Purveyors of Sweetness: Lolli & Pops
This past year, my roommate got me hooked on the idea of a chocolate bar. Seems simple, like the Hershey Chocolate bars you would see before buying your groceries or the chocolate bar from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory right? It's not quite that plain anymore. I was soon introduced to the elevated chocolate bar, a dessert trend that has taken over the world. Not only were these chocolate bars sold in shops, people were also making them at home. My roommate herself melted dark chocolate and added her own selection of flavors ranging from dried cranberries to almonds.
For her graduation, I knew that I had to get her some chocolate, but from where? In the French Market on Clinton St, I found Lolli & Pops. There, I found a wide selection of chocolate bars and chose the flavors strawberry champagne, dark espresso, and brownie cake. Of course, being the kind roommate she is, she shared them with me. As we sat on the kitchen floor, we were both amazed at the richness of the chocolate. Each bar had a different texture depending on the flavor and you could taste the accented notes against the chocolate as well. My personal favorite was the dark espresso. The taste of coffee was not overwhelming and just added a layer of deep intensity that fit the dark chocolate base perfectly.
Lolli & Pops doesn't just focus on chocolate. They specialize in a range of classic sweets to international candies. Many of their stores are designed as old candy stores, so when you walk in, you're transported to the past. Some locations, like the one in Glendale, CA, also sell ice cream sundaes and floats! If you're unable to physically go to a store, they also have a website. They're also able to send gift boxes around the country, so if you're looking to give someone a sweet gift, this is the perfect place to start!
