Somerville Chocolate Shop Recognized As One Of The Best In The Country
SOMERVILLE (CBS) -- This Somerville building may look ordinary, but it conceals a delicious secret inside. They are miniature masterpieces made of chocolate.
Being open for just five years, EHChocolatier has already been recognized as being the "Best in Boston."
Now, the locally owned chocolate shop ranks as one of the best in the country.
"Everything is made in small batches," says Catharine Sweeney.
"We bring a lot of crafting in from sort of old style while intermingling it with new flavors," said Elaine Hsieh.
Every day, Hsieh and Sweeney create tiny, edible works of art.
However, when the two women started their careers, chocolate was not on the menu.
"I worked for the admissions and financial aid office at Harvard college," said Sweeney.
"I was an internist, so I practiced medicine for a number of years," Hsieh said.
They began small, making chocolates and confections for close friends and family during the Christmas holidays.
"They were so well received that when Catharine and I were both at a point where we could stop our work, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do something like this together," Hsieh said.
Using Elaine's initials, EHChocolatier was born.
In the beginning, some local gourmet shops featured their creations then a large company order came in.
"I looked at Elaine and I said, 'Do you know who they are?' she goes, 'No, I don't. Somebody's just ordering chocolate from us, that doesn't know who we are?' so that was kind of like this 'wow,'" Sweeney said.
"Wow" is a term in which they've grown accustomed to hearing from satisfied customers.
"I didn't know that chocolate could be appear any better or taste any better." said one customer.
They have been named the "Best in Boston" for two years straight.
"To make it not just one year, but two years in a row, it was phenomenal," said Hsieh.
The New York Times once chose their salted caramel domes, as the "Best in Box."
This month, USA Today declared EHChocolatier to be one of the top ten chocolate spots for Valentine's Day treats.
"When you give it as a gift, or you take it for yourself, you realize just how special they are," said Hsieh.
"We really put our heart and soul into it, and it really, we make them so that, to make people happy," said Sweeney.
Elaine also says that they hope to expand their small retail counter inside of the chocolate kitchen.
Normally, they're only open during the week but the Somerville location will be open on Saturday, a special before the Valentine's Day rush.
For more information visit: www.ehchocolatier.com
