Marly's Chocolates in Evanston

Hi,

Last Saturday night my plans quickly crumbled due to unexpected teenage care duties. Once everyone was settled in their destination for the evening, I had misconnected with my friends. What's the point of arriving for dinner when someone is just beginning dessert selection?

Rather than going home and tackling my to-do list, I let the mind wander for a few moments. Maybe Marly's Chocolates had finally risen to the top of my places to visit. Yes, this seemed like a divine idea, which if they were closed for a private event, then I would amuse myself with oysters at Davis Street Fishmarket instead; I believe in always having options.

I was lucky, I arrived to find Marly's open and filled with people milling around the open air candy display with candles scattered about. The central display is a two tier marble topped table with examples of various chocolates named and priced per piece. There were classic truffles, truffles shaped like mushrooms, chocolate and nut covered toffee, caramels, turtles and many other chocolates; most priced around $2.50 each.

What long attracted me to Marly's was their hot chocolate, which is chocolate melted into a mixture of whipping cream and half-and-half for $3.00. IF you want additional chocolate melted in, then it is $3.50.



I ordered the extra intensely chocolate variation, which as much as I enjoyed it may cause some to reach for the sugar. It was more chocolate than sweet and quite rich and velvety to the tongue. My only quibble was the presentation in a paper cup. I know many would not blink an eye when their daily coffee is from a Starbucks paper cup. Yet, when you have so lavish a hot chocolate to drink, you feel something is somewhat amiss when not in a china cup.

To accompany my hot chocolate, I had a pecan-crusted chocolate-covered toffee. I have never been to the Peninsula for the Saturday night chocolate dessert splurge. Yet, I thought if Marly would extend their hours beyond 9 PM this would make an excellent alternative. They even offer a chocolate fondue with unspecified tasty treasures to dip into it for around $10.

Marly's indeed would be a perfect date night conclusion if they would expand their hours. Or maybe it could be a backwards date: begin with dessert, then dinner concluding with cocktails. If you use your imagination, you can make anything work!

Marly Chocolates
527 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Phone 847-328-3333 or Toll Free 1-866-492-1688

When in Evanston, Ms. EC and I have a hard time passing Marly's without stopping in for a truffle or two. At the south end of the center display are the house handmade truffles (most of the others are imported). Ms. EC swears by the banana truffle. It can only be described as super-fudgy. I'm partial to the savory flavors (curry, cardamom) or the raspberry.

Also, Marly has a nice selection of sugar-free chocolates. I have many diabetics in my family, and a box of chocolate from Marly has become a welcome diversion to the Long Grove chocolates that they've all become tired of.

Best,
EC

I stopped in on our Saturday morning Evanston walkabout and was saddened they were out of goat cheese and bleu cheese truffles - my question to the LTH'ers - are they as good as they sound?

kafein wrote:I stopped in on our Saturday morning Evanston walkabout and was saddened they were out of goat cheese and bleu cheese truffles - my question to the LTH'ers - are they as good as they sound?

Short answer: yes.

They're rich and decadent. So rich that I think one small truffle could be shared by three people, and leave all three satisfied.

Best,
EC

I'm a big fan of Marly's hot chocolate - some time ago I posted about it on CH. However for truffles and such in evanston I think a better choice is Piron on main street, across from Lucky Platter. They don't do a lot of exotica but all the confections they do offer are very very good.

Piron is an excellent chocolatier as well and I consider them better for gift boxes than Marly. Marly's pieces are all individually wrapped in small plastic bags, and go into the gift box that way (not as attractive as they can be).

Piron's chocolates are delicious and made by a master Belgian chocolatier on premises. (Many of Marly's chocolates are imported). Piron prepares beautiful gift boxes.

Belgian Chocolatier Piron
509 Main Str
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 864-5504