chocolate. Inspired by the Indian tea drink, it definitely is worth the splurge. And Terry’s Toffee is still a family affair — I once encountered Terry’s mom distributing samples at Fox & Obel. Keeping in mind that dark chocolate contains healthy antioxidants, I went back for seconds. Everything in moderation, including moderation, I say. The toffee is $8 for a quarter pound, $25 per pound, available at specialty food stores all over the city and in a dozen other states as well as Opalek’s new store.

Terry’s Toffee, 1117 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, 312-733-2700.

Over-the-Top Indulgence

For sheer indulgence, check out the chocolate bar in the lobby bar of the Peninsula Hotel on Friday and Saturday evenings. This buffet of out-and-out decadence is created by executive chef Terry Crandall. It features a seemingly limitless list of chocolate luxury, including opera cake, chocolate coffee tart, chocolate-dipped strawberries, crème brulee, flan and the requisite truffles. Plus unlimited coffee drinks, which you’ll need to wash down all that sumptuousness.

Cost is $26 per person, $12 for children under 12, and $35 for the chocolate martini upgrade, which would seem the beverage of choice to offset such a luscious indulgence. Live jazz tops off the experience.

Peninsula Hotel, 108 W. Superior St., Chicago, 312-337-2888. Fridays and Saturdays 8 to 11:30 p.m.

Chocolate Fountains

And for those on a budget, I’ve discovered we can get a chocolate fountain of our own (chocolate not included) for about fifty bucks at places like Target and Home Depot. And for those who don’t think a chocolate fountain would be used enough to justify the investment, you can even rent one online.

Janine MacLachlan used to be a recovering chocoholic until she decided to revel in the health benefits of this bittersweet confection.