Attention all chocolate lovers, there's a new place in town to indulge your sweet tooth. Chocolatier Jenn Stone has opened a second location of her wildly successful chocolate boutique, JS Bonbons.

Located in the heart of bustling Queen Street West, the new shop is nestled amongst the shabby-chic furniture stores, hip fashion boutiques and trendy bars and restaurants that give this up and coming neighbourhood its cool bohemian vibe.

While the original Dupont Street location remains abuzz with a constantly busy kitchen, hugely popular nightly chocolate classes and the comings and goings of devoted customers stocking up on favourites or placing corporate orders, the new store feels much more like an old-fashioned confectionery. A large front window, pressed tin ceiling and antique display case invite passers-by to drop in and indulge their passion for premium quality chocolate.

All of Jenn's signature truffles, for which she has become famous, can be found lining the shelves - sea salted caramel, earl gray tea, coriander and lime and our favourite, Gianduja (creamy milk chocolate and hazelnut). All these goodies usually sell out by the end of the day. Prices range from $3.75 for a personal sized box of 2 all the way up to a 35 piece box for $41.50. For a show-stopping centerpiece or hostess gift, Jenn also sells her bonbons in her one-of-a-kind chocolate bowls that start at $11.50 for a small filled bowl, $49.50 for medium and $190.95 for a large chocolate bowl filled with a minimum of 140 bonbons. Along with bonbons, she specializes in fantastic barks, spiced hot chocolate mix, chocolate covered toffees, pineapple, ginger and apricots, as well as seasonal and holiday specialties too numerous to mention.

One of Jenn's favourite new products is her gorgeous chocolate tiles. The decorated squares come in several combinations and patterns of dark, milk and white chocolate and look almost like edible coasters. "They are great for baking, eating or just displaying," says Jenn.

A unique feature to the new Queen Street location is their hot chocolate bar. The hot chocolate menu is based on their top-selling truffle flavours - Chocolate Chai, Lavender, Bittersweet, Lemon Thyme, Salted Caramel and Gianduja. Made with pure ganache - the same base they use to make their truffles, steamed milk and whipped cream, this is not your run-of-the-mill hot chocolate. At $3.50 for a small cup and just $3.95 for a large cup, everyone who has tasted this creamy concoction has fallen in love with it.

And don't think that just neighbourhood regulars are enjoying what JS Bonbons has to offer. One weekday morning, we met Christine and Cheryl from Burlington and Oakville respectively. Christine was treating her friend Cheryl to a sinful cup of hot chocolate for her 50th Birthday. "I read about this place in the newspaper and I knew that my friend Cheryl, a confirmed chocoholic, would love it. So we drove in, and boy was it worth it."

Recipe: js bonbons Orange Ginger Pistachio Bark

This recipe for orange, ginger and pistachio bark has bite! Fast and easy to make, it's perfect for spring entertaining.

Ingredients:

500g dark, milk or white chocolate
3/4 cup candied orange peel (diced)
3/4 cup chocolate covered candied ginger (diced)
1/2 cup whole shelled pistachios

Directions:

Melt chocolate in stainless steel bowl over water bath. Temper.

Add pistachios, orange peel and ginger. Combine.

Pour on sheet of wax or parchment paper. Spread evenly with offset palette knife.

Let set, then cut with French knife or cookie cutters.

Store at room temperature in an air-tight container.

JS Bonbons

811 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario
416.703.7731

163 Dupont Street
Toronto, Ontario
416.920.0274

www.jsbonbons.com