I went to Leonidas, a chocolate shop located a 2-minute walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. It is a chocolate brand that is appointed by the Belgian royal family. I bought two pieces of chocolate, Manon Café (limited edition) with 103kcal per piece and Forever with 70.9kcal per piece, which cost 480 yen. Manon Café is the best-selling product worldwide, available only from autumn to spring. It has a coffee-flavored cream with whole hazelnuts on top, coated with white chocolate. The subtle coffee aroma, elegant sweetness, and rich white chocolate matched perfectly, making it a wonderful chocolate. Forever has a cute heart shape and is made of milk chocolate, so it may appeal to everyone. I wish I had bought more of Manon Café. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Package sales are also available, making it convenient for gifts for celebrations or Valentine's Day returns. The milk chocolate waffles were apparently limited edition and won't be available for a while, which is a shame. The main attraction is the Seris Amber, a chocolate with cherries inside.

Customer service was attentive at Choco, which is located near Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. It's a bit hidden so it can be hard to find. I visited on a holiday at 3 pm and the store was empty, with only one staff member working. I was told by a friend that they offer samples, but maybe due to COVID, they weren't doing that. It was a bit disappointing that the staff didn't explain much unless I initiated the conversation. I bought a set of 4 truffles for 500 yen, which were delicious, but I probably won't purchase again. If you're looking for chocolates, I recommend Catel instead. Overall, it was a decent experience. Oh, and they accept PayPay.

"I received this for Valentine's Day"

It was hot and I felt like eating something cold, so I decided to go in. It's a chocolate shop with a cafe space as well. However, there are only four tables, so it's a bit limited. I ordered the recommended Tiramisu shaved ice. I had tried a chocolate shaved ice at a different cafe before, but the flavor was so diluted by the ice that it didn't taste like anything. Let's see how this one is. It arrived in about 5 minutes. The appearance is shaved ice with chocolate powder sprinkled on top, definitely resembling Tiramisu. I took a bite. Hmm, this is definitely Tiramisu. The ice part, which is supposed to be ice, has the same texture and flavor as the cream part of a regular Tiramisu. I think there is powder sprinkled inside the ice as well. With a normal shaved ice, the flavor is only on the surface, but this one is Tiramisu all the way through, so you can enjoy the taste until the last bite. The only downside is that it melts quickly, so you have to eat it quickly before it melts.

Located near Akasaka-Mitsuke Station, there is a chocolate shop called Leonidas. I always passed by and was curious about it, but never had the chance to go in until now. The shop is quite small but has a wide selection of chocolates to choose from. This time, I tried the pralines and truffles. Truffles: The ganache was softer than I expected, melting in my mouth and leaving a gentle sweetness as it dissolved. The dark chocolate had a strong cocoa flavor with minimal acidity, making it enjoyable even for those who don't like bitter chocolate. It was rich and satisfying, with a deep cocoa taste. The milk chocolate truffle had a mild sweetness and a creamy flavor, providing a smooth and mellow taste experience. Pralines: The white chocolate had a distinct cocoa butter richness and flavor. The contrast between the crispy texture and the smooth caramel sweetness created a harmonious balance. The addition of raspberry in two of the pralines added a refreshing sweet and sour twist, blending perfectly with the chocolate. Both the truffles and pralines had a perfect combination of flavors, making them delicious treats. I regret not going into the shop sooner. These chocolates are a great gift option or a treat for yourself. Highly recommended!

Compared to Godiva, a Belgian player with a chain presence that may not be as well-known but is reliable in times of need, this shop is like a local bank rather than a mega bank. Despite being a purveyor to the Belgian royal family, the prices are not as high as one might expect, with around 1000 yen for 5-6 chocolates. My favorite is the Truffe Noisette. When you bite into it, the thin outer chocolate layer melts, spreading the ganache inside throughout your mouth. At around 100 yen per piece, it's a delightful treat that won't break the bank. The packaging is simple, but that doesn't bother me since I eat them myself. In a world where chocolates are becoming more upscale and priced at around 300 yen per piece, I find comfort in the familiar taste of this shop. It's a place where I can treat myself to a piece as a daily reward, and that makes me happy.

I bought it as a souvenir for someone and also got some for myself. It was about 6 years ago when I bought it at a shop in Ginza. I remember it was a high-end chocolate similar to Godiva for Valentine's Day. They sold it by weight, and I think it was around 200 yen per piece. I've been cutting back on sweets lately due to drinking alcohol, but I used to love sweets, so I tried various kinds. I thought that when it comes to chocolate, the price reflects the quality. In that sense, whether it's Godiva or this shop, it's bound to be delicious. I've had it in the past and it was delicious, and since you can choose your own favorite chocolate, although it may be a bit expensive, I think it's worth it. I didn't know they also have a shop in Akasaka, but I think it's good for souvenirs.

I went shopping at Leonidas♪ February 21, 2013 Theme: + Sweets & Desserts & Bread + I bought my favorite Leonidas Orangette for the first time in a while♪ Of course, it's for whiskey pairing (´艸｀) When my mom said she hasn't had Orangette in a while, I couldn't resist and bought some on my way home from work♪ As always, the combination of orange peel and dark chocolate is perfect! It was delicious~ everydaysmiling・・・・・ Chocolate is a great pairing with alcohol!

There is a Belgian chocolate shop in Akasaka. The shop is known for its wide variety of milk and white chocolates. Compared to other famous Belgian shops, the prices here are more affordable. I bought some chocolates as a gift for my subordinate, and also got two for myself. The Maron Cafe White is said to be the most popular in the world. It is a coffee-flavored chocolate with fresh cream. The rich white chocolate is delicious. I also tried the Noisette Masc, a praline with hazelnuts. There are three flavors available - dark, milk, and white, and I chose the dark one. It tastes like classic chocolate and is also delicious. The total price for two chocolates was 390 yen. I will continue to be a loyal customer in the future.

I went to a shop expecting high-end Belgian chocolate, but it turned out to be a nostalgic tasting chocolate. It has a strong milk flavor, a powerful sweetness, and a thick, heavy melt-in-your-mouth texture. It feels familiar, like a taste I've always loved. I realized I've been eating a lot of hard, intense cocoa-flavored chocolates lately. The moment a sweet praline melts on your tongue is truly a blissful experience.

Leonidas. I had never bought it before because I see it everywhere, including Akasaka Mitsuke. This time, I received it as a gift. Noah's Ark Mask: A hazelnut praline with a stable flavor, with a whole hazelnut inside. It is stable and not too fancy, with a straightforward taste. It has a somewhat retro flavor. It is quite big, as you can see from the comparison with the 1 yen coin in the photo, and even one piece has a lot of eating satisfaction. Calé Clocan: It means square and crispy. It has relatively large rice puffs, occasionally sprinkled inside. I was surprised that they were not more evenly distributed. Well, it's like a high-end Crunch bar. The chocolate flavor is really intense. Intense and simple. After eating three pieces, it's my limit. It's not bad for a chocolate I received, but it's just a little tasty. I would rate it 3.5 stars. I'm not sure about the price though...

I wonder how long ago it was when I first ate chocolate truffles. In the past, when it came to luxury chocolates, it was usually as souvenirs from overseas... I think the first time I heard the name truffle was probably when I tried Godiva. Later on, Godiva became available in Japan and I was shocked by the price. It was indeed delicious, but when I thought that one piece of chocolate was the same price as a cake, being frugal, I would choose the cake without hesitation. A few years later, I found Leonidas at a Valentine's Day special section. I tried this chocolate without even knowing its name, and it was Leonidas. It was similar to Godiva, but cheaper than Godiva and just as delicious. At that time, there weren't many stores around. Later, a friend wanted to visit a chocolate shop in Daikanyama, and it turned out to be Leonidas again. I was told there were other stores as well. After a long time, I visited the Akasaka store. It's always fun for me to choose chocolates while looking through the window. Most pralines come in dark and milk chocolate, with white chocolate occasionally. I always choose milk chocolate. The pieces are quite large. After choosing, you pay by weight. They put them in a golden square box for you. The orange peel covered in chocolate, known as Peel Chocolat, is popular as a snack with liquor, and the fresh fruit jelly has a rich fruit flavor. They often offer samples in the store. While reading a review by P. Eater, I couldn't help but leave a comment, worried that it might come across as nitpicking. But then I found a picture, so I ended up writing a review. Overall, the chocolates here have straightforward flavors that satisfy my childlike taste buds. Plus, they are a bit cheaper compared to similar chocolates, and the fact that there aren't too many stores adds to the sense of superiority. ...As I was writing this and researching, I was surprised to find out that a store that used to only be in Tokyo and Kanagawa has expanded its presence all the way to Okayama. Tokyo alone has 8 stores. They also have a stamp card, which is a nice bonus for someone like me who buys chocolates often. However, it can get really crowded before Valentine's Day, so I recommend going with some extra time to spare. Leonidas is a Belgian chocolate shop, and their website states, "In the early 1900s, Greek confectioner Leonidas Kestekidis, who had emigrated to the United States, founded the company in Belgium in 1913." The Greek-sounding name seems to have that origin.

Oh my, the other day I brought a bottle of Grand Echezeaux as a thank you for the wine I was treated to, but in the end, I still ended up being treated to a meal. To top it off, I even received a souvenir on my way out. It turned into a gift exchange! I tried the orange-flavored chocolate from "Leonidas" and it was so refreshing. The souvenir was more than I expected, thank you for the treat!

The chocolates at Leonidas are mostly milk-based, which is great for me as I'm not a fan of bitter flavors. I didn't have much time, so I randomly selected some milk-based chocolates. It's rare that the chocolates here are sold by weight, which can make it a bit confusing to figure out the price. I bought quite a lot, but it came to around 1500 yen in total, which is relatively affordable for chocolates. The taste is on the sweeter side compared to other stores. Leonidas (Akasaka branch) in Tokyo is located at 3-9-18 Akasaka, Minato-ku.

When I'm tired, I always keep a little snack in the office to raise my blood sugar. It's risky, but better than having a non-functional brain... Usually, I go for Japanese sweets (like wasanbon) or chocolate. I often buy Pierre Marcolini at Haneda, but in other areas, I go for Godiva in Aoyama, Shiodome, or Akasaka. And also Leonidas. Since they have more stores now, I don't buy them as often. I usually buy the same things here. Mendiant: chocolate with nuts and dried fruits on top. I prefer dark and milk chocolate. Orangette: orange peel coated in chocolate. Goes well with brandy. Sugar-Free: there are three types of chocolate - praline, coin, and dark/milk - made with a sugar substitute from malt sugar. Regardless of what you buy, it's 698 yen (tax included) for 100g, so it's a great value. Mendiant, which is labor-intensive, is light, so it feels like a good deal. Today, I bought 4 Mendiant, 5 Praline, 4 Finesse, and 2 Noisette - all for 1183 yen. Apart from chocolate, I recommend the assorted fruit jellies. They come in cute shapes and have a good shelf life, making them popular as petit fours for gifts or hospitality. On a side note, Leonidas is a common Greek name, and I used to think it was a Greek chocolate company until 3-4 years ago. By the way, Americans pronounce Godiva as "Godaiva".

Chocolate, what is it... I decided to look into it. Originally enjoyed as a delicacy and medicinal product in Central America, chocolate made its way to Europe during the Age of Exploration. Initially consumed as a liquid with spices like chili peppers, it eventually evolved into a solid form through various innovations. Techniques were developed to add dairy, sugar, and remove bitterness, resulting in the smooth texture we know today. The origin of the word "chocolate" is unclear, and there were disputes over its definition. Different countries, manufacturers, and artisans now offer a variety of chocolates for us to choose from. Belgian chocolate, known for its pralines, became popular throughout Europe due to advancements in chocolate-making techniques. From bitter, grainy chocolate to smooth, sweet milk chocolate, it transformed into a treat enjoyed by both children and adults. Leónidas, a Belgian chocolate brand with over 2,000 stores worldwide, offers affordable options compared to high-end brands like Pierre Marcolini. In Japan, Leónidas gives off a luxurious vibe, and their assorted thin plates are easy to handle. Upon tasting the chocolates, each with different cocoa ratios, flavors like orange, milk, nibs, and nuts stood out. The unique flavors were enjoyable, although some left a slightly sour aftertaste. Pairing them with a drink like coffee or tea might enhance the overall experience.

I found a chocolate shop that I would like to use daily if it were nearby. Unlike high-end chocolates, it lacks richness but has a friendly and approachable taste, and you can buy just one chocolate that you want to eat. When it comes to Leonidas, it's all about "Manon Café"! Recently, a milk flavor has been added to this flagship product. I bought both white and milk flavors, and personally, I preferred the milk one. The appearance is a big rectangular chocolate with a hazelnut inside, making the surface look cute and puffy. Inside, there is a fluffy coffee cream that is surprisingly light and goes down smoothly in the stomach. If you love chocolate, you'll easily reach for a second one. I also bought several limited edition truffles, and especially recommend the "Truffe Champagne" for its unique taste and texture. The "Moka," which is loved for its soft texture, was also delicious! I'm satisfied to have discovered another place with delicious chocolates. But with this, it seems like my habit of eating chocolate won't be changing anytime soon. (laughs)

LEONIDAS showcases a variety of delicious chocolates that are sold by weight. This chocolate shop from Belgium offers a wide selection of praline chocolates in milk, dark, and white varieties. I purchased a few for a taste test. The Noah's Hazelnut praline has a whole hazelnut inside, while the Mocha flavor has a coffee taste that I really enjoyed. The Casanova Rice Puff chocolate is great for kids with its crunchy texture, and the Truffle Coconut was also tempting. I picked my favorites and got 7 pieces for around 1300 yen. I can't wait to try the Mocha flavor again next time!