Chocolate Nirvana
by Cait Johnson

Oliver Kita may be known to some of you as the former owner of the successful restaurant in Woodstock, Heaven. Now he has turned his considerable talents to creating what can only be described as a bliss-inducing nirvana for anyone who appreciates fine chocolates. His eponymous artisanal chocolate boutique recently opened in Rhinebeck, offering 38 different confections, from Oliver's signature candy, flavored with sweet-tart cassis, to small works of art topped with fetching plaid, polka-dots, or exquisite candied flower petals, to pieces embossed with intriguing swirls tinted with metallic gold or silver.

But the confections offer more than just eye appeal. Kita studied his craft with the most respected teachers in France and Canada, and he insists on using the finest quality chocolate (Valhrona, including their sought-after organic line. "The company basically decides if you're worthy of using the organic chocolate," Kita says. "It was a great honor to be chosen.") Valhrona is known for its silky smooth feel in the mouth, and Kita certainly has a masterful way with it and with his other flavorful ingredients.

Oliver Kita offers something for every palate. Try the double-shot espresso truffle with bits of coffee bean or the almond pralinette, with its winning combination of crunchy topping over silky dark ganache, enrobing a mousse-like caramelized almond filling. The fig and cognac confection is delightful, and the Palet d'Opium is a sublimely unique combination of smoky Lapsang Souchong tea and blood orange, with floral undertones.

And we can indulge without guilt: according to a recent issue of Natural Health magazine, dark chocolate offers fantastic health benefits, from lowering your blood pressure to decreasing your risk of heart disease. This is undoubtedly why chocolate has always played such a central role in my diet.

Kita is clearly passionate about what he does and it shows in every exquisitely designed detail. He creates stunning gift boxes and will ship orders from the website at www.oliverkita.com. The shop, which is also the central location for Oliver Kita's fine catering business, is located in Astor Square on Route 9 in Rhinebeck. It will be open Fridays through Mondays from 11 to 7, and on the Tuesdays and Wednesdays before major holidays. Call 845-876-COOK.