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‘Le CHOCOCOLADA’Ooh La-La!By RoseMarie LaCoursiere"Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what
you're gonna get."
I surprised my lover with a captivating weekend, escaping to the snow-kissed Laurentians, Le Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant. This surprise escape was a gift of pleasures for my lover. It was my way of replacing stolen time from our hectic schedules…a time to lose ourselves in each other. I was worried ski conditions may not be favorable. I smiled broadly as we drove from Montreal’s International airport to Tremblant in a snowstorm! Perfect for two Floridians who needed to experience a sense of adventurous fun without crossing the Atlantic. Mother Nature was doing her part; I just knew that this was going to be a memorable retreat. After a day of challenging ski runs we warmed our bones with a very private “tête-à-tête” dinner. The Mâitre d’ smiled and nodded as he acknowledged passion between us enjoying our last sips of my favorite bottle of Pouilly Fuissé, a delicious Burgundy from the villages in the Mâconnais. Just as I was thinking of how spectacular our day had been, the Mâitre d’ leaned in and suggested we allow Chez Borivage’s Chef Jean-Luc de la Bruyère prepare his lover’s dessert. We approved with raised brows and stunned smiles. He added ‘…this dessert would be brought to your suite’. Other guests invited us to join them in a game of poker by the massive thirty-nine foot fieldstone fireplace adjacent to the secluded restaurant, tables dressed in crisp white linens, candles glowing with a rich ambiance. A fire burned and waited for us in our lakeside suite, we had no intention of sharing our evenings with anyone. The thought of feeding each other a rich, exquisite Chococolada fireside in the lap of sweet privacy had me fighting the Pouilly Fuissé now rushing to my head as I giggled with delight. “Yes! Yes! Mon Chèr Mâitre”, I exclaimed in my best French – “Please tell Chef de la Bruyère we would be honored to accept such an exquisite treat from his kitchen”…with the anticipation running through our veins, the short walk to our suite felt like a mile. Minutes later Chef de la Bruyère himself entered our suite to serve us his lovers’ dessert. “Voila! Le Chococolada!” said Chef de la Bruyère in a rich Québecois accent. Le Chococolada is a dessert and “un digestif” served together in a zombie glass. A combination of Captain Morgan rum, cream, pineapple juice, and yes…some creamy chocolate syrup with chocolate shavings and diced pineapple mixed into this lover’s delight. Our glass was dressed with a biscuit based chocolate hat. We gasped as we used our spoons to break through the chocolate hat and marveled at the heavenly taste of this unique chocolate cocktail-dessert. This was not another ‘box of chocolate’ moment; it was our moment and time stood still. For the next two nights we let Chef de la Bruyère prepare a surprise dessert from his collection of ‘recettes de chocolats’. Only he can turn an ordinary piece of chocolate into an extraordinary ‘chocolate moment’ with flavors that heat the passions deep within your soul. I recently read in a men’s publication that the sensuality of food contains morsels of truth. On our final day at the lodge, I asked Chef de la Bruyère to show me how he makes Le Chococolada to bring this memory back to Florida…(See the simplified recipe below compliments of Chef de la Bruyère). With Cupid above taking aim, playing matchmaker of hearts and souls, may you celebrate pure love this month. This Valentine’s Day, let go of the pressures to find the perfect gift, plan a spectacular escape for two to a secluded mountain resort that will serve you a lovers dessert, fireside in your very own suite. I highly recommend Chez Borivage’s ‘Le Chococolada’ and wish you the very best in life and love.
Chococolada Recipe: If You Go Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant is a vacationing paradise retreat. Hotel-apartments feature country décor. Suites feature fireplaces, large decks and kitchens. After a long day out on the mountain, Jean-Luc de la Bruyère is the young chef who will satisfy your appetite with delicious, generous portions of gourmet dining. Mont Tremblant is a 90-minute drive from Montreal. Take Highways 15 and 117 north to St. Jovite and turn right on Route 327. Le Grand Lodge Mont Tremblant: 2396 Labelle St., Mont Tremblant, 1-(800) 567-6763, www.legrandlodge.com . Spa information at Helene Mouton Massotherapie: 1-(866)-766-8866, www.tremblantspa.ca Price: Depending on availability, based on a one-night stay, on weekends, $180 for two people in a basic hotel room with two queen beds; $240 to $310 for two people in a one-bedroom suite with kitchen; or $360 to $400 for four in a two-bedroom suite. Children 17 and younger stay for free and those 5 and younger do not pay for meals. Prices include access to indoor pool, spa, skating rink and other facilities. Breakfast buffet with omelet station costs $15 for adults or $8 for children 6 to 12. Breakfast and dinner meal package costs $56.50 per person per day. Mont Tremblant Ski & Snowboard Information: 1(888) 738.1777, (514) 876.7273 www.tremblant.ca Domaine St. Bernard/Ski de Fond Mont Tremblant: A cross-country ski centre with 65 kilometers of trails, $12 for adults, free for children under 16. Details: (819) 425-5588. |
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Women have
always had a fascination with all things chocolate. When news broke that
chocolate was an “antioxidant” it kissed a smile on the lips of women around the
world. Men could live without it yet they find themselves exploring the
exquisite sweets at the finer chocolatiers come Cupid’s month as they look to
please their lover. As Valentine Day nears, chances are whether you wear heels
or a tie, you are looking for a way to express your love. May I suggest
surprising your lover and your own sweet self by spicing up some quality time?
Or should I suggest sweetening your rendez-vous time with spontaneity?
