I wanted to share a new review that was in the September 25, 2008 issue of The Columbus Dispatch newspaper. Jon Christensen, the expert culinary reviewer for the newspaper had the following comments about my New Albany Store:

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“In New Albany, The Chocolate Octopus offers ice cream, milkshakes, sodas and, of course, chocolates in the atmosphere of an old-time ice cream store.

The house-made chocolates are the highlights.

In contrast to the trend of extreme finishes in individual pieces, most of these offerings are straightforward: visible layers, square shapes, no contrived decorations. Owner Bernie Bornstein avoids the preservatives and wax coatings that many of the better chocolate companies use, as he says to ‘maintain shelf life and stability.’

Bornstein obtains almost all of his chocolate from a Swiss supplier whose milk chocolate is less sweet than average and whose white chocolate contains cocoa butter. Perhaps the distinguishing mark of Chocolate Octopus candy is the staff’s willingness to mix dark, milk and white chocolates. Candy squares are in layers—chocolate top and bottom, with a filling in between.

The idea creates interesting contrasts, with the rich vanilla and cocoa-butter notes of white chocolate, for example, bringing out the earthy, taste-forward aspects of a dark layer when the two are combined.

The flavors are well defined—particularly important when more than one type of chocolate is used. The fillings have been top-quality. The beneficiaries of the approach include virtually any chocolate with butterscotch or caramel filling.

In addition to the squares, the Chocolate Octopus makes nicely decorated round chocolates with intensely flavored interiors—typically thick, dark chocolate. One of the most appealing is enrobed with white chocolate.”

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I appreciate Jon Christensen’s kind comments. It always feels great to get complements from industry experts. I am very proud of our chocolates and hope that you also enjoy their rich savory decadence.