Chocolate is one of the most delicious taste bud experiences in life. In France, eating chocolates is part of their lifestyle, a luxury for the tongue, an exquisite and tasteful keepsake often called “sweet delicacy.” Paris is France biggest metropolis where most of the largest and classy chocolate stores are located. Walking into a Paris chocolate shop can be intimidating (so chic!) and overwhelming (so many choices!). I know the feeling, but you’ll overcome it if you have a plan.
DO take all the time you need to walk around the shop and take everything in.
DON’T touch everything in sight. Feel free to pick up the occasional packaged product from a display shelf to get a closer look, but do so delicately: chocolate products are fragile and if they’re even slightly bruised the staff won’t be able to sell them.
DO buy an assortment of filled chocolates to sample the chocolatier’s most intriguing creations; you can buy a ready-made assortment, or ask to have one composed to your specifications.
DON’T overlook the plain ganache and plain praliné: I will argue these are the best products to judge a chocolatier by.
DO let the sales person know whether you prefer all dark chocolate (yay!), all milk chocolate (boo!), or a mix of both (all right) in your assortment, and let them know if you prefer to skip any liquor-flavored ones.
DON’T feel like you have to buy a whole ballotin (chocolate box). Filled chocolates are sold by weight, so you can absolutely order just 4 or 5 that they’ll slip in a small bag with a gloved hand.
DO remember that filled chocolates are a fresh product that should be eaten within a week or two of purchase. (I don’t imagine that will be a problem.)
DON’T refrigerate chocolate, as it seizes the cocoa butter and numbs the flavors; keep it at cool room temperature instead.
DO consider getting one or several chocolate bars studded or filled with whatever ingredients most appeal to you. These work especially well as gifts, as they travel well and keep better than filled chocolates.
DON’T get a plain chocolate bar, as that doesn’t tell you much about the chocolate maker’s talents beyond melting and molding — unless, of course, you’re dealing with a bean-to-bar chocolatier, who processes his own chocolate couverture from raw cacao beans
DO ask questions and request recommendations: it’s a good way to establish a rapport with the sales person and melt the ice if needed.
DON’T hesitate for too long. Managing to be both assertive and charming is a lifelong pursuit for the savvy French shopper!
(Photos from top to bottom) Saint Honore's Main Lobby and Third Level Amenity Deck
Like French chocolate that teases the tongue with delightful experience, there’s another reason to celebrate life when you’re living in Western Visayas in the Philippines – take a good look of Saint Honore, the newest upscale residential condo tower in Iloilo Business Park envisioned by Megaworld to showcase the high-end lifestyle of Paris, France. Saint Honore is the 4th residential tower developed in the township with 10 floors that exudes stunning colors and passion. The impressive French architecture and serene life similar to Paris gives its future homeowners that incomparable value for investment and vision.
(Photos from top to bottom) Saint Honore's future facade and Function Hall
Like French chocolate, living at Saint Honore is delightful for having its own classy third level amenity deck where we can find a gorgeous swimming pool with pool lounge and a Jacuzzi for intimate relaxation. There’s a Fitness Center for gym buffs and health enthusiasts for their regular workout session. The Function Hall is a spacious area where residents can celebrate various life celebrations. Saint Honore offers at total of 168 condominium units, from executive studio, one bedroom to two bedroom units with lanai and balcony, each of these classy flat is designed with French passion. The Atrium located in the ground level, is a landscaped garden with trellised seating area, pieces of furniture, sculpture and art decors that showcases French lifestyle. The tower’s Main Lobby feels like a little French museum with artsy design and decors.
“Walkability” and easy access to other popular destinations in the township is what makes Saint Honore desirable to future residents as it directly connects to the Festive Walk Parade, the 1.1-kilometer shopping and dining avenue.
Like French chocolate that delightfully captures your taste buds, Saint Honore captures both your lifestyle vision and your heart, a chance to fall in love with life for its upscale concept of living, the beauty of French design and Paris scenery comes alive when you choose to live here forever.
For more details, call (033) 330-3464 or visit IBP Sales and Information Center.
