Romeo Chocolates

Just attended a wine & chocolate tasting (emphasis on the chocolate for once) he did at The Brass Lamp last night, which was *so* much fun. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect — I’ve done a wine & chocolate pairing tastings before, but with a focus on the wine, this was the first time the focus was on the chocolate. His chocolates are *so* good — I wouldn’t claim they’re the best chocolates I’ve ever had, because there’s a lot of competition, but they’re definitely *as* good as the best chocolates I’ve ever had, which makes me very happy, as the other «best chocolates I’ve ever had» were in New York, San Francisco and London, all of which are notably nowhere near Long Beach. I really hope he gets his storefront up and running soon, hopefully downtown! (Though it’d be somewhat dangerous on my wallet, as I know I’m going to be buying chocolates from him all the time if he set up shop nearby, and his chocolates are not exactly cheap. Mind, I’m not complaining — they’re exactly the price I’d expect given the quality, that price is just not cheap.)
What I loved about the tasting and about his chocolates, other than obviously that they’re amazingly good chocolates, is his *enthusiasm* for good chocolates. I’ve never heard someone talk about terroir with respect to chocolates before, but it totally makes sense — I really want to try all his upcoming single-​source chocolates from around the world now, in addition to seeing him hopefully experiment with more exotic bonbon flavors in the future (though the traditional ganache bonbons we tried were excellent enough. p. s. Romeo: speaking of wine and chocolate pairings, you should totally make a grenache ganache, just so you can sell a total tongue-​twister. :D)

I love Romeo’s story! The passion he has for the craft not only shows through the lengths taken to share the love but also in the quality of his product :) He was in the bay area for a weekend seminar and I got a taste of the 70% pistachio and sea salt. So good! What I love even more is his commitment to learn more and perfect his chocolate making. Can’t wait to be back in socal and taste all the other chocolates!

This is not a shop that’s open to the public. It’s a business being run out of an apartment. No response to a phone call. Wandered around for ten minutes before I found a local business that explained the situation.

«You deserve chocolate,» he said. Why yes I do! That little flag that encircled my chocolate — dangled ever so delicately around twine that read, «Be Mine.» This packaging is impeccable and I appreciate the details. The dark chocolate with hints of sea salt and ancho chili left me without words. I felt like I was transported elsewhere. These lovely chocolates found their way into my heart. Romeo, you make the best chocolates. You are truly talented!

Romeos Chocolate is nothing short of amazing. He makes turtles that are shaped like little turtles! Whether you are into that 70% cacao like dark chocolate flavor profile or the milky smooth chocolate of hazelnut ganache I am absolutely floored. Listening to Romeo talk about chocolate reminds me of the way a sommelier talks about wine or a master tobacco person talks about a cigar. His story of quitting his job as a college dean to move to Belgium and learn how to make chocolate and bring his delicious morsels back to California just adds to the clear passion and authenticity that I’ve never before seen in any type of chocolate I’ve had the chance of trying. Not only is Romeo a gift to the Long Beach community, he is a treasure for any person willing to take a risk and follow their dreams. I’m truly honored to be one of the first people to try his wonderful chocolates. I highly recommend!

Have had the opportunity to experience Romeo’s Chocolates and they are nothing short of AMAZING! I love those little chocolate turtles.

Wow this chocolate is amazing! What an experience! The dark chocolate peanut butter cups made with organic natural peanut butter are my favorite. Also LOVE the ancho chili and sea salt dark chocolate bar and the pistachio and dark cherry bark. Yum! There’s no place around the Los Angeles area that offers anything close to this quality. I wish they would open a shop because I would be there every day! However in the meantime there are a few shops around Long Beach that carry Romeo Chocolates. Can’t wait to buy some more. Highly recommend.