There are quite a few small confectioners based in LA and one that I’ve visited (and reviewed) before is Boule. They have great ice cream (I love the banana) and sorbets as well as caramels, nougats and of course chocolates. Of all the things I’ve had there, the one that blew me away was the Pate de Fruit in Calamansi flavor.
Imagine my delight when one of my fellow bloggers, Joz, handed off this awesome hatbox from Boule courtesy of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The box contained quite a few treats, including some cookies, a package of chocolate covered almonds rolled in cocoa, a box of the Pate de Fruit (which I opened and devoured the Calamansi before offering the other pieces around to my husband and neighors) and a wee little purse/box with some caramels. There were also two small boxes (6 pieces each) of Truffles.
The chocolates themselves look more like coat buttons than confections, with stripes and splashes of color and in some cases edible irridescent dustings.
While I find that attractive in a pair of earrings or beads, I don’t really find it that enticing as chocolate. No matter, they were still tasty.
As much as I admire the flavor combinations in theory, they just didn’t thrill me in practice. Some were kind of muddy and most of all they didn’t have a big chocolate boost to them - the chocolate shells were more of a delivery device for the novelty of the colors and exotic names.
I’ll continue to vist Boule for a special treat, but I’m probably going to stick to the pate and perhaps a little dish of ice cream every now and then. I have to, the retail value on this little hat box? $85.00. If you’re looking to dazzle someone for Valentine’s Day, the hatboxes are certainly splashy looking, but make sure that everything in the assortment would be appealing, otherwise it’s a waste of money. Ordering a la carte may be the way to go to assure that whatever you pick out there is exactly what you want. (If you live in the Los Angeles area they do offer local delivery with more ordering options, and I’m sure if you call them they can help you pick out a real custom fit.)
As a whole gift, this one gets a 6 out of 10.
Related Candies
- Theo Confections
- Charles Chocolates
- Chuao Chocolatier
- Boule Chocolates and Fruit Pate
Oooooooo, Pate de Fruit… *drool* What is Calamansi flavor?
Sorry this was so disappointing. Everything sure is pretty though, isn’t it?
I agree… insane to pay $85 for this though!
You always do such an awesome job of reviewing…
Calamansi? Is that anything like Calamari?? :^o [just kidding]
Those are really pretty. I actually like chocolates that look pretty, lol. Guess I’m weird.
Sera - click through to the previous Boule review for the Calamansi description (a cross in flavor between lime and grapefruit).
Joz - I really wanted to like it more, especially since the packaging is so great and I love their ice cream & sorbet.
Tricia - they have soooo many different citrus fruits in the South Pacific ... it’s no wonder they’ve run out of unique sounding names!
Star - I’ve got nothing against pretty chocolate, but for some reason I don’t like ones that look like they’re wearing my eye shadow.
candys are sweet are there a jelly coming from rose(research)please help me find it send.
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