Article by Melissa Bauman
Photos by Fitz
(Lead image- title page of The Bonbonnier print spread in the 004 edition of Southern Grit)
Chocolate and sex have always been inseparable. This couldn’t have been more evident as during WWII, when American G.I.s utilized their “C-rations” to seduce women. Originally intended as part high-nutrition bar and part pick me up, chocolate was quickly identified as a very effective tool for removing clothing off the ladies. And why not? Within seconds of contact with the highly coveted bars, pupils dilate, mouths water, palms sweat and everything gets …sticky.
Sadly, this isn’t true of every chocolate anymore. Your neighborhood grocer stocks plenty of sad, waxy wannabes that practically catcall you as you’re trying to exit (keep your wrapper on, you’re not going anywhere). Sorry soldier, if you want to land your B-52 on this strip, you’re going to need to get cleared for approach with some high end, getting slugged right in the sexual feels chocolate. The kind you get at places like The Bonbonnier.
The Bonbonnier is part old-fashioned sweet shoppe, where every day is throwback Thursday, part hipster soda fountain with ice cream scooped generously into your coffee, and part chocolatier, with a bakery case full of truffles, barks, cups and covered apples. Owner Lisa Lain has carefully curated the best of the best for her World War II themed store and cheerfully acts as impromptu match-maker (if you’re unsure of your tastes or if you’re sick of your vanilla life and feel ready to explore new territory). Everything looked attractive and smelled divine, but we settled on sharing three of their signature chocolates.
The making of “The Spit Fire” confection at the Bonbonnier
The Spitfire- Like it’s namesake, the WWII British aeronautic superstar, it comes in quiet but lights up hot and lays a pattern of spicy bombs over your tastebuds, like the shy guy with the adorable accent you meet at the coffee shop that turns out to be a total stallion in the sack. The flavors are complex and incredibly enjoyable. No need to soldier through any overt blasts, the strafing run is over fast and the heat dissipates as quickly and quietly as it started.
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Simply one of the freshest and best breakfasts available in Norfolk! Visit The Bakehouse at Chelsea online HERE or click the image above!
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The Salted Caramel Cup- A sweetheart that checks all your boxes. The caramel is rich and thick and delightfully sandwiched between two perfectly proportioned layers of chocolate. It’s the really cute muscular guy who you think is maybe just slightly out of your league but shows up ready to romance you with the wine and the flowers and the spotify playlist of hot music. If you’ve ever suffered through cheap date caramel ― that kind oozes out and ruins your clothes the minute you show interest ― you know how nice it is to sink your teeth into something of substance. The little sprinkling of salt delivered sparingly across the top gave just the right flavor balance and a teensy bit of crunch. This treat would definitely cuddle you after and text you the next day.
The Chocolate Cherry Chili Bark- Real talk: chocolate covered cherries are one of the most hotly debated and routinely reviled confections available. Usually packaged in flimsy plastic trays inside garish boxes that are trying too hard, they’re the bad hookups of chocolate. Put it in your mouth and you’re immediately flooded with regret in the form of sticky, flavorless syrup and a gag-worthy maraschino cherry. Not coincidentally, they’re wildly popular during the holidays when we all just want to be loved. No judgement. But if this was as far as you ventured, you’d be missing out, because the chocolate cherry bark we tasted was downright delightful. Not too thick, but not too thin either, this fairly unassuming looking bark packed a surprisingly sexy punch. The cherries were tart and fresh, the chocolate was rich and delicious. There was enough heat to have us all yearning for just a bit more, but savoring every bite. The chili spice isn’t so forward as to be off-putting, rather, it waits to be discovered after a couple of seconds lingering in your mouth. This surprisingly subtle and yet quietly bold chocolate is the southern gentleman of chocolate. Take it home to meet the family and watch how quickly you’re forgiven for the chocolate missteps of your past.
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For great craft beer, Lynnhaven oysters, chef demos and much more check out this upcoming event HERE or click the flier above.
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Writer’s Note- At the insistence of the owner, we tried the Chocolate Cherry Bomb which is a colossal cherry wrapped in cherry fudge and then dipped in a delicate chocolate shell. It was incredible, but a little too intense for every day delights and too much for one person to enjoy solo. Take it home, but expect it to flirt with your best friend.
The Bonbonnier is located at 913 west 21st Street in Ghent
For more info on The Bonbonnier visit them online at
thebonbonnier.com and on facebook at www.facebook.com/thebonbonnier
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