The Glory of Chocolate: Guilty Pleasures Again

By JimSullivanInk.com
Saturday, 10 January 2009

A while ago, we were channel surfing late at night and caught one of those condensed "Saturday Night Live" re-runs. This one featured the skit where four diners were enjoying a tasty chocolate treat at a restaurant. As the skit progressed, the diners kept topping each other regarding just how delicious it was. It was both a poke at chocoholics and an ode to the love of the dessert. We can relate. If you can, you'll be heartened to know that the One & Only Boston Chocolate Tour returns to satisfy New England's collective sweet tooth every Saturday through April 25.

The fully-narrated, three-hour journey of decadent desserts and fun facts features tasty visits to Top of the Hub Restaurant, the historic Omni Parker House Hotel and The Langham Hotel Boston. Presented by Old Town Trolley Tours of Boston,The tour's first stop is 52 floors above Boston at award-winning Top Of The Hub where guests will enjoy a sumptuous Chocolate Surprise served against a panoramic view of the city. The Chocolate Surprise will be a different creation each week, created by Executive Pastry Chef Tommy Choi.

An authentic taste of Boston follows at the historic Omni Parker House Hotel with a unique presentation of Boston Creme Pie from Executive Pastry Chef Gerry Tice. As this timeless dessert was invented in the kitchen of the renowned Omni Parker House, no one prepares this singular sensation quite the way they do.

The grand finish of the delectable tour is provided by The Langham Hotel Boston's exceptional Chocolate Bar Buffet, with Executive Pastry Chef Alex Luna showcasing more than 125 enticing, all-you-can-eat, whipped, frozen, sculpted and baked chocolate delicacies. As the trolley travels from location to location, Chocolate Tour Conductors will share mouth-watering chocolate-related trivia, including tid-bits such as: Chocolate was originally a luxury of the wealthy. Boston apothecaries began to sell chocolate in the mid 1700’s based on a belief that it was beneficial to one's health. The country's first chocolate factory was located in Dorchester, MA. Tollhouse Cookies were invented by Ruth Wakefield at Whitman's Tollhouse Restaurant. The chocolate used in making Oreo's is manufactured in Mansfield, MA. Halloween generates the greatest sale of chocolate each year, followed by Easter, Christmas–Hanukkah–New Year's, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Hershey produces more than 33 million chocolate kisses every day. The process known as dutching darkens chocolate, which contrary to popular belief, gives the chocolate a milder flavor.