Belgian Chocolatier Piron: The best Belgian Chocolate is as close as Evanston

This is a shop you will be led to by your nose. In the middle of Evanston's Main Street shopping district is the beautifully appointed and grand tasting Belgian Chocolatier Piron. 

Behind this small store front you will find what is considered to be among the finest chocolates in the Chicagoland region. Founded in 1984 by the Piron family, today it has customers across the globe as well as down the street.   Uncertain of a life career, Bob Piron took a suggestion from his parents Yvonne and Robert Piron to study the art of chocolate making in their native Belgium. 

For nearly two years he apprenticed with one of the country's most esteemed chocolatiers. Gifted at the art, he returned to Chicago's North Shore, soon bringing ganache, truffles, barks and pralines to Evanston. Twenty-five years later, Piron has created trademark pieces, specializing in both milk and dark chocolates.   Cream Carmel Mocha, the Patrice Praline with ground wafer and dark ganache--but to name a few--can cause an addiction. White and dark chocolates swirl to make a conch shell. Chili pepper dusts the top of a petite square.

 Half moons of dark chocolate cover a dried apricot and blanket an orange peel. Behind the scenes--all the candies are made on the premises--chocolate cascades from the enrober, molds of various forms--squirrels, rabbits, swans, sleighs, eggs and Santa’s--line shelves. The cooler--ah, the cooler--is filled with trays of the fresh delicacies.   And if the chocolates aren't delicious and beautiful enough, the Piron gold-box packaging will more than please.

 Chocolates are sold by the piece or by weight by a wonderful staff that will be apt to tell you the shop's history. A half-pound is $19.98, a pound, $39.98. In addition to individual chocolates, Piron imports bars from around the world. If you're a first-time visitor to Piron, go off-holiday when the line isn't forming out the door.

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