Pierre Marcolini opens at Ala Moana Center

Nadine Kam photos
Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I know I would want a few treats from Pierre Marcolini. Pictured are Pierre Marcolini’s signature ganache with the finest chocolate from Venezuela, Ghana and Peru, flavored with fresh vanilla, and Coeur Framboise, raspberry ganache coated in white chocolate.

BY NADINE KAM

You think you know what your favorite chocolate is. Think again. Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini will change your mind when he welcomes chocolate lovers to his new boutique in the new Ala Moana Center Ewa Wing, for a grand opening celebration from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 30.

The acclaimed chocolatier was named grand winner in his class at the “Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie” (World Champion of Pastry) in 1995. Since then, he has earned several accolades, including being inducted into “Le Salon du Chocolate Hall of Fame” in Paris in 2014, and becoming a new certified supplier to the Belgian royal family last month.

You don’t feed royals anything less than pure chocolate ganaches. Biting into each delicate piece, you’ll be able to taste the distinctive notes of chocolate sourced from independent farmers in Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Madagascar, Ghana, Vietnam, Java, Cameroon, Cuba and Mexico. All the chocolates are made in Brussels.

Photo courtesy Pierre Marcolini
Pierre Marcolini talks story with one of his cacao growers. The chocolatier recently opened shop at Ala Moana Center’s new Ewa Wing and will be in town to meet fans of his fine chocolate.

Visit marcolini-hawaii.com or call (808) 951-0456.

Here’s a peek at what is being offered at the new chocolate boutique, and it’s just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Nadine Kam photos
A selection of Hawaii-exclusive “Marine Life” chocolates is priced at $23 for seven pieces presented in a boxed collection, below.

You will cast your Nutella aside after sampling Pierre Marcolini's Casse-Noisette Pâte à Tartiner, a creamy spread of cocoa and roasted Piedmont hazelnuts.

One of Pierre Marcolini’s chocolate tablets.

The Pierre Marcolini window on the third floor of Ala Moana Center's Ewa Wing.

 —————
Nadine Kam is Style Editor and staff restaurant critic at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; her coverage is in print on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact her via email at nkam@staradvertiser.com and follow her on Twitter, Instagram and Rebel Mouse.