Amanda ("Lilly") and Joshua Montague are the owners and creators of Lilly's Handmade Chocolates, which resides in Tremont. This atmosphere of her store is the closest feeling of Paris that Cleveland has to offer!! Ms. Montague is a graduate of Johnson & Wales' culinary program. She mastered her craft at home and then took to retail!! Joshua (her husband) is the executive chef at the nearby Tremont Tap House.
When you first walk into Lilly's, you are struck by two things;
1. It is VERY clean and sterile – yet warm and inviting!
2. Lilly's hot pink theme – from the walls to her hair.
The retail space is very tastefully done!! The store has hardwood floors, the West wall is painted black and has hot pink wallpaper stripes (Lilly imported the wallpaper from England – it was not cheap but it is very chic!), the East wall is lined with beers (I didn't get a good look at the beers but they all looked very different and interesting!), and in the middle of the room is an Icarus Lamp Fixtuer! I am addicted to this light fixture. (Two reasons: the Greek in me, the Greek Mythological tale of Icarus and the airiness of the fixture!!!) The counter features her handmade chocolate truffles – they are hand painted and displayed like little diamonds in a case!! Finally – there is Lilly herself – she is a cross between Gwen Stephanie and Lilly Allen! The hot pink hair for sure but also a strong sense of self/personal style!! The space, smells, and warm welcome instantly make you want to try every chocolate and become a daily patron!
Lilly offers a variety of handcrafted truffles – 19 to be exact (approx. HA) The names of the truffles are as fun as her store; ie: Southern Gentleman, Midnight, Ruby, and Breakfast are just a couple! My personal favorite was the key Lime Truffle!! OMG – It was like eating pie but in heaven! The chocolates are simply divine because they are made fresh daily, without artificial additives, flavorings, or preservatives, the chocolates are amazing. A box of six pieces goes for $11, a dozen for $22, or 15 for $27.
Lilly Handmade Chocolates
761 Starkweather Avenue
216-771-3333
www.lillytremont.com
Hours are:
Tuesday through Thursday: noon to 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The shop is closed Mondays.
Go and try it – it is the most romantic place!!!!!
The Montague's and Their Chocolate Factory!
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
more explanation marks, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHE DIDNT EVEN GRADUATE FROM JOHNSON AND WALES!
Don't hate
The author must be a friend of theirs. We found it good, but not great , interesting , but way overpriced for the Cleveland Market!
The type of place you will try once , but not return again.
If you want to go and purchase some chocolates and feel totally ripped-off when you finish them….this is the place.
While all feedback is good, this is harsh!
Lilly is not a friend but I really did enjoy her products and thought the prices were good comparatively. I don't believe she has raised her prices?!.
Sorry your experience was miz! Thank you for being a reader – looking forward to more of your thoughts.
While watching fox 8 cleveland, Robin Swaboda's show I first heard of Lilly's. While in the beginning I was very excited to try her chocolate, by the end I was not. Robin (the host) asked to sample a piece and without gloves, tongs, anything, Amanda (the owner) bare handed the choloates and handed them to her.
So, the sanitary comment in the article above is kicked to the curb. If she does that on television for all to see, how clean are they while the are making the chocolate when there are no eyes to see? No hating, just stating the disgusting facts. Even if it's not a common practice to wear gloves, at least do it on television.
I'm sure the feature is in the archives at fox8cleveland, under That's life with Robin Swaboda, search the archives.