Speaking of Valentine's Day

Famed chocolatier Michael Recchiuti tells sweet tales at Chocolate Secrets

San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti was a trailblazer in the sea-saltcaramel trend.
Photo courtesy of Recchuiti Confections
Fleur de sel caramels are Recchiuti's top seller.
Photo courtesy of Recchiuti Confections
Michael Recchiuti and Sander Wolf at Chocolate Secrets in Dallas.
Photo by Teresa Gubbins

With Valentine's Day around the corner, chocolate is in the air. But chocolate was a more tangible thing on Monday at Chocolate Secrets, when legendary San Francisco chocolatier Michael Recchiuti sat down with Dallas' top chocolatiers to talk about their favorite subject.

Organized by DallasChocolate.org founder Sander Wolf, the event drew Chocolate Secrets' Kate Weiser; Stephen Smith of Nib Chocolates; Troy and Bliss Easton of Sublime Chocolates; Sue Williams of Dr. Sue's Chocolates; Zach Townsend of Pure Chocolate Desserts by Zach; Jeanine Stevens of Dallas By Chocolate tours; and cookbook author Rose Levy Beranbaum, who happened to be in town for a cooking class.

Recchiuti brought two of his favorite chocolates to sample: one with tarragon and candied grapefruit, and a cardamom nougat with chocolate nibs. He shared highlights from his career as a chocolatier and the evolution of his San Francisco store.

The big trend Recchiuti has noticed is a fondness for "big, clunky desserts" — the more decadent and sloppy, the better.

His two top-selling chocolates are his burnt caramel truffle and fleur de sel caramel. It was 1994 when he blazed the trail with salted caramels, a flavor combination that has been copied by millions and remains massively popular today. "I was inspired by chocolates in Brittany, and [the use of salt] was happening in France and Portugal," he said.

A former drummer, Recchiuti began his food journey when he trained with the ex-chef of the Shah of Iran. He worked as pastry chef at Twin Farms, a luxury resort in Vermont, where he met wealthy guests such as Bill Gates. When Recchiuti moved to San Francisco, he scored a contract to make customer gifts for Gates, and it helped launch his business. Bit by bit, he expanded his production facility in San Francisco to the 12,000-square-foot footprint it has today.

Because chocolate is such an intensely seasonal business, Recchiuti opened a cafe in 2012 to fill in the gaps between Valentine's Day and Christmas. Called Chocolate Lab, it has a full menu with sandwiches and savories, as well as a dessert list with 12 items.

The big trend he's noticed is a fondness for "big, clunky desserts" — the more decadent and sloppy, the better.

"Everybody wants s'mores, brownies, graham crackers," he said. "Whoopie pies, I became interested in the '80s when I was still living in Pennsylvania. I'd go to every Amish stand. I loved whoopie pies. The good ones had vegetable shortening and bad devil's food cake. I noticed that making sophisticated versions aren't as interesting to people. Everybody wants something simple and basic."

Whatever he makes, he stays true to the chocolate. "My goal as a chocolatier is to be able to taste the chocolate throughout the whole experience," he said.

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Star-spangled specials

All Dallas restaurants firing up specials for July 4th and America's 250th

Photo courtesy of Ford's Garage

Ford's Garage is getting patriotic for America's 250th.

Restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth are doubling down on their patriotism for the Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday, firing up limited-time deals and celebratory menus that range from elevated, reservation-only experiences and skyline dinners to casual fast-food specials, family meal packs, and grab-and-go treats designed for star-spangled celebrations. Special props to those that have found a way to work in "1776" and "250."

Here are the DFW spots offering patriotic specials and deals. (Note: This list will grow as more are announced closer to the holiday.) For a list of top 4th of July events and fireworks, go here.

Black Sheep Coffee is celebrating America's birthday over Fourth of July weekend with $4 matcha drinks from July 3-5. The special is good for small Iced Vanilla Matcha, Iced Blueberry Matcha, and Iced Strawberry & Cream Matcha drinks, with a $1 upgrade to a 16-ounce medium. The offer is available in-store and through the app at all four DFW locations.

Cantina Laredo is bringing back its patriotic USA 'Rita for the Fourth of July weekend. Available July 3-5 at the Addison and Frisco locations, the festive frozen cocktail puts a red, white, and blue spin on the restaurant's signature Casa 'Rita with layers of Blue Curaçao and strawberry purée.

USA 'Rita at Cantina LaredoPhoto courtesy of Cantina Laredo

El Chico is spicing up Independence Day weekend with Family Meal Packs available July 4-5 at its Rockwall location only (503 Interstate 30, Rockwall). Options include Family Fajitas ($73.99) with chicken, steak, or both; Family Tacos ($47.99) with 12 tacos and sides of rice and refried beans; and Family Enchiladas ($49.99) with a choice of beef, cheese, spinach, or chicken enchiladas, all serving six to eight people.

Ford’s Garage, the Plano burger and craft beer restaurant inspired by the heritage of the Ford Motor Company, is celebrating America's 250th with a patriotic meal deal available July 1-4: an American Standard Burger, fries, and select draft beers or a soft drink for for $17.76, in tribute to the nation's founding in 1776.

HTeaO tea shops are celebrating the Fourth of July with a pair of patriotic summer specials. Through Labor Day, the tea chain is serving a limited-time Blue Razzler Energy Refresher topped with vanilla cold foam and red, white, and blue sprinkles in a commemorative America's 250th cup. From July 1-4, participating locations will also offer three gallons of freshly brewed tea for $17.76, a nod to the year the United States declared its independence.

JD's Chippery is celebrating Independence Day with festive Fireworks Cookie Cakes, available in a variety of sizes and cookie flavors with hand-decorated patriotic designs. The bakery's Preston Royal location is also hosting a daily Cookie Happy Hour through July 31 from 5-7 pm, featuring a buy-one, get-one-free cookie deal.

JW Steakhouse at the JW Marriott Dallas is marking Independence Day with a four-course dinner for two on July 4. Priced at $195 per couple, the menu includes buffalo bison cigars and shrimp ceviche tostadas, a toasted farro salad with Fredericksburg peaches, a pepper-crusted tomahawk steak with charred cipollini onions and black garlic truffle purée, and chipotle chocolate cake with Garrison Brothers bourbon cherry sauce. Optional wine pairings are available for an additional charge.

Kessaku will offer a Fourth of July experience with limited window seating atop The National in downtown Dallas. Guests can reserve exclusive window tables with a $250 deposit, securing panoramic skyline and fireworks views from one of Dallas’ highest dining destinations.

Luckys Diner on Oak Lawn Avenue is celebrating Independence Day with a Stars, Strips & Sausage special available July 1-4. The $10.49 meal includes a grilled sausage plate with potato salad and pinto beans, with the option to add a slice of apple pie.

Monarch is marking Independence Day with Stars, Stripes & Skyline, a Fourth of July celebration atop The National on July 4. The experience features a prix-fixe dinner priced at $150 per person (with a $55 children’s menu), served from 5:30-10 pm, along with optional window seating for fireworks views. The menu will include dishes such as wagyu filet, wood-grilled branzino, hamachi crudo, hearth-grilled lamb ribs, and a shared s’mores dessert. Monarch is also offering a limited-time gift card promotion over the July 4 weekend: purchase a $250 gift card and receive a $50 bonus card for a future visit, available July 4-5.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a lineup of festive cakes and patriotic-themed desserts. Seasonal offerings include a patriotic decorated cake, Fireworks and Freedom Bundtini toppers, and the return of S’mores Made With Hershey's through July 19, featuring chocolate cake with milk chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham streusel. From July 3-5, Bundtastic Rewards members can earn 250 bonus points on any purchase as part of the holiday promotion.

Nothing Bundt Cakes are getting patriotic for the 4th.Photo courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes

Sonic is celebrating America's 250th with a limited-time America $2.50 Menu available through July 12. Participating locations are offering fan favorites for $2.50 each, including the returning Red, White & Blue Slush Float, Jr. Double Cheeseburger, All-American Hot Dog, and medium onion rings. The chain is also serving drinks in limited-edition commemorative cups.

The Statler in downtown Dallasis celebrating Independence Day and America’s 250th birthday on July 4 with all-day dining, drink specials, and rooftop festivities across its venues, including Overeasy, Scout, and Waterproof. Overeasy is offering breakfast specials like BBQ Brisket Benedict, Red, White & Blue Pancakes, and Firecracker Omelets from 7 am-2 pm. Later in the day, Scout and Waterproof will serve classic American fare such as burgers, ribs, and smoked sausage alongside themed cocktails like Uncle Sam’s Punch, Star Spangled Spritz, and The Patriot. The celebration culminates at Waterproof with a rooftop pool and fireworks watch party from 7 pm-1 am, featuring a $35 cover charge, live entertainment, and patriotic frozen treats and cocktails.

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