Q. Hi – We were on one of your early chocolate walks in Lake Oswego – and we continue to enjoy the best chocolate we can find. Lately we had some delicious chocolate cake in Cannon Beach and are wondering if we can find the near equivalent in the Portland area. Can you recommend a place or places where we could celebrate a birthday with a great chocolate cake treat?  BG

A. Here are some spots I’d recommend for scrumptious chocolate cake desserts in Portland, Oregon:

Urban Farmer Restaurant
525 SW Morrison Street
503-222-4900
At the Nine’s Hotel right off Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Try: Valrhona Chocolate Hazelnut Souffle with praline creme anglaise and a Warm Chocolate Cake with vanilla-champagne sorbet and blood orange sauce

Jake’s Grill
611 SW 10th Avenue
(503) 220-1850
Try: Almond Roca and Lava Cakes. What makes their Lava Cake most unique is their lavish presentation at your table!

Jake’s Famous Crayfish
401 SW 12th Ave. at SW Stark
(503) 226-1419
Try: World famous Truffle Cake, either by itself  or with the works. Pictures speak louder than words, so check out the Portland Chocolate Lover’s Meetup Group’s recent outing to this Portland landmark.

There was also an article several months ago in the Oregonian that mentioned two spots for chocolate cake in the Metro:

Papa Haydn’s
5829 SE Milwaukie Ave. (503) 232-9440
701 NW 23rd Ave. (503) 228-7317
Although most of the dessert making goes at their Sellwood location, both spots have a charm of their own.
Try: Triple Chocolate Torte

La Provence
15964 SW Boones Ferry Road in Lake Oswego/(503) 635-4533
1824 NE Alberta/(503) 284-6564
4834 SE Division/(503) 233-1121
Try: Petite Provence Cake

Recently received this inquiry. Thought others might find it useful:

Savina, I’ll be in Seattle for a conference in a few weeks. Would not mind checking out at a chocolate place or two.  Any recommendations? JH

Here are a few suggestions:

Dilettante
538 Broadway Ave East
(206) 329-6463
www.dilettante.com
 
Dilettante was the first non-SF Bay Area company to send me samples back in the early ’80’s, so they will always have a special spot in my heart. The founders first came to Portland in the early 1910’s  and established the Davenport Chocolate Company and then went to Seattle, so we are kind of connected : )  They have cafe’s now, too, with a number of locations.
 
Theo Chocolate
3400 Phinney Ave. N
(206) 632.5100
www.theochocolate.com

If you’ve ever wanted to take a factory tour of a chocolate manufacturer (bean to bar), this is the place on the West Coast. Please note: Reservations are highly encouraged and you are more likely to see their machinery actually running during the weekdays). Been told that there is good public transportation from downtown to the Ballard neighborhood if you didn’t want to take your car.
 
Caffe Umbria
320 Occidental Avenue South
(206) 624-5847
 
Staff in Portland tells me that this cafe is gorgeous. So if you love their location in the Pearl, you’ll definitely enjoy this one adjacent to Pioneer Square. Think Italian chocolate creations, gelato, and Nutella : )

Chocolopolis
1527 Queen Anne Ave. N.
(206) 282-0776
www.chocolopolis.com

Located in the Upper Queen Anne neighborhood of the Emerald City, Chocolopolis can be thought of as Seattle’s version of Cacao- although no one can completely duplicate Jesse and Aubrey’s PDX West End and Downtown creations!

Fran’s Chocolate
1325 1st Ave.
(206) 682-0168
www.franschocolates.com

Visit one of their locations to pay homage to Fran’s gray and smoked salted caramels. Others have been trying to duplicate these small treasures, yet she put them on the map years and years ago!
 
Simply Seattle Chocolate Box
(206) 443-3900
108 Pine Street
www.sschocolatebox.com

They are located up the block from Pike’s Market and offer a chocolate bus tour, Friday thru Sunday, that goes to Theo’s. Good alternative expecially if you have limited time in Seattle and Theo’s factory tours are booked.
 
Have a great time in Seattle and may Mt. Rainier be visible when you are there!