Seattle's Best Chocolate
By Elizabeth Mortenson, Citysearch Contributor
You can deny yourself chocolate, but why would you want to? Considering it's an aphrodisiac that can lower blood pressure, it's hardly a vice worth kicking. The next time you indulge in life's simple gift of the cocoa bean, try one of these fabulous local brands and remember--you've got one less thing to feel guilty about.
-
Bakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA
Owner William Leaman, former head pastry chef at Essential Baking, creates a specialty line of chocolates infused with exotic flavors like passion fruit and candied ginger at his West Seattle bakery. Pull up a stool to the marble counters and people-watch your Sunday morning away. -
Theo Chocolate
3400 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA
This heavenly Fremont factory does it all, from roasting the cocoa beans to hand-forging truffle-like confections. The tour, a crash course in chocolate engineering, illustrates how a cocoa bean becomes a chocolate bar--and, naturally, includes plenty of samples. -
Venue
5408 22nd Ave NW, Seattle, WA
This Ballard boutique is the only place that you can find hand-dipped Cocoa Chai chocolates created by local gal Ivy Chan. She has a tendency to operate far outside the box with flavors: Think peppercorn, lychee and Indian curry. -
Oh! Chocolate Madison
3131 E Madison St, Seattle, WA
Although you might not be able to make one of this artisan chocolatier's delightfully weird combinations immediately after you attend a class there (see: habanero chili mango truffle), don't despair--you can still eat their perfectly crafted version. -
Fiori Chocolatiers
108 Pine St, Seattle, WA
Fiori utilizes many of the old-world techniques in its 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. -
Chocolate Box
108 Pine St, Seattle, WA
With its inviting caramel and dark brown color palette, this sophisticated chocolate boutique and bistro tempts with everything decadent and sweet. Owner Michel Brotman plays Willy Wonka by featuring exquisitely crafted products from local chocolate purveyors like Fiori Chocolatiers and Chocolat Vitale.
