When it comes to things to do in Orange County, this certainly is one of the tastiest. Artisan chocolates—a highlight of A-list celebrity events—have now found a permanent residence at The OC Mix at SOCO, thanks to Michelle haut Chocolat. The gourmet, fine art chocolate company that has amassed legions of choco-holic followers throughout the Southland now finally settles into a new brick-and-mortar location. Handmade daily in Laguna Beach, Michelle haut Chocolat showcases delectable gourmet truffles, handmade caramels, and haut desserts, all of which are creations fashioned from the company’s own custom chocolate blend using 73% bittersweet chocolate from Belgium. There are no artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives.
Using only the finest ingredients and packaging, Michelle haut Chocolat creates heavenly indulgences such as pear ginger truffles, cinnamon chai tea truffles, exotic chili cardamom bars, and even a whiskey truffle. Specialties include their ¼-lb, gold-wrapped, rose-salted turtles with caramel and pecans, ghost pepper salt-dusted dark chocolates and their signature M Bars available in French lavender, smoked tea salt, rose salt and espresso bean. The chocolate bars are delicately hand-wrapped in Nepalese fine paper, made from the renewable Lokta plant grown in Nepal, which make for an impressive presentation for gift giving. Michelle haut Chocolat at The OC Mix, 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.630.5886. michellehautchocolat.com