Half the battle is getting people into your particular chocolate store. Lolli and Pops nailed it with their store front, in my opinion. The whimsical, yet clean lines of the few letters, combined with the playfully simple architecture promised good things inside; and inside I went.
While there were colorful candies lining all of the walls and shelves, it is obviously the long glass case of chocolate that grabbed my attention. This was stocked with golfball sized truffles in beautiful shades of brown. The names struck me as succinctly and creatively describing the flavors. Still, I had a few questions, which the clerk was very patient to answer (although she had no idea I planned to write about them).
Both the price per truffle (roughly $3.00 to 3.50 each) and the rich look of them helped me to keep my purchase to the small bag size. When I got home, I was able to cut each truffle into pieces and multiply the pleasure. I also had my 3 year old granddaughter with me and bought her one of the $1 pink bubble gum lollipops, which was the highlight of her afternoon. (click on any photo to enlarge)
The truffles were excellent. Their flavor invited me to let them dissolve slowly on my tongue, and their centers were substantial enough to allow this. I found that they were the perfect blend of flavor rich enough to savor, but not so rich as to be cloying. After just a couple of pieces, I found my chocolate palate blissfully happy. I didn’t stop eating them from a full stomach or guilt, but because the flavor sensations seemed to linger in my brain in inexplicable ways. The 3 truffles lasted me longer than most other chocolates I have tried!
Lolli and Pops is apparently a chain based in San Francisco, as See’s Candy is. They are located directly across from each other in the Boise Towne Square Mall, which has to be frustrating to See’s. Fortunately for See’s, Lolli and Pops chocolates are sufficiently different. Lolli and Pops did not have the same chocolate with nuts, toffee, or marzipan. Also, See’s sells smaller pieces, so you can get more variety for the same volume.
The quality of Lolli and Pops chocolate seemed a touch better than See’s, however, all factors being taken together, I still see myself eating See’s candy regularly, though supplementing it with some from Lolli and Pops.
The other candy at Lolli and Pops has no significant counter part at See’s. This will likely get me in to Lolli and Pops to fill Christmas stockings (shhh… don’t tell the children) or to buy the grandchildren special treats. While there, I will most likely have to get something for myself.
