I went to Portland last year and visited a friend. Before leaving, I had jokingly asked him and his wife if they wanted me to bring anything from New York City. I was thinking a Black and White cookie would be awesome but none of New York’s quintessential edible stuff would make the trip to Portland. When I actually got there, I felt like I still wanted to find something unusual to give them, and I saw Moonstruck Chocolates in a shop’s window.

I had never seen such adorable chocolates before. They had a wide assortment of animals as well as exotic truffles and other shapes. I ended up buying my friend some, myself some, and my mother some. I think I spent $80 on chocolate that day.

I took some photos in the hotel room as I ate my assortment, which included a chocolate turtle, a lemon-flavored clownfish, a a dark chocolate sheep, an adorable white kitty, an oyster with a pearl in it, and a cognac truffle topped with gold powder and an almond ‘crown’. This is not a great shot but it gives a clear view of all the chocolates, which were really gorgeous. Look at the fin on the fish and his stripes. The rounded tail on the cat. The swirls of color on the chocolate shell. The curly fluff on the sheep. Wonderful craftsmanship. Here is a video of how they make the clownfish.

Circle of chocolates

I’m much fonder of this shot. Here is the kitty peaking out of his chocolate box. Yes, he has a heart-shaped nose. I love Moonstruck’s attention to detail.

Chocolate kitty in a box of chocolates

This next photo may look familiar to you, as I recently did a short Portland post that featured this coffee art. The chocolate kitty was in the background, exploring the table, in that picture. This is another favorite of mine, because balancing on the edge of a coffee cup seems like such a cat-like thing to do. He is just perched there, bundled like he might take a nap.

Kitty on a coffee cup

I forget if this turtle’s shell tasted minty. I do recall the lemon clownfish was delightfully lemony, though! Alas, I was unimpressed by the gold truffle and the oyster in a pearl. It was beautiful, but the chocolate oyster had a weird, crackly texture that was realistic but not enjoyable. The gold-topped truffle was nothing exciting, I’m sorry to say.

Chocolate turtle

Despite not loving every piece of chocolate, I often give Moonstruck Chocolate as gifts because they’re just so unique (though pricey). This brings us to.. the giveaway!

Caramel truffles from Moonstruck Chocolate

These are truffles with liquid caramel centers, including pear, 3-caramel, coffee, and chile-flavors. I haven’t tried them yet but they look awesome, so I am giving a box away. All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite chocolate memory.

Since I am traveling in Denver right now, here’s another travel-related post. I went to Oregon last summer and stayed in Portland for a few days, mostly to try their famous coffee. I was generally underwhelmed with the flavor – it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t spectacular. However, the coffee shop vibe can’t be beat. This particular Peet’s let you bring your own mug and had 20+ exotic tea flavors that I would have loved to try if I only had more time.

Lou decided to branch out, so this lovely coffee leaf came from the now-closed Portland Coffee House on Alder St, a block from Peet’s. That sweet white kitty you see in the background is made of chocolate – but that’s another post.

My first coffee art

I love the rich hue left behind by our coffee in these cups.

Empty coffee cups

I think this was either a blueberry muffin or a raisin bran muffin. Knowing me, it was a raisin one because I am obsessed with raisins, but that black speck and smooth texture is pushing me towards blueberry. This muffin was extra large, as coffee shop items often are, and I  don’t recall it being either fantastic or terrible.

Bran muffin from Peet's