Sweet New Chocolaterie Opens Up in Little Italy

A new artisanal chocolate-maker arrives in Montreal on Friday (November 2) as État de Choc opens on St-Laurent in Little Italy.

It’ll be selling chocolate mostly as bars, mini-bars, and “lingots” (small chocolate bites, not a chunky bar comparable to a gold ingot) — and it seems that the chocolatiers aren’t afraid to experiment. Calling itself a “new generation” chocolate maker, flavours will include hops, corn, white curry, and wasabi chocolate. But traditionalists need not fret, as purer cocoa options will be offered, as well as classics like strawberry, maple, or coffee.

État de Choc is talking a big quality game here — while not many details are available yet, it’s promising carefully-chosen base products, and seems to be putting an emphasis on traceability for its chocolates.

État de Choc/Supplied

While the space, near Beaubien Street, is first and foremost a boutique, it will also offer occasional events — tastings, as well as chocolate-making classes, for both kids and adults.

Quebec’s business registry lists Maud Gaudreau as the chocolaterie owner — information available online suggests she brings experience from another pro chocolate retailer, Chocolats Geneviève Grandbois.

STATUS — État de Choc opens on Friday (November 2) at 6466 St-Laurent from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

• État de Choc [Facebook]