A plate of truffles with nuts and chocolate dusting tempts mightily. | David Leggett/Wikipedia
Here at VIA, we’ve got chocolate covered. Witness all the ink spilled on our favorite vice. In the last five years alone, we’ve paid homage to chocolate in scores of pieces. We’ve covered chocolate tours, chocolate shops, chocolate makers. We’ve published conversations with a chocolate queen (okay, she’s a cookbook author named Alice Medrich) and given you a rundown of the West’s best chocolate.
Along the way, we’ve forked over a factory’s worth of chocolate facts, all the while confessing to our abiding weakness. It’s not that we aren’t into strawberry and vanilla. There’s just something about chocolate that we can’t resist. Partly it’s the endless variety it comes in, and the edible artistry that it inspires. Then there is the bounty of chocolate-driven destinations: Theo Chocolate (have you tried their coconut curried chocolate?) in Seattle; the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory in Hawaii; and Snake & Butterfly, a purveyor of raw chocolate in San Jose.
Our list goes on, and we think it’s a good one. But, let’s face it, publishing a magazine is like putting together a box of chocolates: you never know if you’re leaving out something wonderful. So do us a favor. Read our chocolate coverage, and let us know what we might have overlooked. Tempting truffles in Tacoma? Chocolate bars in Benicia? We’ll be sure to investigate. Believe us, the pleasure will be all ours.
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Have you tried the absolutely delicious chocolates from The Chocolate Gypsy in Delta Junction, Alaska? They are so intense in flavo and such a large variety of hand made chocolates, beautifully boxed and delivered to you if you cannot make the trek to Ak. ChocolateGypsy.com PO Box 534, Delta Junction, Alaska, 1-907-255-3324. Look them up on the internet.
They make a great gift and even better to order for yourself!!!
Arrowhead Chocolates in Joseph, OR is fabulous! They have an incredible assortment of artisan dark and light chocolates. Almost every week it seems they have made something new–chili truffles, huckleberry truffles, things you have never imagined. If you ask for hot chocolate they use a spoon to drizzle it in, and then GIVE YOU THE SPOON TO LICK! Oh Rapture!
100 Main Street in Joseph, 541-432-2871
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arrowhead-Chocolates/135462139842638
Honest Chocolates are made locally in Yamhill County, Oregon with stores in Newberg and McMinnville. They are simply some of the best chocolates I have ever tasted.
You have missed the BEST, most pure chocolate. Ginger’s story is interesting in itself. I have followed her career since she was a teenager. Her philosophy regarding chocolate is next to none. Her shop, Ginger Elizabeth’s Chocolates is in Sacramento, CA and we are so lucky to have her. Her specialty is one item and one only-chocolate.
Please give her a try.
You need to try the decadent chocolate tiles from Poco Dolce in San Francisco. All hand made chocolates. Sinfully delicious. 2419 third street, San Francisco, ca 94107. (415)225-1443. Owner, choclatier, Kathy Wiley
Any one tell me where to buy Angelina Rumpelmayer milk chocolate?
Wine and chocolate all wrapped up together in one little, melt -in- your- mouth deliciousness!
OOpps hit submit before I finished my last comment. It’s called My Sister’s Wine Fudge and we are located in the east bay town of Sunol.
Three words……Sea Salt Caramels…..YUM!
Their factory is at Ryan Ranch in Monterey , CA
They have stores in Carmel and Carmel Valley.
I second the addition of Ginger Elizabeth’s in Sacramento. Great chocolate and great French macaroons as well.
THEE most DE-licious, delectable, treats ever savoured and swallowed by a human being….
Mmmmm.. that’s all I can say when I visit the Shaw’s beautiful store, across from Loehman’s Plaza, at Fulton & Fair Oaks Boulevard.
http://www.legrandconfectionary.com
Le Grand Confectionary
4527 Harlin Drive
Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone: 916.361.2125
Fax: 916.361.2150
Speaking of chocolate. One of the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had! Carolyn’s Cookie Company out of Salinas, CA. 6 varieties of the classic cookie. My favorite is the chocolate chip with pumpkin spice and toasted pecans. All her cookies are made from scratch. No fake stuff. We buy them in the frozen dough and then bake whenever we want a special treat. carolynscookieco@aol.com is their email on the package. Cookies, wine infront of the fire! It doesn’t get much better
My favorite LA area spot for fine chocolate is Compartes in Brentwood. My wife loves their peanut butter, honey & sea salt filled truffles (homemade peanut butter is one of their signature delights). Truffles are a flavorful piece of art here.
Annabelle’s Chocolate Lounge in El Dorado, Ca has some of the best homemade chocolates around! They also have El Dorado county wine and port to pair with your chocolate-yummy!
Perhaps you included French Kisses from Sunsweet. If so, I missed the mention. They are chocolate covered prunes and are truly delicious. I give them as Christmas gifts to a few friends, and would be very unpopular if ever I forgot that tradition. French Kisses can be purchased at the Sunsweet Growers’ Store in Yuba City or at sunsweetstore.com.
Next time in San Francisco for something a little different, try TCHO Chocolate factory on the Embarcadero Everything made on the premises – free samples, and twice daily tours. Take that, Ghirardelli!
I can’t believe that you actually asked if there was such a thing as too much chocolate! I never get tired of reading about new chocolate makers to look for. Thanks for all the great stories.
The Truffle Shop – Nevada City, California http://www.thetruffleshop.com/
And Sierra Sweets – Toffee http://sierrasweets.net/
Both are excellent.
Good thing I just finished eating Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies because after reading all these comments I would need chocolate.
Here in Healdsburg, CA we have a cupcake place Moustache which makes the most divine Brownies with Caramel topping. They are an ooey, gooey delight. If that doesn’t satisfy you there is always Downtown Bakery where there are delicious breads, Sticky Buns which I have yet to find anywhere else half as good, Chocolate Chip cookies & they also have good Brownies! If I work at it I’m sure I can think of more.
I guess I should write some of these places down in case I am ever in the neighborhood.
Big Island Candies in Hilo, Hawaii. We came back with bags of cookies, some of them covered in chocolate.
In Palo Alto, CA, try Monique’s on Bryant St for handmade, single-origin truffles. They range from mild milk chocolate to high octane dark. The proprietor, Mark West, is there every day making the truffles and caramels in front of you. You can also bet hot or cold chocolate to drink, made to order. I have had a lot of truffles and have found nothing more delightful than Monique’s.
I live in the San Francisco bay area and absolutely LOVE Lillie Belle Farms- Hand Made Chocolates from Southern Oregon. I never thought anyone would compare to Vosges, but Lillie Belle is even better. They recently won two awards at the 2012 Good Food Awards. Seriously amazing they will be part of the Oregon Chocolate Festival that will be taking place in Ashland, OR next weekend.
Hey, has anyone heard of Monterey Chocolate Company? I know they usually do the Farmer’s Markets down in the Monterey Area. I know they make truffles with certain wineries chocolates. I thought they had won one of those chocolate tasting that has their big event in San Francisco every year.
In 2011, we participated in the Luxury Chocolate Salons in Napa, Los Angeles and San Francisco and the International Luxury Chocolate Salon in March 2012 where we received a total of 21 medals for our handmade, organic chocolates.
Chris
Monterey Chocolate Company
What about a story on the West’s most purchased quality chocolate company, Sees? For instance, do they do tours of the factory?
my passion is drinking chocolates. the italian style at almare in berkeley, hot cooca from organic ground cacao beans at bean street in san mateo, and my latest find, unique combinations from rue du the in burlingame — these are some of my favorites.
Josh — A must when you’re in Bozeman, MT, next! Stop by LaChatelaine Chocolat Shop and indulge. The Ooh-la-la Brownies are fantastic and the selection of sea salt caramels are a favorite! My creative and the owners Wlady and Shannon are dedicated to their trade.