Chocolate

Tom Forquer If someone asked you eat their business card, would you do it? Bob Fitzgerald's tastes pretty good. The owner of the Chocolate Print Connection, a franchise of the Chocolate Printing Company. is using a system developed by FISCO to print digital images on chocolate using FDA-approved edible ink. "Rather than giving a cigar out that costs you five dollars, you give out a lollipop with the kid's picture on it and the date of birth," he said.

Where’s it at: Häagen Dazs, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, (714) 754-7752 or 265 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach (949) 644-7555. What’s in it: This is a delectable dessert from the quality ice cream maker. It features signature Häagen Dazs ice cream with whipped topped and chocolate flavoring drizzled down the sides. Cost: $13.95 to $43.95 Why you should order it: This is one of several signature ice cream cakes made here and with 48 hours notice can be customized for any occasion.

When Danish duo Christian Toxboe and Laura Nielsen brought their gelato recipe to the U.S., they wanted to make it different. They wanted to make it nice. Using fresh, organic ingredients, they launched N'ice Cream: Nielsen's Homemade Gelato and Sorbet, a Venice Beach-based dessert and espresso shop. Each morning, 16 flavors are whipped up in-store using a formula that is lower in fat and sugar than traditional ice cream. "We opened on the notion that it is possible to bring a group of kids somewhere that moms don't have to be worried about artificial flavors and sweeteners," Toxboe said.

CHOCOLATE Besides being hunting dogs, Labrador retrievers are known for being great family dogs, with gentle dispositions. Chocolate is no different; he loves everyone. Alexander and his wife have raised Chocolate, who is now 6. Alexander says he is well trained and very smart. Now that Alexander has entered graduate school and moved into a smaller home, he wants Chocolate to live with a family with a backyard and time to devote to Chocolate, since he no longer can. Chocolate will be available to meet potential new pet parents in his home or -- for families with dogs -- at a neutral park location.

Deirdre Newman As freshman Meghan Cameron delicately dipped a strawberry into chocolate and twirled it around, "oohs" and "aaahs" emanated through the classroom. Meghan, a student in Janet Dukes' beginning foods class at Newport Harbor High School, was demonstrating how to make chocolate-covered strawberries during a lesson on chocolate baskets. Dukes' beginning food class students were elbow-deep in white and dark chocolate as part of their end-of-the-quarter project.

Marisa O'Neil Forget the bikini. It's Easter. Somewhere along the way, the Christian holiday became associated with jellybeans and chocolate bunnies. And chocolatier Bodega, which has its flagship store at South Coast Plaza and its factory in Costa Mesa, has some of the richest, darkest, most decadent bunnies in town. It's almost too decadent for some, at least temporarily. "Lots of people gave up chocolate for Lent," said employee Darla Sink as she tempted passers-by with free samples in front of the store.

I love the saying, "Life is uncertain, eat dessert first." I've taken this maxim to heart most of my life. Not only do I like to eat sweets (especially if there's chocolate involved), but I like to make them as well. So when a friend called to tell me about a class that taught chocolate making techniques, including chocolate baskets and chocolate "tuxedo" strawberries, I signed my name on the dotted line. The location was convenient, the instruction was superb, the cost was very reasonable and everyone had a wild time at Newport Harbor High School.

With Valentine's Day on a Monday this year, many couples are making more creative plans to celebrate. Restaurants are offering weekend-long deals, and many are offering special incentives like gift cards for Feb. 14 diners to entice people to dine out on a Monday. To get an idea of availability, visit opentable.com and peruse the offerings. Here are some of our favorite options, ranging from the traditional to the eccentric. Slow hands Spa Gregorie's is offering the chance to develop your massage technique repertoire for $15 per couple.

Once upon a time there was a magical dreamland with cascading chocolate fountains, sea-foam green vistas, glittery walkways and a pretty blond princess waving her wand at the castle gates. Everything in the magical world was deliciously sweet -- swirled lollipops, creamy caramel, whipped fluffy icing, and moist and chewy snicker doodle cookies -- and that made its inhabitants happy. This fairy tale, dreamt up by the mother-and-daughter team of Sondra and Allyson Ames, came true in the fall when Wonderland Bakery opened at the Bluffs shopping center in Newport Beach.

Like love and marriage, and a horse and carriage, some things go together so well, you hardly want to contemplate one without the other. If your classic pairings include dinner and a great flick, check out the Newport Beach Public Library's newest set of "Timeless Treasures." Shelved at the Central Library, the "Dinner and a Movie" collection features videos and DVDs paired with cookbooks that reflect their spirit. There are obvious duos, like "Forrest Gump" and "The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Cookbook," the latter offering an inspired catch of kabob, gumbo and Creole recipes.

When Danish duo Christian Toxboe and Laura Nielsen brought their gelato recipe to the U.S., they wanted to make it different. They wanted to make it nice. Using fresh, organic ingredients, they launched N'ice Cream: Nielsen's Homemade Gelato and Sorbet, a Venice Beach-based dessert and espresso shop. Each morning, 16 flavors are whipped up in-store using a formula that is lower in fat and sugar than traditional ice cream. "We opened on the notion that it is possible to bring a group of kids somewhere that moms don't have to be worried about artificial flavors and sweeteners," Toxboe said.

Call it a Seder for a sweet tooth. Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach plans two Passover Seders this year, one of which has an unusual main ingredient: chocolate. A "Chocolate Passover Seder," in which the traditional food and drink items are given a chocolate twist, will be hosted by the temple women's group and led by Rabbi Rayna Gevurtz at 7 p.m. April 7 in the main social hall. "This is just a way to have some fun before the seriousness of the Passover festival," said Gevurtz.

With Valentine's Day on a Monday this year, many couples are making more creative plans to celebrate. Restaurants are offering weekend-long deals, and many are offering special incentives like gift cards for Feb. 14 diners to entice people to dine out on a Monday. To get an idea of availability, visit opentable.com and peruse the offerings. Here are some of our favorite options, ranging from the traditional to the eccentric. Slow hands Spa Gregorie's is offering the chance to develop your massage technique repertoire for $15 per couple.

In just a few short years, Christopher Michael Chocolatier has easily become one of the most famous OC-based chocolatiers. As seen on “The Today Show,” his creations are sought throughout the country. Michael searches high and low for premium ingredients. He favors fair-trade Venezuelan chocolate, organic and fresh dairy products, homegrown herbs, and fruits picked from his family orchard. He combines spices and savory flavors to make unique creations like the popular Sizzling Bacon Bar, with crispy, blended into creamy milk chocolate, and get this, Pop Rocks for a sizzling bacon sensation in your mouth.

A group of 11 sixth-grade girls at Newport Heights Elementary has decided to give back to their school before they go on to seventh grade. Their medium? Thousands and thousands of cookies. The girls of the Students Thinking About Youth (STAY) club spend their spare time baking at one another’s homes, then bring the sweet treats to bake sales after school and at sporting events. “It’s really fun because we all get to hang out while we make cookies,” said Kate Hefner, 12. Each girl has her own responsibility, including cash management and trash collection.

OK, you really blew it. You totally forgot about Mother’s Day again this year, and you haven’t even thought about a gift. Don’t worry. There’s a time-tested cure all women appreciate: chocolates. This week we check in with Chris Michael, owner of Christopher Michael Chocolates in Newport Beach.   It’s almost Mother’s Day. Still time to get chocolate for Mom? And, if so, what do you recommend? Yes, there’s still time for buying some chocolates for Mother’s Day!

Where’s it at: Häagen Dazs, 3333 S. Bristol St., Costa Mesa, (714) 754-7752 or 265 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach (949) 644-7555. What’s in it: This is a delectable dessert from the quality ice cream maker. It features signature Häagen Dazs ice cream with whipped topped and chocolate flavoring drizzled down the sides. Cost: $13.95 to $43.95 Why you should order it: This is one of several signature ice cream cakes made here and with 48 hours notice can be customized for any occasion.

Where’s it at: Cefiore, 2801 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, (949) 723-1679 or 3305 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach (949) 566-0048 What’s in it: Nonfat frozen yogurt is mixed with cocoa, and there is a variety of toppings, including fresh fruit, cookie crumbles, Gummy bears, coconut and mixed nuts. Cost: 5-ounce, $3.95; 7-ounce, $4.95; 10-ounce, $5.95; and 13-ounce, $7.95. All come with three free toppings. Why you should order it: The nonfat frozen yogurt has developed a cult following with area residents because of its rich taste and low calories.

Where’s it at: The Cheesecake Factory, 1141 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, (949) 720-8333. What’s in it: This is a spin on the trademark dessert for the restaurant. The limited-edition 30th anniversary Chocolate Cake Cheesecake features dark chocolate and graham-cracker crust. Cost: $1.50 on July 30. Why you should order it: National Cheesecake Day is July 30, and the restaurant is offering a slice of cheesecake for $1.50, the same price as when the first location opened in 1978.

They claim it's less fattening than a McDonald's Big Mac, but how could it be? A fried slab of chicken sandwiches between two halves of a jelly doughnut? When Charlie Boghosian and his brother Tony, who run Chicken Charlie’s fried food stand at the Orange County Fair, had the culinary creation tested, it weighed in with slightly fewer calories than the Big Mac, Tony said. But the Crispy Cream Sandwich, as it’s dubbed, and the other food at Chicken Charlie’s isn’t part of the latest weight-loss fad. “We try to tell people not to count calories; leave your diets at home.