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Truffles and Tea
Truffles and Tea is the exclusive Maryland retailer of melt-in-your-mouth Neuchatel chocolates from Switzerland—gift these irresistible treats in hazelnut, dark, white and milk chocolate, milk champagne and dark champagne, and Grand Marnier, to name a few. The texture is like mousse, the flavor divine. Party favor assortments are available. The shop also carries Jill’s Jams in cranberry champagne and raspberry amaretto, loose teas by Serendipitea and gift-ready glass teapots.
Cross Keys 62 Village Square 410.532.8500
Glarus Chocolatier
Ben and Jennifer Hauser launched Glarus Chocolatier in 2004, after realizing they were both passionate about traditional Swiss chocolate-making techniques (all art, no auxiliary machinery). They married the following year. The couple’s handmade fresh-cream truffles, Swiss chocolate confections and other treats, like all-natural chocolate sauce, have earned raves. For the holidays, Jennifer recommends: the Balinese sea salt bar to satisfy your salty-sweet craving, the beautiful hand-painted (and hand-poured) chocolate Santa, peppermint truffles (dark chocolate ganache-filled truffles rolled in crushed peppermint) and eye-catching holiday bark layered with cranberries and lightly salted pistachios.
Harbor East: 644 S. Exeter St. 410.727.6601
In Timonium: 9 W. Aylesbury Road 410.252.6601
glaruschocolatier.com
A. Kirchmayr Chocolatier
German born Albert Kirchmayr opened his Euro-chocolate paradise, A. Kirchmayr Chocolatier, in 1988. Albert, who originally moved to Baltimore to work as a French chef, spends his days happily preparing special liqueur chocolates, marzipans, nutty masterpieces, truffles and simpler chocolates. He molds sweet holiday shapes: T-day turkeys, Santas, snowmen. “When you’re going to somebody’s house, bring soft-centered truffles,” Albert says. “For mom, an assortment with a caramel or coffee taste or one black currant, one bourbon…”
9630 Deereco Road 410.561.7705 fineeuropeanchocolate.com
Bonjour
Since 1998, Gayle Brier and her husband, partner and baker, Gerard Billebault, have run the beloved Bonjour bakery and café in Mount Washington. They serve French and artisan breads, breakfast sweets, ham and cheese croissants and quiche, not to mention devilishly decadent desserts. For holiday time, Gayle recommends: pumpkin or caramel cheesecake (French-style with heavenly heavy cream); the tarte au pomme, a baked shortbread shell filled with rich apple compote and assorted bordalouse, classic French tarts filled with almond cream and topped with fruit. Hello!
6070 Falls Road 410.372.0238 bonjourbakerycafe.com
Sweet Tea and Southern Treats
Need a scrumptious home-baked pie, but no time to burn? We highly recommend North Carolina native Ann Moore’s Sweet Tea and Southern Treats. Prompted by her daughter Ann Davis Moore, 12, Ann now sells her seasonal pies to-die-for—or at least break your diet for. Her own pie-creative mom handed down many recipes. Brownies and lemon loaves make great teacher or hostess gifts. Pies—sweet potato, pumpkin, Georgia pecan, chocolate bourbon pecan, Pauly’s Island chocolate and walnut—are perfect with a capital P for parties. Call or e-mail to order.
410.321.0860
sweetteaandsoutherntreats.com
Chocolatea
Chocolatea, the charming coffee and teahouse owned by Truffles and Tea proprietors Jonathan and Shaun Vong, is the spot to unwind after hectic holiday shopping. The star of the shop: Neuchatel hot chocolate, consisting of pure melted Swiss chocolate, milk and different fruits. Free trade organic teas pair well with a truffle. Also sample yummy sandwiches, soups, Asian tapas Thursday through Sunday, and brunch on the weekend.
3811 Canterbury Rd 410.366.0095 chocolateteacafe.com
Haute Cocoa
Haute Cocoa mother and daughter team Nancy Vennare and Staci Summers arrange gorgeous gift boxes, party favors and, for parties of 100 or more, their trademark haute bar, a generously bedecked chocolate buffet styled according to your party’s theme and color scheme. Guests score a cute Chinese-style container they can stock themselves. Use the “hauteline” to choose personal gifts of fresh homemade-to-order milk, white or dark chocolate, fudge, turtles, chocolate-covered Oreos, Canadian maple walnut clusters and even more!
443.927.7779 hautecocoa.net