Antoine Amrani Chocolates Giveaway
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I sometimes judge a book by its cover.
When I caught sight of Antoine Amrani’s beautifully designed (not to mention carbon neutral, manufactured from wind energy, and made with 100% recycled material) boxes of chocolates, I was smitten by the modern, fun, and feminine sensibility of the chartreuse curlicues and espresso brown packaging. And, don’t even get me started on that vibrant, boho-chic, limited edition Valentine sleeve. Squeal! Had I fallen into a fabulous alternate universe where fine chocolate-meets-Anthropologie?
Judging from the elegant embossed logo on the cover, to the subtle reminder printed on the side that inside, a “superlative chocolate experience” awaited, it seemed that the contents had much to live up to.
Somewhat dubiously, I tasted one of the jewel-like bon bons inside, and with great pleasure, noted, this is no superficial fluke. Inside and out, Antoine Amrani Chocolates are a masterpiece.
The flavors are sophisticated, intriguing, and sexy (perhaps, not unlike the recipient they’re meant for).
Signature flavors include the Coffee Sour Cherry, lacquered deep red and dotted like a ladybug. Bite through the surprisingly thin shell of chocolate and a silky coffee ganache envelopes melts on your tongue…bite further in, and you’re met with the bright fruitiness of a Grand Marnier-soaked sour cherry at the center. The flavor combo here is pleasingly unexpected.
The Organic Coconut Kaffir Lime is like a grown up Mounds, with fresh coconut puree perfumed with kaffir lime, and enrobed in 70% dark chocolate.
Of the palets, the Earl Grey stood out with its delicate flavor of tea infused with pure bergamot. Pretty.
Today’s prize, the Chocolate Lovers Tower, not only highlight all of Antoine’s signature flavors, they also include a special Valentine Lovers Box of shimmery red and pink hearts filled with a liquid salted caramel and raspberry ganache, and swirly palets of classic dark chocolate ganache.
Amrani trained at the Ritz Escoffier in Paris, continued honing his culinary skills under master chocolatiers throughout Europe, and most recently, was the Executive Pastry Chef at Georges Perrier’s renowned 5-star, Le Bec Fin, in Philadelphia. See him do his thing at his chocolate factory in East Norriton, PA – classes and tours are available.
“I want people to return to the beauty and enjoyment of life’s small pleasures.” — Antoine Amrani
To win this Chocolate Lovers Tower…
Simply leave a comment here telling me: What is your small pleasure in life?
Giveaway deadline is tomorrow night, Thursday 2/11, when the clock strikes midnight (PST). ***This one’s a quickie, lovers, so hurry hurry! Don’t miss out. Winner will be announced on Friday 2/12.
Disclosure: This giveaway was made possible via free sample and giveaway donation by Antoine Amrani Chocolates.
Update: Congrats to Anna, winner of Lick My Spoon’s Antoine Amrani Chocolates Giveaway!
Related posts:
Standing at the kitchen counter, before the baby’s awake, in my LLBean slippers and tasting that first sip of french pressed coffee.
Since this is chocolate based, the other night I had a crostini with slightly melted dark chocolate and blue cheese on it to go with a Bison Chocolate Stout. It was nice.
My simple pleasure is waking up to a hot cup of coffee. My favorite beans are from a small roaster in Forestville, Ca called Sunshine.
Comestibles: frozen blueberries mixed with frozen dark chocolate chips.
Non-comestibles: running through the woods with my dog, off leash (the dog, not me).
Good food, good friends and good wine.
Mario’s sounds good too…
One of my small simple pleasure is melted cheeeeeeeeeesssse especially with a hot toasted baguette. but overall anything foooddd…
my 1 year old’s smile every morning when i open his door. it takes my breath away each and every day!
Ha! “chocolate-meets-Anthropologie” Well said. This post literally made me drool.
I have tried Amrani’s chocolates and agree that this small package holds endless small pleasures! Also, a simple pleasure of mine is spending time with my boyfriend. We both have demanding work lives, so when we have time to spend, it is purely priceless. He is a huge fan of chocolate too.
Receiving a cup of tea, from my husband, twice a day, without asking. I never take it for granted, how he pays attention……..ahhhhh
Love the blog. Descriptions and comments are perfect and I’m pretty sure I am beginning to taste it. On my blog I’ve just started commenting bread and butter..yes i know! but very informational check it out if you get the chance http://dupainetbutter.blogspot.com/
Lady Panera
Simple pleasures: sleeping in, brunch with friends, homemade marshmallows (not as simple as the other two)
Melting a slice of whatever kind of cheese I have in the refrigerator (most recently, goat gouda) on whatever kind of crackers I have in the pantry. I do this in the (horror) microwave. Also, my husband heating up my microwaveable slippers every night before we get in bed–so that I’m not sticking my cold feet on him
.
A latte and a good book by the fireplace. *sigh*
My small pleasure in life is a cut of hot tea and a piece of good chocolate.
My small pleasure is the smell of fresh bread baking in the oven, especially challah, after all the waiting that was previously endured.
Having my doggy come and snuggle up next to me during this record snowstorm.
My small pleasure in life is dessert
Coffee in the morning. Love it.
One of my small pleasures is going through the mail! It’s nice to get home from work, take off my shoes, and look at catalogs, letters, magazines, coupons, and the like. Weird, huh?
My simple pleasure is using pretty glass container instead of tupperware to store leftovers. They make last night’s dinner look appetizing. And I don’t have to worry about microwaving food in plastic.
My guilty pleasure is sour patch kids. Sour on the outside, sweet on the inside! So yummy and once I start I can’t stop!
My small pleasure in life is mixing a little Kahlua in some milk when I’m snowed in
Great coffee, great chocolate, great music, great company.
My simple (guilty) pleasure is making sure I’m extra early in the carpool line at my son’s school, prepared with a book to read & a little nibble of chocolate. A few minutes of peace & quiet. Lovely.
it’s a toss up between the smell of morning coffee or the smell of my Aveda Shampure shampoo and conditioner. As hard as it is to belive I only buy that shampoo just for the scent.
a nice strong cup of coffee thanks
ohhh my simple pleasure would be spending a day window shopping with my Mum!
my little sister’s sweaty hand in mine as she looks up at me and reminds me that she’s moving in with me when she becomes a fashion designer. i guess my guilty peasure is dreams too big for small people like her and I.
A warm bubble bath with scented candles light to make the room smell fabulous
Actually my small pleasure is chocolate! I love to take a moment and savor a piece each day! It takes great self control not to scarf the whole box!
My small pleasure in life is a hot bath and a good book.
My small pleasure is driving on the freeway with my music blaring and singin’ my lungs out!
A hot cup of coffee while reading the Sunday paper in the sunshine. Getting up before the rest of the world and seeing it come to life. When my adorable nephews tucker out enough that I can corral them into snuggling on the couch. Seeing the ocean, every time. Freshly pedicured toes. And darn good chocolates
Great question!
My small pleasure is the extra 30 minutes I get to sleep after my husband gets up. The dog hops into bed with me and curls up against my side.
My small pleasure in life is a slow-sipped cup of coffee on a lazy morning…preferrably in the sun on a porch or stoop
Chocolate gives me the simple pleasures I so need….I have just finished my last round of Chemo…my friends thought I would be drinking ensure(can you imagine) I got through with my chocolate! Chocolate makes life fun it’s a treat to enjoy and that we enjoy in all our walks of life.
Those are gorgeous chocolates! I enjoy sipping tea in the evening, having time all to myself right after my daughter goes to bed
My guilty pleasure is sparkling water, I know it’s a waste of money to be buying water, but I love sipping bubbly water with a squeeze of lime.
Licking the bowl and spatula after mixing brownies
My simple pleasure is watching a good movie at home with good food in my pajamas!
Having my 3 year old say “I hate naps…stay home with me and relax” right before I head out to the gym for mommy time
My small pleasure is cuddling up in bed on a cold afternoon with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate.
I just love to sit quietly with my cat, while I drink a cup of tea.
Wow, those chocolates are almost too beautiful to eat.
Almost. My favorite small pleasure.. playing with my four cats. They are so cute and goofy.
simple pleasure = DARK CHOCOLATE!!! And with my dog, Candy, curled up at my feet~
My simple pleasure is watching the stars out the window at night before i go to sleep.
Simple pleasure – sleeping late in the morning.
reading.. I just love to read.