After a visit to the fantastic gallery style shop Rose and Radish in San Francisco, I spot one or two street corners later another retail delight for the senses. This time, it was the shop of the artisanal chocolate maker Christopher Elbow located on Hayes Street.
It was the fashionable design of the store that first caught my eyes from across the street. As I looked further, I realized that it was a fine chocolate shop.
I am passionate about fine chocolate so I could not passed by this opportunity. The red featured wall, dark brown wood and the white décor of his retail place pleased me. The packaging evokes modern luxury.
About the Chocolate
These decadent pieces are hand-crafted one at a time. The modern patterns are amazing. The chocolate decorations are created using sprays, templates or hand painting techniques. So each piece is unique.
My husband and I ate our box of 9 pieces for dessert two nights ago. They taste as good as they look. We tasted:
- Caramel with Fleur de Sel
- Madagascar
- Ecuador
- Persian
- Fresh Lime
- Rosemary Caramel
- Strawberry-Balsamic Caramel
- plus two identical rounds pieces that were delicious but that I cannot find the names
This is an artisanal chocolate with no preservatives made in small batches. It must be eaten within 2 to 3 weeks. They were enough customers while I visited the shop to not worry about the freshness of what you buy. Finally avoid storing any fine chocolate in the fridge to preserve their full flavor.
Christopher Elbow had a special packaging for Christmas but I did not see anything for this upcoming Easter. It is sad!
A Design Idea to Take Home
I want to point out a clever design element of the lounge area. Between each seat, a small table rest on the couch so you can put your drinks and plates. There is still small lighted coffee table but the place was packed and it seems that almost everybody prefer the raised tray on the cough.
Gift ideas
For a hostess gift, especially if you go to a house with kids, you can bring a tin box of hot cocoa. I suggest the Venezuelan Spiced Drinking Chocolate, a dark chocolate blended with chilies and spices to create a cup of rich.
The Chocolate Covered Nuts sounds pretty good to. You have the choice of almond, hazelnuts and spiced almonds.
Sourcing:
Where to buy: Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate
