Galler Opening & Blogger Meet Up!

Wow, Hala and the Khalaf clan sure know how to throw a party  (AND FREE WIRELESS). Last night, MommaBean and I attended the opening of Galler Chocolatier, and it was, on all fronts, a delightful and fun experience. Just so we are all clear, I DID NOT attend just for free chocolate, I had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Jean Galler beforehand and then just watch all the beautiful people walk in. (Now, when did the mag call and ask if I could interview him? At 4pm. Right. But for chocolate, I’ll do just about anything).

Hala was drop-dead gorgeous, and the perf hostess. She claims she was running around like a chicken on umm…well, something, bas au contraire, she was the image of controlled European chic. Mr. Khalaf was in his element, working the diplomatic crowd as well as the chocoholic strata of Amman’s elite (OK, I shouldn’t use that term so lightly when including Mayor Omar Maáni. How about chocolate connoisseur?), Yes, a chip off the old block (or whatever that metaphor is); I see where Hala gets some of her charisma. MB and I got to meet her mom (who I can just see now asking H about photos on Facebook) and younger bro Kareem (did I forget to say FREE WIRELESS?).

The chocolate. OH THE CHOCOLATE. I am finished, finito, fertig, khalas, with this place in town, I will be both fat and poor. I decided Galler’s arrival is just part of the vast VY conspiracy to insure new customers. They even make marzipan taste good, which is one of the few sweet things I don’t care for (but with FREE WIRELESS, I’ll eat marzipan all day long).

One fun surprise was the number of blogger-types in attendance, it was like an impromptu meet-up (yea, I think Galler will be the new venue of choice). MB and I were chatting away between trays of delicious small brown offerings, and lo and behold this smiling foreign guy walks up to the table and greets us. IT WAS DAVE THE AMERICAN BLOGGER! He is just as funny and interesting in real life **AND HE IS DROP DEAD CUTE, AS IS HIS WIFE. I ALREADY OFFERED THEM A MODELING CONTRACT. HE IS ALSO HUMBLE, AND DECLINED** . He called Jad to see if he was coming, then Jad arrived! Jad was a sight for sore eyes, it was a delight to talk to him again (and Jad will be back because of FREE WIRELESS).

Then we saw some tousled brunette heads brushing the ceiling and realized the Assi clan made an appearance. Roba and her entourage of tall brothers (they are SO tall I almost forget how many of them there are), and ta-da…drumroll…The MOOSE! Yes. Khateeb Roba, oo Um Moose kamaan (ma a7la eye-nha!). YES indeed, this man has a sense of humor worthy of her (well, he knew who Kinzi was, what more can I say?). PLUS, he also sweeps the ceiling in height. Tell ya, they are going to inject some very basketball-friendly DNA into Jordan’s future. Well, inshala’allah.

Hala then introduced me to new PrivAnon blogger-girl, very sweet and full of undiscovered mystery. Just a bit later Salam and hubby arrived and the conversation quickly turned to cookies and kids, favorite mommy blogger topics. Not to mention the FREE WIRELESS.

The generous Khalafs did not just serve us goodies all night, they sent us home with bags of it too! Now Momma Bean, I am NOT giving the cute cat-shaped chocolate pieces to the kounouz. THEY can have cheap Turkish chocolate, the European stuff is the exclusive domain of parents only for us, so PLEASE (since I KNOW you will share because you are such a nice mom) don’t mention them to my kids!

A delightful evening indeed. Here is the article I wrote about Galler for the December issue of Luxury (Hala edited, so you don’t have to worry about spelling errors):

GALLER CHOCOLAT – THE RESTAURANT AND TASTING HOUSE

Chocoholics take note: this month, Amman will join the ranks of world-class cities such as Brussels, Paris and London with the opening of Galler in Abdoun.

(AND, INTERNET-AHOLICS, THERE IS FREE WIRELESS)

This is not just another chocolate store, but a completely new experience in taste, form and presentation of one of our favorite vices. Warning: once you have tasted Galler chocolate, your average chocolate bar from your friendly, neighborhood grocer will never be more than just junk food.

It is obvious from the moment one walks in that this is a luxury establishment, stamped with old-world European balanced by EU inspired simplicity. The attention to detail is evident in every corner; a space of minimalist expression with maximum visual impact. The entry area downstairs has the all the types of chocolate that is for sale displayed, but the upstairs is an elegant retreat, inviting you in to sit and contemplate life. The calming autumnal orange theme is followed throughout: in the upholstery, lamps and even the Galler signature porcelain teapots and cups. The shop, described as Galler Chocolat-Thé, is a two-in-one kind of concept, because it is both a chocolatier where customers can buy the products, but is also a tea shop-style restaurant.

This is a place not just to eat, but to rest. “Galler will inspire generations of Jordanians to take ‘having a cup of something hot as a break’ to a whole other level,” said franchisee Ghazi Khalaf. One of those items included in “something hot” also contains a history lesson: there is an amazing ‘Hot Chocolate Through the Centuries’ option on the menu. The customer is served three small cups of hot chocolate, one from the 14th century, one from the 16th century and one from the 18th century, so he or she can both taste and understand how the changes in spices used in hot chocolate over the years has evolved.

Hot chocolate not your cup of tea? Choose from more than thirty flavors of premium quality tea served in the traditional manner. Coffee lovers are far from forgotten; Galler provides nine different original blends to enjoy alongside your chocolate confection of choice. And you’ll never be allowed to leave without a complimentary taste of their chocolate pralines.

The Amman Galler will be open all day long, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between. The menu will include sandwiches, salads, foccacias, brioche, soups, pastries, ice cream and other deserts. What will set Galler apart from other cafés in Amman? The use of cacao as an ingredient in the dishes offered. (WHILE YOU USE OUR FREE WIRELESS)

Chocolate in food? Rather than chocolate, think cacao used as a condiment or spice. The result is astonishingly delicious, as evidenced in a most unique item: cacao soup. The culinary creative genius of founder Jean Galler was not an accidental discovery. He was born into a luxury dessert environment. He liked working in his grandfather’s 1930s era confectioner’s shop, and he hasn’t wavered in his passion since then. At only sixteen years old, young Jean was inspired by chocolate and began experimenting with it at as a material. He developed his talent and expanded his knowledge, studying in Basel, Switzerland, and later with Gaston Lenôtre in Paris. At twenty-one-years-old, he launched his own enterprise. Thirty years later, his foundational values remain the same: passion for chocolate, love of perfection, continual creativity. In 1994, the company was appointed the Belgian Royal Warrant Holder, a prestigious award presented to those who show exceptional passion, devotion and innovation in their work. Consequently, the Royal family of Belgium has selected Galler as the court’s exclusive provider of chocolate and chocolate gift items.

And the gift items, oh, the gift items! They carry beautifully designed gift boxes and leather trays holding any amount from 125gr for a mere taste to one kilogram for your favorite friend. The special Valentine’s chocolate heart is boxed in what looks like a laced-up corset. If you dare share these chocolates with your children, they will delight in the whimsically shaped and individually packaged Langues de Chat, or “Cat’s Tongue” collection, inspired by a Belgian cartoon character created by Philippe Geluck.

So that everyone can enjoy fine chocolate, regardless of any personal restriction, Galler presents a fine collection of sugar-free options, especially in their chocolate tablet range. In addition to more flavors and varieties of chocolate delicacies than could ever be listed, including pralines that contain everything from curry to seaweed, Jean Galler has created four chocolate spreads that will ensure the Nutella jar will start gathering dust in the cupboard. Imagine the taste of spread-able Caramel, Noisette, Noir or Café replacing frosting on your favorite baked confections. They are to live for delicious.

We were allowed the privilege of a sneak peek and taste preview, but Galler’s official opening to the public won’t be until mid-December. The grand opening will be attended by His Excellency Johan Indekeu, the Ambassador of Belgium to Jordan, and Mr. Jean Galler himself will be flying in to attend the gala event. There are even rumors that Mayor Omar Maani might stop by. And who can blame him? It’ll be a haven of free chocolate come opening day!

Since Galler will be open just in time for Eid Al Adha and Christmas, make sure you stop by and see how your holiday could be enhanced. I will be, as I use their FREE WIRELSS!.

“I imagined a place reminiscent of my childhood, tea-time at my grandmother’s, the air filled with the sweet scent of pie fresh from the oven. A place to see and find out everything about chocolate, a place where all its range of tastes, from restrained to unbelievable, can be discovered. Finally, a place where there is the ability to create, to dare and to share chocolate cuisine. From my chocolate-inspired dream, Chocolat-Thé was born.” Jean Galler

A chocolate connoisseur’s tips for MAXIMUM chocolate taste experience:

• Solid chocolate and filled chocolate should not be savored in the same way.
• Solid chocolate should be taken in small pieces, put on the tongue and left to melt. This allows the taster to experience the flavors’ release. Afterwards, the chocolate should be lightly passed between the tongue and the palate to enjoy the texture.
• In contrast, a filled chocolate should be bitten into several times, so that the chocolate shell is mixed with the interior filling, thus making it possible to appreciate the balance that the chocolate-maker has tried to create.
• Don’t forget, FREE WIRELESS enhances the flavor as well.