Monica's Chocolates — Restaurant in Lubec

While visiting Lubec and the eastern most point of the United States and of Maine, at West Quoddy Head Lighthouse for vacation, we stopped in here for some treats. This was our first time here. What a gem to find in such an unsuspecting place. It is a neatly decorated and organized, quaint little place, packed full of Peruvian wonders. The offerings here are handmade chocolates of all sorts, jams, jewelry and some clothing items. We even found a children's book about Maine and its wildlife that we saw featured on a hiking trail in Southern Maine earlier this year that we were intending to buy and so we did. We were looking for fudge and while we didn't find that, everything else offered here appears to be top notch. So much to see in such a small place I'm sure we didn't see it all. The chocolates are excellent, possibly the best I've ever had. So many choices of flavors and types. A new flavor item displayed was the strawberry wine truffle, simply elegant. I very much recommend them. While all of that is overwhelming enough to take in for a first visit. Perhaps the real essence of this place that makes it such a gem is Monica herself. When we first walked in the door she greated us warmly and asked if this was our first visit. Having answered her that it was she went on to describe and explain what we would need to know to find the items we were looking for. At first it seemed like just what I would expect from a small shop owner operator, but then her charming Peruvian way blasted past all of my expectations and I felt more like I was visiting a specialty store that was actually my grandmother's secret passion. We weren't even looking for jam, but she offered a sample while she showed us in the adjoining kitchen area where she explained how she was getting ready to make another batch and what it is made from. Just incredible the passion and exuberant character of this woman. She is a genius confectioner and marketer of her wares in such a natural and charming way. I'm sure she can't offer everyone a tour of the kitchen and a sample of the goods but she makes it seem as though she attempts to as much as possible. Like the statements of many other reviews it is a unique find of a shop you just have to experience it...

We stopped in Monica's chocolates and were very pleased with the shop, the alpaca sweaters, jewelry and chocolate choices. The best purchase was a mixed berry salsa, which we'll eat on every dessert or just have that for dessert with a little whipped cream on top! Excellent. The stars come down though as I'm hard to please on chocolate. I purchased a few different chocolate candies to try but the chocolate bases were only mediocre, with the best tasting being the white chocolate cashew bar (about a dollar an inch). The plum bon bon was simply a chocolate coated mashed up plum, unappealing, and the peanut butter cups were so hard on the bottom, we couldn't cut them in half. The peanuts on top might be a nice aesthetic, but again, I would rather have had a richer chocolate surrounding the homemade peanut butter (pretty good). While the store is beautifully arranged, the chocolates belong in a window cabinet so you can select an assortment like any other shop. Having to pay $12 to 20 for 6 pieces was too much without being able...

A brief history of Monica's Chocolates. Monica is from Peru she came to the US as an immigrant and didn't speak any english, she learned how to make chocolates from nothing, literally a few bon bons at a time. She has built up the business to what it is today. A very hard working lady who's chocolates are homemade right in the basement every day. She has a successful business that has grown into quite the shop. Famous for her assortment of chocolate and treats, she also sells jewelry, clothing and coffee along with other items.

If you are coming through the area it is worth the stop. You'll want to discuss with your partner a budget before entering or you'll ever up buying the...