Have you ever had an experience that you didn’t think existed? I’m talking about you’ve dreamed of it but that’s about as far as it got. I have to tell you I had one of those experiences on March 21st during our Gourmet Culinary Tour. Usually, I write about one or two shops we visited but, I have to tell you, they were all great. From our friends, William & Steven, at Wen Chocolates (http://www.wenchocolates.com/)  and that chocolate cake that if it wasn’t so rude, I would’ve eaten the entire thing by myself (OK, that, and I still need to fit in my jeans). Just look at this gorgeous cake, and I assure you, it tasted as good as it looks.

We were also treated to a lesson in gelato making by the very talented Deanna Parker of Red Trolley Ice Cream Boutique (http://www.redtrolleydenver.com/) – they finally got on Twitter so now I (and the rest of Denver) can find out what flavors they are putting out that day. Trust me when I tell you if they put out the Salted Carmel Gelato with the Homemade “Snicker’s” Topping, just go, drop whatever you’re doing and go get a pint or a gallon. If you really want a sugar buzz, you could take the gelato over to Wen Chocolates, get one of Chef William’s cakes and pretty much be in heaven. (Did I mention I like chocolate?)

Our visits to Savory Spice (http://www.savoryspiceshop.com/) and The Truffle (http://www.denvertruffle.com/) always delight the senses, how could they not? We’re tasting exotic spices from all over the world. Did you know that they grind most of their spices in house? And make their own blends? Just smelling the turmeric, chili powder, ginger, salt, pepper and paprika in that mixture was enough to make me want to go home and start cooking. But,

that would mean I would have missed a fantastic shop coming up. That’s in the next blog, so, go grab a pint of gelato, some cake, might as well as stop by Little Raven Vineyards (http://littleravenvineyards.com/) and have Peter Klann pick out a nice dessert wine for your chocolate treasures and make a night of it.