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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

Birdman at Pike Place Market - Photo by Valentina Vitols Bello

By Shutter Tours Guide – Valentina Vitols Bello

This is our second interview in the “Meet the Market” series.

More than a year ago,  I was wandering around Pike Place Market for the first time, when I met The Birdman.  In that opportunity,  I spent a fair amount of time talking to him and his gorgeous and gallant African Grey Parrot.  I immediately felt in love with the smart bird, who can talk to you, lay on its back and hang out with you while “hanging upside down”.  Of course, I took many photos of both the parrot and The Birdman.  It was a lovely experience that I treasured as one of the best memories our beautiful Emerald City has offered to me.

A few weeks ago, and now that The Market is more familiar to me than ever, I ran into The Birdman again.  He was waiting for his lunch to be delivered (an insanely, delicious seafood plate).  We talked for a few moments and I told him I wanted to write about him.  He was very excited to be featured in our blog.  I asked him if he had another name.  He only smiled back.

“I’m just The Birdman,”  he finally said.  Then he added, “But, be sure to mention that the parrot’s name is Phineas Phogg.”

He also told me he has been in the Market for about 9 years.  The Birdman is originally from the Midwest, and loves Seattle.  Him and Phineas look like “fish in the water” when it comes to entertaining people.  This happens with both adults and kids.  Everyone gets to talk to them, enjoy the stories and play with Phineas, by holding or touching it!

Whether Phineas is busy doing some gymnastics (like the “back summersalt”) or barking like a dog (he also meows), he will always have time to give The Birdman a kiss, very close to his white beard.  If you see them,  don’t hesitate in talking to these two.  I can assure you that, like me, you won’t be able to forget this amazing pair.

The Birdman and Phineas can also be seen at the start of this video http://www.seekgeo.com/?p=165