Chocolopolis By Valentina Vitols Bello

That time of the year is finally here.  Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon is happening this upcoming Sunday!

I am most grateful to Yelp Seattle for the complimentary tickets I received to attend the sweet gathering.  The give away required people to tell them what make them chocoholics.

Of course, I jumped in right away.

Phrases like “When I was a kiddo, I wanted to become a chocolate bon bon.  Seriously, for some time, I said to people I wanted to become chocolate when I grew up” and “I have a dream: whenever I hit the jackpot, I will have a jacuzzi built in wherever I live: it’ll be filled with dense, warm and creamy chocolate and I will be inside it, eating and beautifying”, got me those two “I-feel-like-I-won-the-lotto-like-tickets!

On a more serious note, I’m originally from Venezuela, where one of the finest cocoas in the world is grown.  Whenever I’m questioned about what I love the most about my country, I always (and cheerfully) say “chocolate!”.  Imagine my happiness when I moved to Seattle to find out that the Emerald City is not only all about coffee and seafood…it’s also one of the best choco-destinations in the United States!

Our photographic walking tours frequently remind me of my own chocolate tours around the city, in the quest for the best cocoa creations.  My favorite place is Chocolopolis  in Queen Anne.  Lauren Adler, owner of this beautiful store and chocolatier extraordinaire, can take anyone into a worldwide, imaginary chocolate tour by talking about the wonderful products she sells at Chocolopolis. If someone knows chocolate in Seattle, it’s Lauren.  They will be at the Salon as well.

There are so many fantastic options for chocolate in Seattle a map of it could be done.  Just to mention other cocoa wonders you can get in our city, there are the famous, luscious Salted Caramels (one of President Obama’s favorite sweet treats) and the Coconut Gold Bar from Fran’s Chocolate .  Or the creamy, sophisticated Burnt Sugar Truffle from Theo Chocolate .

Speaking of Theo Chocolate,  they are partners in sugary crime with Caffe Vitta to develop a lush, heavenly blend that pairs perfectly with chocolate but also has the charm of a daily cup of coffee. They also make a specialty bar for the local roaster.

I could talk endlessly about chocolate and take over the blog here at Shutter Tours.  I am going to give a last suggestion: Oh! Chocolate . Find and try their confections with peppercorn.  Sweet and spicy nirvana!

And remember: chocolate is a sweet way to recover energy while or after you take our tour!  Join Terry this Sunday, and then head to the Seattle Luxury Chocolate Salon.  These two together: a great Seattle experience!

Valentina Vitols Bello