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!

Tags: chocolate, chocolate tasting, Seattle

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 at 1:32 pm and is filed under Questions About Chocolate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.