Editor Pick
Norman Love Confections
As if all the baked goods people like to give to each other over the holidays isn't enough, I was in serious need of some chocolate two days after Christmas. I heard of Norman Love Confections, and figured I would give it a try. I wasn't expecting much because I don't normally like fancy chocolate (I'm a Hershey's girl) and there aren't many restaurants in Florida that are memorable.
So, we made our drive to Norman Love. It's located close to the airport, so I would guess it would be a good place to stop to get last minute gifts before leaving SW Florida. It's on a not fully developed street, so it isn't crowded, but it is possible to miss. It's a simple looking store on the outside. The inside is tastefully decorated in earth-tone, or chocolate-type colors. There are a couple of tables with seating for two. The display case is filled with various types of chocolate and pastry. Chocolate varieties include key lime, orange, mint, and almost anything else imaginable. I got a cookies and cream chocolate piece, my man got a pumpkin chocolate. We shared a blondie (a white brownie) and each got a coffee. The total was under $10 - not bad.
The coffee was coffee. The blondie was the most delicious I've ever had. We savored every bite. It had the perfect amount of sweet combined with the perfect amount of doneness. Yummy. Amazing. My cookies and cream chocolate piece's recipe should be the prototype for all cookies and cream chocolates. It was smooth and creamy and all I wanted was another one. The pumpkin was a nice surprise and fitted the holiday season.
Before we left, we noticed a couple that was there early got all set up to do a tour of the chocolate-making facility. It was at least a 15 minute tour. We didn't have the time to do it, but I would suggest others go earlier to do the tour. It didn't seem to cost anything.
I recommend the place to anyone who takes a trip down there. The staff are just as sweet as their chocolate. You can tell they love what they do. It is a nice, even fancy, chocolate place, but is filled with the laid-back southern charm SW Florida is known for.
From journal Ft. Myers, Florida: A Holiday in the Sun