REVIEW

Shoreline candy shops are a dime-a-dozen, and few are worthy of any serious attention (though, for sure, we’ve purchased our share of pastel-colored taffy, and tooth-achingly sweet fudge). An exception is Monica’s Chocolates, located a few hundred feet from the Canadian border in the Maine town of Lubec. Lubec is probably best known to travelers as the point at which one crosses by bridge to Campobello Island. Let it hereafter be also known for world-class chocolate.

Monica uses an organic Italian marzipan in her exquisite Marzipan Cremes.

A small sign directs visitors to the candy kitchen and store. There one encounters Monica, a native of Peru and the owner of Monica’s, and a force of nature. We couldn’t help but be drawn in by her unbounded enthusiasm and perfectionism as she described the organic Italian marzipan, and Peruvian Pisco (a type of brandy similar to grappa) that she uses in her creations. All the while, she’s grabbing samples and cutting them up for us to try, and the more we swooned the more she cut.

Monica also makes traditional Maine sweets like Needhams, which are filled with a combination of coconut and, believe it or not, potatoes!

The chocolate-covered marzipan is just astounding, the most perfect expression of marzipan candy we’ve ever had. And the pistachio paste-filled chocolates were equally terrific, and unusual. Monica makes her own version of peanut butter cups that will make you all but forget Reese’s. We left with bags and packages of chocolates.

Monica’s Chocolates will ship by mail (we know from repeated experience), and can also be found in many shops around Maine, and a few shops elsewhere (including one in Canada and one as far away as Colorado). Anyone traveling to the Canadian Maritimes by car would be well-advised to make an in-person stop at the shop, and load up for the trip ahead. You’ll want to stop on your way home, too.

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FOOD: 

BEST THING TO EAT: Marzipan Cremes