ChocoLOT
Chocolate. Pure, delicious Chocolate. Maybe not what you associate with the city by the bay. But, maybe you should? Several different companies have been striving to create the perfect chocolates, and many are succeeding.
The most obvious chocolate company based here in the Bay is Ghiradelli Chocolate. Established in 1852, Ghiradelli has been a long time leader in the San Francisco confectionery world. Started by Italian immigrant Domino Ghiradelli, the company has had a rich history of importing coco beans from South America. The success of the company has lead to Ghiradelli Square, a now famous S.F. landmark that draws millions of tourists a year. And the chocolate is worth a try!
But, God forbid you stay in and around Ghiradelli square during your visit! There are far more places to go, even if you are purely on a chocolate hunt. Joseph Schmdt would be my next stop, on 16th in the south end of town. Joseph Schmidt opened his chocolate shop quite a bit after Domino Ghiradelli, in 1983. It did not take long for the chocolate company to take off and become known for their egg shaped truffles. His chocolates are beautiful and worth picking up as both a treat and as a creative masterpiece.
The newest member of the San Francisco chocolate crew is XOX Chocolate, started by French chef Jean-Marc Gorce and Casimira Tobilla. They opened their first small shop in North Beach in 1996. The shop proved successful and the chocolate has gotten rave reviews ever since. My favorite are the bite size Earl Grey tea truffles. The packaging has also gotten more and more ornate over the years.
If you have a sweet tooth, or know someone with one, check out these three chocolate shops, scattered about the city.