Very awesome, greeted us right when we came in, and let us have a tour of their chocolate kitchen. Great atmosphere, and AMAZING chocolate. Strongly recommend. read more

Tschudin Chocolates - "Frozen Treats" - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

High quality chocolatier, doing his own thing Came here initially on a whim, seeing the owner walking outside with the big white hat and chef whites. We were greeted with a mostly empty display with lots of stuff everywhere. We did manage to get a small group of treats at a fairly high price point, but the attention to detail and quality of the chocolates produced were at levels typically not seen in Connecticut or even around the US. Ever since that first meeting, we try to make the trek here to get a few delectable treats to savor once in a while. The owner is very relaxed and uses his place as a ramshackle display of personality and skill. It's not prim and polished, but there's a few pieces usually on display, a subtle sweet smell in the air, and many interesting flavors and fillings of truffles dotting the display cases. Like a master tailor, this place is known by those who know. They look past the grit and enjoy the true gem. It's really good chocolate, pricy but worth it, and worth a trek. read more

Tschudin Chocolates - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

I absolutely love this little intimate shop with all the different explosive flavors. The chocolatier surely perfected his craft in making delectable and artsy pieces. We time we opted in for the 12 piece pack, instead of the 6 to try a variety of different flavors. My favorite is the Knights of Tasmania, which is milk chocolate with hints of heat/pepper. My other favorite is First and Last. It is a tomato, flavored chocolate, but don't let the combination fool you. It is a very smooth and creamy chocolate. There is no way to describe it except you must try it. It is VERY good! The prices are a little expensive, but what do you expect for good chocolatier craftsmanship and good chocolates? This is not your average go to the corner store and purchase a box of chocolate. The time taken and the effort put into these chocolates is worth the money! The flavors are simply mind blowing, and nothing that you would normally put together and some of the more unique flavors read more

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Stopped in here while I was shopping downtown. Prices are on the high end but chocolate is tasty! There are a bunch of unique flavors like sun-dried tomato, and a hot and spicy one, but the chocolate makes everything very smooth and decadent read more

Tschudin Chocolates - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Incredible!! Contacted Roberto for a private tour/ chocolate making lesson for my German exchange students. He was so accommodating. Showed us his whole operation and we got hands on experience making, decorating and TASTING tons of delicious chocolate creations. He is so well versed in the science and relays it with such passion! We had an amazing time and left stuffed and with goodies for the road. His creations are artistic, flavorful and highest quality. You just HAVE TO TRY the hot chocolate and some of the very wild flavors of truffles and bonbons. If you're looking for a fun experience - give Roberto a call! read more

Tschudin Chocolates - So much fun - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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Stopped here a little bit before they were about to close. The cases still had plenty of yummy options. It's a tiny shop but it's super cute. They have some unique flavors to try like an earl gray tea truffle-- my husband hated it but l thought it was lovely (if you like tea, you'd like it!) My daughters chose some cute lollipops that were hand painted and so pretty. I opted for a milk chocolate bar so I could get a good feel for the chocolate quality. I'm a sucker for good chocolate--my favorite is Sees or Munsons but this little shop is on par with those chains. Definitely worth a stop if you're looking for a yummy treat. Love that they are open later! read more

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He is a great chef even beyond chocolates! Hos chocolates are top notch from this Swiss maker. I know. I've been ordering from him for our parties for years now. No-one complains while their eyes roll to the back of their heads in sheer joy! On Easter he's our go-to guy! read more

We walked up to Tschudin and the door was locked, so we planned to go to the next place. Not so fast, the owner had just pulled up in his car, and said he'd unlock the door for us. Awesome! We walked in with him, as he turned on the lights and chocolate, he started explaining the chocolates to us. He took the time to ask about allergens and walk us through each chocolate. We picked 6 chocolates and he wrapped them in a beautiful box. Now, these chocolates are a little pricier than you're expecting, but they're amazing. They're really gorgeous works of art with daring flavors. My favorite was the garam masala. Wow! Definitely a place to visit in Middletown! read more

Tschudin Chocolates - a box of chocolates - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Wow!! I love high quality chocolate, which you can't find a lot of in CT. This chocolatier is delightful - both in his demeanor and his creations. We found this little gem while meandering downtown Middletown and out front sat this gentleman with a tall white hat. We had to take a peek. While at first we were taken back by the price points ($22 for 6 Truffles) we are always willing to help small businesses and take a chance. His award winning truffles are intriguing with the use of middle eastern spices and offer such depth in flavor. These truffles you truly savor as they melt in your mouth. Not something you munch on half hazardously. While I will return and these chocolates are a great treat or gift - the price point does make one hesitate for a weekly expenditure. read more

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Fabulous confections , creative delicious chocolate flavor profiles and Robs irresistible charm How could you go wrong Spectacular!! read more

Tschudin's is a small spot with some very unique flavors. They do have some of the standard truffles and chocolates such as chocolate covered caramels and chocolate covered strawberries and orange peels. My recommendation of this place would be more for the adventurous with a sweet tooth though. One of the truffles I got in the last box was a garam masala chocolate. It was pretty good, but also very beautiful. It was a lovely shiny red color speckled with gold. Another one in the box was a Chai truffle. These were amongst others filled with rum, salted caramel, blueberry, and more. I have to correct this because reading back it makes it seem like we did not love any of them, which is incorrect! There were plenty that were just pure, heavenly delight. But we did not love every single creative combination I picked out. Those ones we still just liked and it was added fun to do the tasting together to see if we could pick out the distinct flavors. The chocolates are a bit more than you would normally pay for a Lindt or Munson's truffle, but worth it for your favorite foodie chocoholic who is celebrating something special. read more

In my opinion, way over priced mediocre chocolates. None of the chocolates behind the counter have name/ price labels - so you have no idea what you're about to get whacked for until he rings you up! I got three small molded dark chocolates with no exotic flavorings or fillings that were the save size you get in a chocolate sampler box and it came to $11... seriously, i've had better organic / fair trade generous sized dark chocolate bars from WFoods that cost a third or less of what this guy is peddling. Apparently Main St. Middletown is the high rent district! read more

If you are satisfied with a grainy Cadbury or Hershey bar you will think that this chocolate is overpriced. This chocolate is for the discerning palate and the excellent ingredients are reflected in the price. This is quality plain and simple. You get what you pay for. The chocolate is properly tempered, doesn't contain wax and the fillings flavorful. We sampled the peanut butter truffles, the coffee truffles and the dark chocolate toffee all were outstanding. I can't wait to try the marzipan. This chocolate is a real treat. read more

What a unique treat! Tschudin Chocolates is right on Main St next to Amicis. It's not obvious to find but we had the advantage of catching Rob outside - his baker's hat gave it away! :) Rob escorted my mom and I inside and explained all the chocolates. It would have probably been easier to label with descriptions, but this was more personal. He seems like a great guy who takes pride in his work. And for good reason. The chocolate is goooood. There's a few seats inside but we opted for an outdoor table to enjoy the weather. The thing that sets Tschudin aside from other chocolate shops in Connecticut is the fun and unique selection. It's a blend of creativity and decadence. I haven't seen such a variety in a while: stuff I've never seen anywhere else. For the tea lover try Dukes of Earl. For the chocolate bar lovers try Chunky. For the bourbon folks you must try Cannonball followed by a Cherry Cordial truffle -- together it tastes like an old fashioned! Definitely worth the trip just for this place. But be sure to catch some dinner at one of the great Middletown restaurants after you grab a chocolate at Tschudin. Life is short--Dessert first! read more

Tschudin Chocolates - Chunky, Dukes of Earl, Cherry Cordial, Cannonball?? I actually can't remember the name but it was bourbon. - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

Artisan chocolate. Very unique flavor combinations. Nights in Tunisia and the Garam Masala are my top favorites. Almost too pretty to eat.

Leave your career to open a chocolate shop? You would have to be crazy, right?! That's what the owner of this store did. If you ask me, he made a great decision! I don't know what I would do without my little fix. I've been here a handful of times, over the last couple of years. Each time, I was greeted with a smile and friendly conversation. These chocolates are not your standard candy store variety. You won't find packaged "brand name" candy here. Here, you will introduce your tastebuds to a chocolate like no other. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Tell the owner what your likes and dislikes are. He will gladly assemble the perfect assortment, from his hand-made artisanal chocolates for you. I've had the pleasure of presenting a few of these assortments as gifts to friends. I was told on more than one occasion, that it was the best chocolate that they had ever had. I have never been disappointed with my purchases at Tschudin. But, when has chocolate ever let anyone down? read more

We stopped in here once on a whim as we happened to be in Middletown. The owner is SO friendly and the chocolates are SO good that we went back several more times - even though it is a 30 minute drive out for us! In fact, the chocolates were so delicious, I ended up ordering them as the favors for my wedding last summer. The flavors are so different and each chocolate is so beautifully designed. Everyone at my wedding loved them and ordering was a breeze!! HIGHLY recommend! read more

Tschudin's is always on my list of places to go when I'm in Connecticut. I hadn't been back in nearly two years, so when we had lunch nearby, I jumped at the opportunity to stop by. FOOD (5/5): Their chocolates are delicious. I haven't had one that I didn't like. We also ordered their homemade hot chocolate, and it was worth it. Yes, the chocolate is more on the expensive side, but we're not talking about Godiva. This is all house-made. We got a variety of chocolates, and the only one I second-guessed buying was the almond bark, but the quality was definitely much better than in a Hershey's bar. Next time, I'll stick more to their smaller bites. SERVICE (5/5): The owner helped us out, and he was so nice. He spent some time talking to my husband about music as he made our hot chocolates. As new customers came in, he greeted them. He spent so much time focusing on detail, catching a rip on my friend's gift box and promptly swapping it out for another. ATMOSPHERE (4/5): It is a little cramped if there's a crowd. However, I don't think chocolate is one of those things that requires you to sit around and eat like a meal in a restaurant. We took our chocolates to go, but they do put them on a platter if you are eating them there. There's just one table. I won't hold it against them though. I could devour these morsels without sitting down. Tschudins is a must visit in Middletown. I'll definitely be back. read more

I wandered in the store with my boyfriend after getting lunch in Middletown. The owner is a real character, a non stop chatter box - but in a good way. I can't wait for him to make me some European hot coco. Dark chocolate and thick. read more

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We had the copycat cronut today .. in nyc dominique ansel made the original and if you are lucky enough to buy one it is $5, much larger than the $6 tschudin version and filled with french pastry cream and berry filling (flavor changes monthly in nyc) tschudin version (it was the end of the day) was ok. a bit hard and dry and lacking the expected $6 donut amazement. worth a try - if you have low expectations you may like it. its easier to get to main st middletown than it is to get to the les... i need to get back down to Tschudin soon and see if the fresh one is better. read more

Old fashioned style Chocolates locally hand made, which will please a traditionalist but not a foodie. Everything is lovingly made, and the owner really takes pride in his work. It's local. It's fresh. It's art, it's just not my cup of tea. $2.50 for a single chocolate is something I'm happy to pay for art! I just didn't happen to like my selection which was described as exotic spices but I couldn't detect any of that spice, just smooth chocolate with a (yuck for me) jelly filling. Modern foodie chocolate would be dark, or a ganache, and the spice would be much louder. Again, perfect high end chocolate for a traditionalist, like what a Whitman's Sampler should actually be, but for me? I like a more AvanteGuarde chocolate. read more

This is a really odd little shop, and on first impression, you might question my five star rating, but upon tasting the right truffle the rating makes sense. So, first off. This place is little and you could miss it. Look for AT & T and then look to beside it. There it will be. Inside the shop is a bit cramped and when we visited it was full of random bits of stuff? There was a piano, a table piled with fruit boxes, and a cooler. It was a bit tight with my party of six. The owner and chocolatier Rob is very friendly and chatty. If you wanted to get in and out quickly, you might need to be mission oriented because we hung out for awhile talking. It was hard to pull away, but it didn't full pushy or awkward. Now, the real star was the chocolate itself. The all have names and Rob will take the time to describe them all to you, don't feel shy asking about them or for repetition, he is kind and happy to tell you anything you need to know about them. We tried several the earl grey, the lemon-something in the shape of a piano, the Night in Tunisia (which is his star truffle as far as best sellers and awards, the chai flavored one, the salted caramel, and my personal favorite US Mints. The mint truffle was INSANE. It was, without question for me, the best truffle I've ever had in my life. Not just in Connecticut, but anywhere I've been. Now, I love mint, so that explains why this one struck me so, but the filling is like a clear substance with suspended bits of real mint leaves. It was stellar, I can't wait to get another one. Now, as other reviews mention, it's expensive. Expect $2-$4 per piece, but that is the norm for high quality, decorated chocolate. I wouldn't have even thought about the price as being abnormal if I hadn't read it in so many reviews and felt the need to address it. It is spendy, if you just want a sweet treat, maybe go get an ice cream, but if you want amazing truffles, stop here. read more

We were in the area for a wedding on Sat, do we divided to explore the area.i hasn't been in the town in 41 years... I caught the store front out of the corner of my eye and my wife, being the chocoholic that she is, decided to check it out. WHAT A TREASURED! We the master chocolate maker himself. WHAT S GTEAT GUY!!! Everything we tried was FANTASTIC. Our preference is dark chocolate, and his explanation of his flavors was 100% spot on. I can't rave enough about the chocolates! If I could give more than 5 stars I would. My suggestion, JUST GO, eat and enjoy. We'll be back read more

Tschudin makes tasty chocolates, don't get me wrong. They also have at least five or six vegan options. That said, I wasn't totally impressed by the chocolates here. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here for them and, given the price, I probably won't be back. I got a dark chocolate peanut butter square, as well as a "US Mint"; each one cost roughly $2.50, which is absurdly expensive given how small the candies are. Most upscale chocolate shops I know charge by the pound, rather than by the piece. If you're looking for really great chocolate, at much better prices, I suggest Divine Treasures in Manchester (which has way more creative options, and way more vegan options, too) or Cocoashak in Cheshire. Both of them charge by the pound and you not only feel you're getting a better value, but your mouth tells you you're getting a tastier product as well. read more

Took my mom on a chocolate tour here for her Mother's Day gift and although the tour may have been a bit rocky at times, we still ended up learning a lot and enjoying some great chocolate! Tschudin is a tiny chocolate shop in downtown Middletown with an even tinier kitchen. I wasn't sure how the seven of us on the tour were going to fit back there with the chef and his two assistants, but we managed! The chef showed us the process of creating a piece of his chocolate creations from start to finish--from tempering the chocolate to putting it in the molds to getting the filler to just the right temperature. Chef then had us helping in the kitchen, learning to dip pretzels and frozen mousse bars. We then got a tasting of different chocolates from around the world to get a feel for what we might really like to indulge in. This had to be my favorite part of the tour, as now I have a few names of chocolate brands that are just exquisite! To top off the tour, we were each given a small box and we got to fill it with any of the chocolates available in the case. Tschudin had some very creative options, such as earl grey infused and chipotle spiced. At this point, three hours had gone by--what a tour! We were all told we could stay as long as we liked and the chef was more than willing to answer any questions we had. Overall, we had a nice afternoon and enjoyed the educational experience. The only off-putting moment we had was how the chef spoke to his assistants, who were culinary students--having worked in the restaurant business, I understand it is part of the culture, but to those who don't (like the members of our tour group) it made for a few uncomfortable looks (the chef at one point did address the way he was speaking to them, clarifying that it was so the students would learn). The two of us left with a whole new respect for chocolatiers--who knew it was so time consuming and intensive? I am looking forward to stopping by in the future with the hubby so he can pick out a few chocolates for himself and so we can enjoy those frozen mousse bars I helped to make! read more

Okay, this probably isn't a fair time to write a review, since I'm just coming off a sugar high from eating a pound of chocolate from one of the top chocolatiers in the nation (L.A. Burdick) but...I was very disappointed in the five tendrils I just had. The price point was extraordinarily high (approx $2.50/piece versus $0.75/piece for the aforementioned LA Burdick). The Irish Ginger tasted good but was grainy. The texture of the salted caramel was equally off. The thumbnail sized slice of baklava was teeming with bitter walnut skins. I did have a lemony caramel that was quite good with a smooth texture. The other surprise to me was that all the chocolates were molded, not hand-dipped. This seemed like a home-cooks approach to chocolate, something Wilton would promote. And although the chocolate was very good, molding created too thick of a bottom layer, overpowering the fillings. read more

I had been into Tschudin's a few times for treats and was really impressed with the amazing flavors, so when I saw a Groupon for an introductory chocolate-making class, I jumped at the opportunity. I sold a few family members on the idea, and off we went! The Groupon describes the class as a "three-hour chocolate-making class" where "up to six students spend an hour learning about the chocolate-making process before trying it out firsthand. Over the following two hours, they temper chocolate and shape it into ganaches and truffles." When I went in to schedule our day, Rob (the charismatic owner) explained it's usually 3-4 hours long, so we planned our day accordingly. There was a snowstorm the night before our class, so we confirmed with Rob in the morning that our class was still on. When we got there, we found out that his normal assistants were not able to make it in and he had a friend volunteering for the day. We were shown where the nearest defibrillator is (although, in the case of an emergency, shouldn't the staff be getting the medical supplies?) and then Rob spent close to 30 minutes printing out the class pamphlet and our diplomas. Luckily, there was champagne and orange juice to help make the time pass. After waiting for a PowerPoint to download, he finally started class. I would suggest having chairs available for his students, as our class did not wrap up for well over an hour. At this point, we had been there for almost 2 hours so were understandably excited when it was time to head back into the kitchen. The next few hours consisted of constant misdirection, shouting for his volunteer to find things and looking for places to store our chocolates as they cooled. We all took turns stirring and tempering the chocolate but, as I do not have a marble or granite slab at home, this isn't something I can see myself really doing in the future. I was honestly a little afraid to try the chocolate pieces he gave us as he clearly had some congestion issues and was coughing and clearing his throat near the food (never ON the chocolate, but close enough that the particles in the air could have easily landed there). He washed his hands a number of times, but I would have worn a mask or completely left the area to cough or clear my throat. After almost 5 hours, we finally explained that we had to leave as we had other things to do before the day ended. I had to return the next day to pick up our chocolates, since we weren't even able to finish our samples to bring home in the 5 hours we were there. We left confused; why did we stir the chocolate and then it got poured back into the big mixer? What was that chocolate being used for? When we got there and it was explained what we were going to do, we all got the idea that we were making two or three different things to bring home, but left empty-handed as the time management was out the window. When I returned for our chocolates, the assistant took them out of the display case - he was selling the chocolates we had made! He did give us some of his other "misfires" to take home, but I was very upset. We paid $80 each ($400 for the group) to make chocolates that he then turned around and sold. Clearly our chocolate making skills are not on a professional level, so the people who bought those chocolates were not getting the caliber they were paying for. I do appreciate that Rob gave us the recipes for some of the chocolates, as I can follow a recipe very well and can use the little I learned in making chocolates at home. I don't know if it was just because it was after a snowstorm so he didn't have time to prepare for our class, but it was very disorganized and not at all what he had set me up to expect. I've now gone and read some reviews online and wish I had done that ahead of time. If he took out the organ, the slot machine, and some other bulky items in his shop, he could move the displays up and make more room in the back. I wish he had gone over the history of chocolate and the differences between chocolates while were in the kitchen, as it would have saved time, allowed for more time in the kitchen, and would have kept everyone on goal rather than the many, MANY tangents he went off on. I took an archery class the next week in Wallingford and the owner went over the background of archery and other interesting facts as we were learning, which was much more fluid and a fun way to learn. The moral of the story is that the chocolate is delicious, I will absolutely continue to spend my money on treats there, but I will read reviews in the future before spending $80/person on a class. read more

I am never disappointed when I visit Rob and Tschudin Chocolates. Recently, for the holiday season, the stores hours have changed. The shop is closed the first couple of days of the week. However, Rob's number is listed on the door saying that should you want to purchase something you can call or text him and see if he is either in the back of the shop working or if he can swing by and serve you. Twice I have brought out of town friends and family in and we have had our own surprise nearly private chocolate experience. From tasting some sweets to dipping our own Moussicles (chocolate dipped frozen mousse), Rob makes stopping into the store an experience every time. My husband and I always buy a few pieces of the "Night in Tunisia" chocolate. It is the double first place winner in the shop made with red pepper and fenugreek and cumin. It is the best chocolate I've ever had! If you visit downtown Middletown, you have to stop by and and at least get yourself a cup of REAL hot chocolate. You will not be disappointed. read more

My husband and I wandered in about an hour before close, after having dinner at Pho 170. There was a family ahead of us so we waited a moment and looked around. It's a small store with 2 cute glass displays of a variety of different chocolates. The floors were clean and the glass looked pretty clean considering it was the end of the night. The owner of the store was the man behind the counter and he is a one of a kind, genuine, bubbly, very nice person. We all chatted while choosing our chocolates about Prince and the SNL special that was airing a little later tonight. In the conversation I mentioned that my phone had died, otherwise I would look up the start time and BOOM, he pulls out a charging cable and hooks my phone up! Thank you!! My husband and I sat down with our chocolates to enjoy while my phone was recovering and I have to say I had the freshest, most delicious chocolate covered strawberry of my life! Everything was delicious! While my hubby and I were chatting and tasting our chocolates a father came in with his daughters and I overheard that one of the girls wanted a chocolate covered strawberry. The owner suggested that if the strawberries in the case were too large for her, he would bring out some smaller ones and the girls could dip their own! How fun! I am very impressed, I know my own children would be awestruck at an opportunity to dip their own strawberries! I was able to grab 2 or 3 pics before my phone died and will add them to my review. 5 stars to the chocolatier who obviously enjoys what he's doing and loves people!! read more

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I have waited months to write this review because I am so torn. My first experiences at this shop were when the business opened (4 years ago). At that time the shop was clean, free of clutter and the owner was (remains) so warm and affable; his enthusiasm about chocolate blankets everyone he encounters. When I lived closer, I purchased boxes of chocolates as gifts and have been pleased. My previous good experiences gave me the confidence to schedule an advertised "tour". We were excited for our 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory Experience'! Three of us drove an hour each to descend on Middletown for what we assumed would be (was described as) our introduction to chocolate making, including chocolate tasting. Total cost $150 + tax. What we got was a haphazard, disjointed, ADHD lesson in everything from not-really-safe kitchen safety to a nonlinear narrative of something; honestly it was so scattered our takeaway was nil. We made nothing from start to finish. We started to make 3 different things, but in the end the most significant thing we accomplished in 3.5 hours (we asked to leave, as it would have continued longer) was throwing nuts and dried fruits into melted chocolate that cooled (after we left) into chocolate bark. We understood that retail clients would interrupt and we would be making what needed to be made, but the inability to complete a task was entirely due to our host's inability to stay on track. Our tasting was nothing more than our teacher pulling pieces of candy melts from huge, well-worn wholesale bags with his hands in order to demonstrate the varying percentages of cacao. Some of it was downright inedible and left a horrid taste in our mouths. None of this was turning out as we planned. The shop has become a dumping ground for everything from used furniture to racks of failed chocolate experiments that we learned would be dumped back in the melting pot for future use (ewwww!). I don't know how the health department views the disarray and stacks of everything imaginable 'sanitary', but I do not. After we left, the three of us were racked with disappointment and disbelief. I had brought them there as a surprise treat and it turned into 3.5 completely wasted hours at a considerable expense. This is all really a shame, as the owner is a genuinely kind man with very good intentions. His knowledge is clearly thorough and impressive, but his ability to teach/convey is not. His staff was flip and condescending toward him. He does deliver a quality product, but seeing the conditions in which it is made has turned me off for life. I hated writing this review, but it really needs to be said. read more

I just left this place with his homemade hot chocolate that's made with melted chocolate not some cheap powderd stuff and omg it was incredible by far the best hot chocolate ive ever had its def in its own league. I also always pick up some pieces as well and his work is def art A MUST GO!! read more

Rob's insight and techniques in his chocolate making class are easily applied and enjoyed at home. He made the experience memorable and fun. We drank champagne and made some new friends. The shop is in a great location surrounded by restaurants and nightlife. We will be longtime customers. read more

Tschudin Chocolates - Having fun learning to make chocolates! - Desserts Near Me - Middletown, Connecticut

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So I was strolling down Main Street in Middletown with my girlfriend after eating dinner at Mondo Pizza and noticed that Tschudin Chocolates was still open. We stopped in and selected 6 small pieces of chocolate with a milk hazelnut center. This ended up costing just under $15.00. While it was very good chocolate, I don't think I'd spend that much again. read more

Tschudin Chocolates continues to delight and impress! We actually ordered our Christmas Cake (an absolutely incredible Mango Bombe) and it was a tremendous success! Rob and his staff are friendly, helpful and passionate about their art. read more

Plenty of chocolate to choose from here. I got the "Cinderella" truffle (all varieties are specially named) which was a milk chocolate truffle filled with honey infused ganache. Truly melt in your mouth good and a flavor I had not seen before. Yes, it is very pricey but that is to be expected when you are dealing with truffles and other gourmet chocolates. If you make your visits for special occasions it doesn't hurt the wallet as much as if you visit every day. When you go to pay they do all their transactions on an iPad, which is also kind of cool. So go ahead and splurge! read more

When my friend and I walked into Tschudin Chocolates and Confections, we were immediately greeted with glasses of fresh-squeezed orange juice, served to us by none other than the chocolate mastermind himself, Rob Tschudin, as well as his cohort Lara. As seniors with little to no idea what we're going to do post-Wes, we felt impelled to ask Lara, who looked to be just a little older than us, what led her to a career in the chocolate business. Turns out she has a BFA from NYU, but was "corrupted," as Rob affectionately put it, and went back to school for French culinary training. After seeing and tasting the colorful array of chocolates, pastries, and frozen treats available at Tschudin, and observing the joyful, warm atmosphere that Rob creates for his employees, going back to school to learn how to make desserts doesn't seem like such a crazy idea after all. While Rob got ingredients ready in the back, Lara chatted with us over a bowl of blueberry scone dough. Scones are her favorite thing to make, she said, because even though it's important to meticulously measure out all the ingredients on a scale to get the consistency just right, she can have a good amount of creative leeway with the recipe. This time, she added lemon zest and brandy to the mix before molding the crumbly dough into squares. The scones were then brushed in butter and sprinkled with sugar before being put in the oven. While we waited for them to bake, Lara explained to us what she likes most about working at Tschudin. "Here," she says, "I'm not just a cog in the machine;" the cozy and personal vibe at Tschudin, as well as the small number of employees (four, on a busy day), allows for a level of intimacy that you wouldn't get with a larger company. It's clear that Lara's contributions are important to the success of the shop. In fact, Rob describes many of the treats he shows us, such as some frozen mounds of chocolate mousse with a gooey pistachio filling (pictured below), as "Lara's creations." Rob's shop serves not only as a chocolaterie and pastry destination, but also as a hub for many of the culinary bigwigs of Middletown. During our stay, we were delighted to see Brian O'Rourke of O'Rourke's Diner walk through the door. He warmly greeted Rob and Lara before picking out a few treats from the display case to take home with him. There was seldom a moment during our time in the store when customers weren't trickling in and out the doors. One person walked in and requested every macaron they had. This, Lara explained to us, is typical. Their menu changes from hour to hour depending on what is popular and what Rob and Lara decide to whip up, so if someone sees a treat they love, they jump at the opportunity. During these hot summer months, the store's specialty is frozen mousse, which the chocolatiers form into "moussicles." The finished product looks like a frozen bar of chocolate ice cream, but in reality, it's much more. Tschudin's moussicles are filled with gourmet chocolate-mango mousse and coated in dark chocolate. Then they are topped with a flourish of milk chocolate. The finished product is rich and decadent, but also perfectly refreshing. Another bonus? Moussicles don't melt nearly as fast as ice cream and popsicles do. For those who have heard of Dominique Ansel's Cronut, which is currently sweeping the nation, you'll be happy to hear that the trend has found its way to Middletown in the form of Tschudin's "Laminonuts." They get their name from the "laminated" (flaky, layered) croissant dough they're made with, combined with the deep-fried deliciousness of a doughnut. You can order yours rolled in sugar, infused with pastry cream, or slathered in caramel sauce. I had mine with pastry cream and caramel sauce. While some doughnuts are overwhelmingly rich, Tschudin's croissant dough is light and buttery, lending towards a less heavy but much more delicious version of the classic dessert. Our stay lasted just long enough for us to see the scones come out of the oven. Although we didn't try them, the sight alone was enough to make our mouths water. The tops looked perfectly crisp, and the dough appeared to be buttery and soft, with blueberries generously sprinkled throughout. When I asked if there were any new recipes on the horizon for Tschudin, Lara confirmed that there are, but that they are top secret. There's no doubt that I'll be coming back to find out. scones Consensus? Tschudin's is a must-try for everyone with a penchant for sweet treats and good conversation. read more

I didn't think I could find a new favorite chocolate, but I should know better than to underestimate Rob! Tonight, he introduced me to the first & last, a sun dried tomato, white chocolate and dark chocolate (I think) delight that I enjoy even more than the sweet Stephanie and marzipan confections that I often dream about at night! I love that there's always something new, exotic, and unexpected to try each time I visit. And I also tried a NY cream egg drink- I want to drink this nectar of the gods everyday! It's iced hot chocolate mixed with Coke. I can't. It's just too good. I also picked up thick, crunchy peanut brittle for my husband. That's also GONE! Not only is the chocolate divine and exceptional quality for a very reasonable price- you get what you pay for- Rob treats my five year old like a princess. Annaveigh loves going in for the white chocolate blueberry truffles and to see the pretty chocolate point shoes. If you are on Main Street, skip dessert at Amici and go see Rob instead. I promise you won't be disappointed. Ask questions and enjoy each piece. Life is too short to not to eat good chocolate, and you're supporting a small business owner as well. I'm planning to purchase my daughter an Easter Bunny soon! He's already got some in the case! read more

Let's start this right away: I'm not a chocolate person. (I'll give you a moment to judge me.) Okay, stop that! Seriously, though - I'm not a chocolate person, I am ferociously anti-Hershey, and here I am writing a 5-star review on a chocolate shop. Drove past here on our way to dinner on Main Street. I have the biggest, most insatiable sweet tooth of anyone I know, so I pestered my family throughout our meal (sorry guys!) and off we went after paying the bill. When we walked in, a family of about 5 were standing at the counter and were all obviously being served by the owner, but he made a point to greet us and make us feel welcome. We looked at chocolate shoes while we waited. They were pretty cool. We'd been waiting for a while as the family selected their chocolates, and the owner unexpectedly gave us a free chocolate to taste as we waited. (it's spicy and chocolaty and red and blue. try it) When it was our turn, the owner took the time to describe every chocolate in the case (excellent, because like i said, i'm not a chocolate person, and when i am, i'm very picky). He also offered us an impromptu tour of the kitchen and explained in detail how the machines worked, the chocolate making process, etc. Awesome. Remember how I said I'm not a chocolate person? I am now. Of the four different chocolates I bought, the milk chocolate bar was so good at first bite that I devoured it and bought another. The whole experience was incredible. The chocolates are unique, classic, and zany - garam masala chocolates sit beside simple milk chocolate bars and spicy airbrushed sweets. Yes, the chocolates are pricey. The most expensive one we bought was a $10 bar, but most little ones are about 2-3 dollars. I think it's worth it. The owner knows his chocolate, and it shows. I can't tell you how much I love experiences like this and an owner that genuinely cares about what he does and who he serves. I will be back!! read more

Had a Living Social deal for a chocolate tour & tasting, the tour in a tiny shop with boxes piled everywhere, bins, and random bank furniture floor to ceiling was daunting. The owner started our tour with a "tour" of the neighboring AED device locations???!! Weird.... No gloves, hair not in pony tails on the 2 assistants, dirty long fingernails on the owner, who also had tremendous body odor, wondering how health inspections are passed ever? Now onto the tour, oh wait while they order Chinese food dinner, and yell about where items are located in the "kitchen" .... Positive = the end of the tour where we learned about & tasted chocolates in varying percentages & strengths, would I recommend this no, would I buy chocolates here no, was it a good deal ehh mezz ah mezz read more

I've been here twice and have tried quite a variety of chocolate items. I find myself having a hard time forgetting how much I enjoy the chocolate covered orange peels and the Garam Masala. I generally leave having spent no less than $30, but I tend to get a bit of a haul. I'll admit that it's maybe a little too pricey for me, so going forward I will probably stick with the things I know I love. That being said, I have received nothing but the best customer service at Tschudin - and this includes the handful of high school kids that work here, too. They are always patient and quick to help me find something that will suit my tastes. I haven't tried anything other than the chocolate, so I can't give any feedback regarding their many other treats. I recommend Tschudin on a night (or day) you REALLY want to indulge/splurge to try something new and inspired. Keep your mind open, if you've ever watched Food Network and wondered how flowers, etc. would taste in chocolate, Tschudin might be your ticket. read more