Truffle Hunter

Play "Make Someone Happy"
by Comden & Greene

It was early in the evening and dark had just begun to shroud the city. I'd stepped out of an informal wine and cheese gathering among French speakers (unremarkable wine, exceptional cheese), when I heard an email alert on my phone.

The subject line made me smile.

Several weeks ago, I talked with a dear friend in dampened spirits. To cheer my friend up, I asked if there was anything I could do.

The answer: Share bittersweet chocolate.

It took me a while to find the right thing.

I tried the chocolate bars at Li-Lac in Grand Central Market, and the beautifully precise bonbons at Kee's in SoHo. I thought of the K bears at Diane Kron Chocolates in Beverly Hills, and the Dolfin bars I first found at Bittersweet in San Francisco, then again at Chocolatt in West Los Angeles and again at Chelsea Market Baskets in New York (the Earl Grey is especially good). But nothing seemed really suitable for my friend.

Then, by serendipitous coincidence, I met Madame Chocolat. Sophisticated, rich and peppery with an understated sweetness, I could imagine my friend swooning upon introduction.

I love it when I'm right.