A new Venchi ChocoGelateria has opened at 198 Columbus Avenue at 69th Street (at the former home of L’Occitane). As a welcome to the neighborhood and to spread Italian Allegria (joy) to the Upper West Side, Venchi is offering our readers an exclusive offer for its iconic chocolate. Simply go to the boutique and mention “I Love The Upper West Side” and receive a free Pick & Mix chocolate — Venchi has 30-40 flavors to choose from! This offer will be effective through March 31, 2022. Limit one per customer per day.
Wow how generous!
As a major chocoholic, I have tasted a LOT of chocolate in my time. Venchi is among the absolutely top, if not the best I’ve ever had. (And no, I don’t work for them or know anyone who does.)
Their cappuccino and espresso squares are the most intense, perfect chocolates I have ever had the pleasure of melting in my mouth. And several other other of their “by the pound” chocolates are simply exquisite. I buy (and go through) about a pound a month of their chocolate. And while it is expensive, it is worth every penny.
Benvenuto, Venchi!
As a former New Yorker, now living in L.A., and a reader of the UWS newsletter, any chance I can have some sent to me?
I don’t know you, Ian, but your comments on Venchi mirrored those of another “stranger” who was standing on line inside Epices — a gem of a gem, an exquisite French bakery – with baguettes, croissants, freshly baked pastries and quiches among other delectables — just off Columbus, heading west, on 70th Street. She was gushing about “this new chocolate place” that just opened “around the corner on 69th Street.” I then came home to read Mike Mishkin’s piece above followed by your comments. I’m sold! With or without the free chocolate as a lure to get me inside! Thanks to you and Mike for taking the time to keep us informed about a great new addition to the neighborhood.
Real, authentic chocolate (the less sugar added the better) lowers blood pressure — I’ve read it time and time again. God bless the cocoa bean! Coffee is a fruit pit not a bean and God bless it too.
Thanks for your kind comment. I have been buying from their location on Columbus Circle since they opened several months ago. Went in there on a lark, and emerged with a few pieces. I was amazed by how perfect their chocolates are.
You are right about chocolate, but it is mostly DARK chocolate that is heart-healthy (in moderate amounts), while milk chocolate tends to be less so. I also cannot speak directly to the sugar content, except to say that I find their selections far more chocolaty than sugary.
If you buy a bag of mix and match, by the pound chocolates, make sure to get either their espresso or cappuccino, or both. (They are often out of the cappuccino – that’s how popular it is.) I also like anything with hazelnuts, and also “truffles,” and they have a few of those as well.
Best of luck, and enjoy!!
Stepped into the shop to check out the chocolates and the gelato.
The music was obnoxiously loud, and literally 6 employees were trying to talking over the music.
Left without making a purchase. Seemed like it could be very good. But I’ll have to wait until the ambiance isn’t GAP turned up to 11.
I”ve never had the privilege to enjoy Venchi chocolate and treats (too expensive for me), so this is like a Christmas present for me! What should my initial choices should? Can someone recommend please? I prefer less sugar and dark. Grazie! Also, how many pieces are we allow to choose? I’m so excited because I loooove chocolate and whenever I pass by the USQ location, I’m always envious of ice cream lickers.
As my comment notes, I have been eating Venchi chocolate for several months now. I do not know which ones they are offering in their free give-away, but if you can get either the cappuccino or espresso squares, those are my faves. And they also have a matcha chocolate square that is quite good, though I am not a matcha fan. Other than that, all the dark chocolate selections are good (I don’t eat milk chocolate), particularly the truffles, and the creminos.
Have fun!!