Bridgewater Chocolate

559 Federal Road, Brookfield, CT - (203) 775-2286

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Posted By Michael Stern on 1/9/2008 4:02:00 PM

We stumbled upon the Bridgewater Chocolate store the week before Valentine’s Day. The holiday was a perfect excuse for walking out with several pounds of candy, and we are so glad we did, for this candy turned out to be simply the best chocolate we have eaten anywhere, any time.

It was apparent we were in for a treat the moment we set foot inside the shop, which is located in the most unlikely place – an industrial park near a tile warehouse and a gym. But the air inside is chocoholic heaven, with an aroma that is intense but not cloying, like vaporous cocoa laced with the sweetness of fruit. The store area is fairly small, decorated with trophies won by chocolatier Erik Landegren and arrangements of the beautiful hinged boxes in which Bridgewater packs its goodies. Beyond the display area is a glass window that provides a view into the chocolate-making area, where men and women produce truffles, mints, chocolate bark and chocolate bars, glazed ginger, apricot, and orange peel, and diabolically delicious chocolate turtles. The turtles are made with pecans or almonds suspended in a firm caramel and enrobed in a “shell” of creamy, dark chocolate.

The repertoire of temptations also includes chocolate covered Graham crackers that are nothing like the ones you find in supermarkets. These are spread with a microthin layer of lemon cream then coated with dark chocolate, or lime cream then milk chocolate.

Unfortunately for our waistlines, Bridgewater chocolate is just miles from our house; and unfortunately for yours, the aphrodisiacal sweets are available by mail order via 800-888-8742.

Scorecard

Overall: Legendary - Worth driving from anyplace

Chocolate-Glazed Crystallized Ginger	Coconut Igloo
Chocolate-Covered Orange Peel	Chocolate Turtles
Bridgewater Truffles

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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

"A February special, these dark-on-top-of-milk chocolate hearts are filled with the profoundly delicious flavor of wild Italian cherries."
Michael Stern

"Words are inadequate to convey the perfection of these oh-so-edible terrapins."
Michael Stern

"Intense dark chocolate and creamy-rich coconut are, in my book, an unbeatable combination. Here they are in a coconut igloo, married perfectly."
Michael Stern

"What's amazing about these chocolate-covered orange peels is that their sweetness is as much from the fruit inside as the chocolate outside."
Michael Stern

"Chocolate is a food of love. Two days before Valentine's Day, Bridgewater's retail sales area is decorated with hearts and heart-shaped balloons."
Michael Stern

"The world-class chocolates have packaging that suits them: beautiful, sturdy boxes (keepers!) bound in ribbons of gilt."
Michael Stern

"Behind this stark brick wall is where elegant Bridgewater chocolates are made. Here too is the small retail space in which they are sold."
Michael Stern

"Located in Bridgewater, from which Bridgewater Chocolates got its name, the Village Store also has ice cream and makes hot and cold sandwiches."
Michael Stern