Were it not for the breathtakingly fine smell of chocolate, one
might think that this confectionery shop was a magnificent workshop of
a goldsmith due to its futuristic ambience. Like jewels, the pralines – all
hand-made, of course, and based on the owner’s designs – are presented
on the curved counter. Fruit truffles in soft violet, red or green, with
perfect surfaces and gold dust décor that looks like it was added with
an airbrush: the designs are just as sophisticated and delightful as the
flavours. “This is crazy, isn’t it?”, remarks Oliver Holy as he gives you
a tour through the products. “You must try the mango truffles! My
entire family loves them.” – “You have to eat the caramel sea salt praline
whole; because it has a liquid filling.” And as the chocolate melts on your
tongue, you realise that the statement once made by Markus Lüpertz
about his custom-tailored shirts and glamorous rings applies to all of
them – to the chocolates and the watches, the Nymphenburg porcelain
and the art and, basically, to all things about which Oliver Holy becomes
infectiously enthusiastic: all these things are “compliments to life”.
However, while it may have sounded a bit grumpy and pretentious
coming out of the mouth of the painter-prince from Düsseldorf, it is
entirely unpretentious and characterised by Swabian modesty with
regard to Oliver Holy.
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