RI’s Tastiest Factory Outlet: Garrison Confections

Friday, December 02, 2011

GoLocalProv Food Team

Take a bite: Andrew Shotts' remarkable confections

When you think factory outlet, your mind may dwell on off-market clothing, sporting goods, or linens and bedding.

Think chocolate. And this season, Rhode Island's most delicious factory store, Garrison Confections, is open every weekend until Christmas, plus one special week leading into the big day itself.

This may involve multiple visits.

Lovers of fine confections (and food television) know that chocolatier Andrew Shotts works at the top of the form. Fewer know that he does so from an innocuous factory on Ledge Street in Central Falls. Fewer still that Shotts has outfitted a cozy little retail space right on the premises. That's where the sweet deals are.

What to buy

You can't go wrong at Garrison. Every one of Shotts' handmade, artisan chocolates is refined and beautiful. Newbies should begin with his collections of seasonal collections of truffles, as they are a Garrison signature. Purists should consider picking up Tablets, which are molded in traditional bars but range from pure, extra-bittersweet dark chocolate to a dark chocolate with spicy habanero oil, to white chocolate infused with the flavor of lime, to a virtuoso dark chocolate with dried blueberries, salt and cocoa nibs.

Need a hostess gift?

How about Crispy Crunchies, which are sweet bags of craggy mounds of almonds, candied orange peel, pistachios and crispy rice cereal with an assortment of dark, milk and white chocolate? Shotts has also turned his hand to that French showstopper, the delicate macaron. Another crowd-pleaser: Shotts' Ultimate Toffee, which he says he spent six months perfecting. No doubt.

No matter what the find, you'll find yourself programming this Central Falls address into your GPS.

Garrison Factory Store, 72 Ledge St, Central Falls. Open Dec 1-3, 8-10, 15-23, 11am-6pm. 725-0790. www.garrisonconfections.com.

For more holiday food and wine, stay tuned to GoLocalTV fresh every day at 4pm and on demand 24/7, here.

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Comments:

Geoff Meek

12:16pm on Friday, December 02, 2011

Here's some details over the past year for further reading:

http://therhodelesstraveled.com/?s=garrison