Finally, a new business has opened on Dead Street, the east side of Bryant (number 539) between University and Hamilton, previously cut off from pedestrian traffic by the Walgreens fire and reconstruction. Monique’s Chocolates features exquisite little chocolate things, all hand made on the premises. They specialize in varieties of chocolate made from beans all harvested in one area, rather like single-vineyard winemaking. Among these locations are Colombia, Venezuela, and Madagascar (this one is totally serious chocolate). There is also a house blend. Most are dark chocolates, with cacao content (mostly in the 60s percent range) posted; there are also some milk chocolates. The pure chocolate itself is made by specialty producers in Switzerland, Belgium, and other places, and the cream is local and organic.

For drinks you will soon be able to choose from multiple varieties of hot chocolate, all made directly from just the chocolate, and some good coffee made with a locally-invented press method. I am listing Monique’s on the Restaurants page under “Coffee, Tea, Juice” and under “Chocolates,” a new category I just created (for Monique’s and Shokolaat). Oh, I forgot to mention the French s’mores. These irresistable cubes contain the marshmallow, chocolate, and graham cracker already mixed together. If part of your pleasure was the mess on your hands, you’re out of luck. If most of your pleasure was the flavor, you’re in luck.