Deep Space To Deep Chocolate Former high-techies start new low tech venture

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3 September 2003 | Lisa Margonelli

[pbear8]

Godiva is way too expensive and really not as good as many other brands which are less costly. If you live near SF there's a place on Sutter St which is judged to have the best chocolates in town.

[Mr. Jeeves]

See's is really good and not that expensive. During the holidays, the See's store in San Francisco's Embarcadero Center has a huge line going out the door, while the nearby Godiva store is far less crowded. People can do math!

[pbear8]

From what I understand from my East Coast friends, it seems there is no large retailer for really good chocolates. There are good small stores, but nothing like See's. Is that so?

[pbear8]

You are absolutely correct. Captain PBear and I do like the hot chocolate squares from Godiva though. You melt them in hot milk.

Do you recall the name of the chocolatier on Sutter (or is it Post) whom the Chron named best in town?

[BlessedBeGod]

No, unfortunately I'm from Chicago. Even Marshall Field's' chocolate isn't as good as Godiva's. Godiva is as good as it gets around here, as far as I know.

If anyone else knows better, tell me, please!

[LibertyAndJusticeForAll]

Great, Red China is about to launch a human space flight and our NASA guys are making chocolate and running small businesses to pay the rent.

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Well, I was gonna say that I live about 15 minutes from Hershey PA, but ya had to qualify the question by saying "really good chocolates" didn't ya! LOL
Anyway, about the only other retailer for chocolates (not counting the Hershey or Mars comglomerates) in this area, would be Gertrude Hawk and I would hesitate calling that "really good chocolate"

I usually order mine online from either See's or Ghirardelli. (www.ghirardelli.com)

[kaktuskid]

Unfortunately See's is owned by Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway)

[pbear8]

Yeah, really good chocolate, not Hershey's!

See's is better than Ghirardelli and Ethel M is better than both of those. I just checked the website and it's up to $32 per pound. Ouch!

When next you are in Las Vegas, Ethel M is all over there, you can even take the factory tour. Ethel is a member of the Mars family, but hers is a high-end product.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Is it Rechiutti Confections? I can't recall. I'm on Atkins now, so I can't eat any of it, anyway...LOL!

[pbear8]

I don't think that was the name, I'll have to do some research.

I just came back from Trader Joe's and saw some low carb, sugar-free chocolate bars. Don't know if they're any good.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Those sugar-free chocolate bars are sweetened with sugar alcohols, which do a number on my digestive system. So, unfortunately, I just have to do without chocolate for a while longer.

[Salgak]

Actually, they DO sell it out here on the Right Coast, but generally only for the Holidays. And you can't get the fragile ones, like Mint Gels. . .

[pbear8]

I'm so sorry. Let me know if you want me to eat one in your honor.