A common talking point I hear in kitchens and other culinary-inclined circles relates to the ever-expanding display of food trends taking over the country. Everyone has an opinion about which are valuable and which are annoying, especially those who have a lengthy career in the industry. Of all the trendy food-centric concepts that emerged over the past decade, the one that irks me most is the self-serve frozen yogurt monstrosity that took over the country in the mid-late 2000’s.

We’ve all experienced it. You walk in, choose your cup, dispense the ice cream-like substance from the machine (or someone does it for you because…COVID) and choose from a smattering of toppings and sauces before paying by the ounce.

It was a concept designed to push our novelty buttons, and it worked. It was, and continues to be, a hit among the young and the young at heart, but at what cost? The problem comes in the form of quality, flavor and value. None of them are good, and the product isn’t nearly as healthy as the advertisements claim.

Innovation can be a wonderful thing as long as quality isn’t sacrificed in the process. Sometimes simplicty is key. I’d much rather drive the extra mile for a well-made scoop of chocolate in a waffle cone, all the while supporting a small business than scurry to the mall for a trendy bowl of dairy with no soul. The experience is always much more memorable.

Dancing Lion Chocolate – Manchester, NH – Flavor – Spicy Mexican Chocolate

Manchester’s main drag is far from the first place anyone would expect to find an esteemed chocolate shop, but right in the center of Elm Street, hiding in plain sight, is Dancing Lion Chocolate, a diminuitve shop with a massive reputation.

Master Chocolatier Richard Tango-Lowy opened his eye-popping storefront specializing in rare, bold and humanely-sourced chocolate in 2007. His bars, bon bons and chocolate sculptures are nearly too pretty to eat, but those that look beyond that hesitation are rewarded with an artists’ palate of complex flavors.

Each summer, Dancing Lion dives into the world of frozen desserts, offering a constantly rotating selection that’s just as gutsy and whimsical as their other offerings. The team prepares all flavors in small batches; two are available at any given time. Once one runs out, it’s time for something new.

Although not all flavors feature chocolate, there’s something amiss about visiting Dancing Lion and leaving without chocolate in hand. Case in point: Their Spicy Mexican chocolate ice cream, a recent flavor offered alongside fresh Cherries with Shaved Tanzania Chocolate, is a must for any chocolate ice cream connoisseur.

This ultra-rich scoop is made with intense, 75% dark Mexican chocolate and enhanced with chili and cinnamon. Rich and potent, with just enough spice to tickle the back of the throat, this is chocolate ice cream with soul. The high cocoa content translates to a profound chocolate flavor that’s intense but never bitter. Just a few licks is all it takes for it to coat the inside of the mouth while hits of cinnamon and chili dance a jitterbug on the tongue.

As an added perk, Dancing Lion makes their cones in-house, and the result is so far superior to the supermarket rendition, it’s almost unfair. They’re crispy, sweet and sturdy enough to hold two hefty scoops of the cold stuff. Although it’s impossible to go wrong with a couple of scoops in a cone, those wanting to gild the lily a bit can get their ice cream in other, flashier forms.

Frappes get blended up with the shop’s famous drinking chocolate, while their “Mayan Cooler” manifests as a scoop of ice cream with drinking chocolate poured over it. They also offer floats, egg creams and even a “Zen Brownie Sundae” that features two house-made brownies, two scoops of ice cream, mascarpone or crème fraîche, chocolate sauce, cocoa nibs and a square of chocolate. You might go into chocolate-induced cardiac arrest, but it’ll be worth it.

Although Dancing Lion may not be a traditional place to get your ice cream fix, it’s easily among the most satisfying, especially for anyone who’s ever found themselves getting chipper around chocolate.

Find Dancing Lion Chocolate at 917 Elm Street. Visit https://dancinglion.us/cacao/ or follow their social medias for up-to-date info about their ice cream, bars and other products.