Chocolate Box
(206) 443-3900
108 Pine St
(at First Avenue)
Seattle,
WA
98101
47.61
-122.3408
Neighborhoods: Pike Place Market, Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for Chocolate Box
29 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 29 reviews
NOT a destination!
by tamikeen
June 16, 2009
My 11 year old daughter and I wanted to visit this shop as a destination. They were offering chocolate tea tasting, and being the chockoholics that we are, we decided to go to Seattle, pay $10 to park, and see what this chocolate tea was all about.
The staff acted like we weren't even there. When we asked to sample the teas being offered at a crowded back table, we were given a bewildered look, then made to feel more than a little unwelcomed at first. Awkward, awkward. I was embarrassed for the staff, and probably should have left then.
But I didn't want to ruin our entire evening, so we ordered mini cupcakes, truffles, and gellato. We got thirsty, and asked for glasses of water. we were sent to the back counter to receive our water, and after another uncomfortable period of being ignored, we were informed that they have NO tap water available, only bottled water! The manager explained that Seattle water is VERY bad, and was unfit for human consumption, so we must buy a plastic bottle if we were thirsty.
WTF??? I do not buy plastic bottles anymore. Period. And if Seattle water has suddenly become un-fit for human consumption, wouldn't this be front page news???
Or is this just a cheap-skate trying to squeeze an extra 50 cents out of customers? LOL! You decide.
We will NOT go back, we will go to the source of the chocolates they sell. O chocolate on mercer Island = free parking RIGHT in front, and an amazing staff; or Theo chocolate in Fremont; or any Godiva store.
- Pros: Cute gellato guy who was the only good help there
- Cons: Rude unhelpful staff, water un-fit to drink (their own words
Fran's chocolate's are the best!
by jooz
April 06, 2009
Not sure what this other person was saying about not a lot of diversity, I always go to the Chocolate Box to pick up gifts (usually Fran's) to send to out-of-towners. The staff is friendly and leaves you alone if that's the way you like to shop - which I do.
- Pros: Cool place, amazing gifts
- Cons: none
The best in local chocolate???
by ledolson
March 13, 2009
I think that Chocolate Box must have lost their course. I have gone in there frequently to buy a lot of local chocolatiers products. And when I go in there now I see the selection of local stuff being drowned out by the same stuff I can buy at Whole Foods or QFC! The thing that made this place cool was that I could get stuff from Fiori, Oh and Theo that wasn't available all over the place. It looks like they are replacing them with Vosges and other chocolates readily available at Whole Foods and QFC. Chocolate Box used to have a boutique feel, which means space, displays, care and attention to details. Now everything is jammed in everywhere to fill up the shelves much like a grocery store. It's too bad, they had a great concept but it's probably still fun for tourists though locals will opt for free parking at any Whole Foods, QFC or Fred Meyer.... if they are just going to sell the same stuff there's not much reason to spend $ on parking .
- Pros: they used to be a really cool place to go
- Cons: now I'll just go to Whole Foods, its all the same stuff...
Yummy
by Karen55Sims
January 30, 2009
Everytime i walk by your store i get sucked in... normally i buy the Fran's Chocolates Caramels and they are amazing! Thank you!
The WORST place for Seattle
by dmdmdt62
June 06, 2008
I visited the Chocolate Box on one of our trip's to Seattle. I was truely surprised at the lack of diversity in the shop and really disappointed in the rudeness of their staff. My 4 year old grandaughter was wanting some Gellato and the staff there just kept acting like she wasn't there. So we lft and went to the Gellato Shop in front of Pike Place. A place where they know how to treat even their smallest customer's.
I don't feel like we'll ever go back to the Chocolate Box.
Located a block from Pike Place Market, this 1,800-square-foot confectionery is a chocolate lover's dream.
by Contributor
October 23, 2007
In Short
With its inviting caramel and dark brown color palette, this sophisticated chocolate boutique and bistro tempts with everything decadent and sweet. Seattle retailer Michel Brotman plays Willy Wonka by featuring exquisitely crafted products from local chocolate purveyors such as Theo Chocolate, Oh! Chocolate, Fiori Chocolatiers and Chocolat Vitale, as well as from renowned Parisian chocolatier Michel Cluizel. Scrumptious offerings include handmade truffles, bonbons, espresso and cocoa drinks, fresh pastries and mouthwatering gelato from locally owned Gelatiamo.
Hits: Outdoor seating and counter seats by the window provide some of the best spots in the city for people-watching.
Misses: More of a candy land for grown-ups, families with kids must be careful with the displays and fixtures.
Chocolate that lit my fire!
by dakota2
August 24, 2007
I found Fiori chocolates at the Chocolate Box by Pike Place Market. They had a lot of bars and truffles. Took one bit of the Havana truffle and oh my! A spicy chocolate??!!! At first I thought this would not be a good combo but the savory flavor was amazing. Tried some more of their chocolates (non-spicy) and found them superior to anything else I can find. Really great chocolate and the ganache centers we super smooth in texture. Bought a bunch of bars as well. The Sera was my favorite - not too bitter, not too sweet, but just right. The bar textures are out of this world smooth. Almost seemed like butter the way it melts. I thought, "this is a chocolate bar!" Keep up the good work Fiori!!
- Pros: Really good chocolate, I can't think of another that compares
- Cons: A little on the $$$ side but to me all spend the $ for the quality anytime
Great shop, great chocolates...
by kimmyinraincity
August 18, 2007
Chocolate Box - Recommended
They offer a wide array of chocolates, cakes, pastries, and gelato. In fact you'd be hard pressed to find this type of selection in the city at any other location. Certainly places such as Whole Foods have a nice selection but Chocolate Box does a nice job of pulling together a nice assortment. The only ding I'll give them is they need to have a better understanding of chocolate and each of the products they carry. There are four main chocolate companies showcased at Chocolate Box. They are (in order from when you walk in):
Fiori Chocolates - Highly recommended.
Their selection of Fiori (an elusive chocolate company) is the best in Seattle. Elusive because they are so selective as to where their chocolates are offered. Their truffles are in a word, superb. Thin shelled, dark chocolate with an ultra creamy ganache. Really exotic ingredients using lots of organic items. Their bars have a simply amazing finish to them. They have an almost buttery melting quality to them. Very unique.
Theo Chocolates - Highly recommended
This is also a great one-stop shop for all things Theo. Ranging from their truffles to their bars. Also lots of really unique flavors for their truffles with their fennel and basil being two outstanding ones. Their bars are good but present a slight grittiness to them. Not as smooth as Fiori but still a strong contender.
Oh! Chocolate - Somewhat recommended
For the chocolate gourmand, Oh's is a bit on the sugary sweet side. They're not bad though, offering a wide array of "the standards" in truffles. Nothing to exotic from Oh, but relatively plain in that respect but a very comfortable option.
Chocolat Vitale - Recommended
Vitale offers a line of drinking chocolates that are rich in flavor and body. A really great option for the liquid chocolate crowd. Several flavors are available and all are really solid. They also features teas that are great all year round pleasers. Great high quality
- Pros: One stop shop - whatever your hear desires is probably there
- Cons: Parking can be difficult. Good to park at the market and walk over
Exceptional chocolates and drink
by rrice
August 01, 2006
Visited Motore Coffee where Fiori chocolates are sold. I was quite impressed by the selection and the flavors. Fiori has some real exotic flavors that I haven't seen on the west coast. Also had a cup of the drinking chocolate which rivaled what I've had before in Paris. Staff in Motore were very attentive and helpful. Also found Fiori truffles in a smaller quantity in Cafe Umbria. The bars are exceptionally good, my favorite is the 'Sera' bar which is very fruity tasting at 65% cacao. I think the thing that they do really well is their chocolate seems to melt in your mouth faster then some other local places. Supposedly this is due to the rare cacao that they use (not sure). Overall very favorable and highly recommended.
Since 2004, this small, Seattle-based company has provided the city with plenty of gourmet European-style truffles.
by Anna Roth
July 20, 2006
In Short
Fiori's founder and chief chocolatier, Lee Johnson, trained in Italy and utilizes many of the old-world techniques in his confection-making, including using organic ingredients and heirloom cacao beans. Flavors tend toward the subtle savory end of the spectrum: the "Balsamico e Fragola" truffle blends strawberries with aged balsamic, while Anise combines fresh fennel fronts, anise liqueur and coffee. A luscious drinking chocolate and a series of artisan chocolate bars are also available.
