Läderach — Local services in Niles Township

We came for a stroll around Old Orchard and were surprised to see this new Swiss chocolate store. We popped in to take a look, hoping to indulge in perhaps one or two artisanal truffles. However, I am especially a sucker for floral sweets, and their limited edition flavor of the month was alluringly adorned with dried alpine blossoms. Apparently this is their "Summerdream," which their website notes is "a fruity mix of blood orange, passion fruit and mango in white chocolate combined with dark chocolate."

They offered me a sample, and it was love at first bite. Sometimes with a fruity mix like this, you just get an indistinct Fruity Pebbles sort of flavor, but not so here. Each of the flavors was distinguishable and the ingredients shined through individually. So now, my plans had to change, and the basil chocolate truffle would have to wait until next time. Instead, I was apparently going to buy a $24 block of Summerdream.

Meanwhile, they further tempted us with various samples of more chocolate, and especially the caramel flavored ones, as my husband said he was a fan. We quite nearly left with a second block of chocolate, but - NO! - next time! That said, the staff were gracious, friendly, and helpful tempters, happy to let us sample whatever we wished.

Apparently they opened this location just last month, and it will be the first of three Laderach locations in Chicagoland. Next, will be one in Rosemont, and then, downtown. (I love living in Chicago, where good food from anywhere on Earth is sure to crop up sooner or later!) Meanwhile, we are happy to return to this location at Old Orchard, once we are ready for our next...

I first became addicted to Laderach chocolates during a visit to Frankfurt, Germany. Since then, no other chocolates will do. As a transplant from Los Angeles, California (where there are Laderach shops) to now living in southern Illinois (where the closest locations are NYC or FL 😡), I was extremely excited & very happy to visit Old Orchard Westfield Mall just to get my chocolate fix. I spent a total of $72 on roundtrip Lyft rides to get here. (I clearly didn’t think this through. Especially since I could’ve just ordered online & got free shipping.) No matter. When we arrived at the shop, we tried the milk chocolate covered hazelnut bark & fell in love! (I came here with intentions to buy the dark chocolate Florentine & anything dark chocolate related.) To my surprise, we got to try Laderach’s new chocolate pearls & loved the dark chocolate almonds & milk chocolate hazelnuts. All and all, I dropped $107 on Laderach chocolates that I hope will last through our 5-hour train ride home. (If not, I’ll be sure to order them online next time anyway.) BTW, ask for Michael - he’ll hook you up with samples & keep you happy as you make up your mind on...

Stopped in after seeing their chocolate filled showcase from outside. The two young gentleman working there instantly offered to sample anything right when I walked in. I declined but purchased about a quarter pound ($15 worth) of 3 flavors of chocolate bark. It's nice to indulge in a little luxury now and then, I must not be much of a connoisseur of chocolate because I have to admit I couldn't really tell the difference. Dont get me wrong, it's definitely not like a Hershey bar chocolate taste, its closer to Ghirardelli. Its just a noticably higher quality than both. There certainly were plenty of options to choose from as well as a beautiful assortment of chocolate truffles. I dont generally frequent Old Orchard for shopping trips, but I'll likely try a couple different...