Best Chocolate Spots In Chicago
By Rachel Azark
Are you looking to make your heart just a little more happy? Better blood pressure? How about giving your skin a little more TLC? Fortunately the little thing known as chocolate can do all of that for you. Just make sure that it's dark. Chicago has a few spots around town to help you indulge in that chocolate goodness.
"Chocolate at The Pen"
The Peninsula Chicago
108 E. Superior St.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-573-6695
Email: diningpch@peninsula.com
www.peninsula.com
There is no better way to eat chocolate than to indulge in fancy chocolates and truly feel rich. At the Peninsula Hotel's Chocolate Bar located in the hotel lobby on Friday and Saturday nights you can listen to live jazz and eat chocolate. In the lobby, they set up a buffet of bite-sized chocolate desserts. Reservations should be made in advance and the buffet goes from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $40 for coffee and chocolate, unless you want to pay $50 and then you get one chocolate martini or one glass of sparkling wine with your chocolate. Pop for the $50.
The Chocolate Closet at Foodease
Water Tower Place
835 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-335-3663
foodeasechicago.com
For all you secret chocolate eaters, this is the place for you. You can maybe meet other secret chocolate eaters that are hiding their love of chocolate from friends and family members. Or you can just go to see their selection of favorite chocolates and confections including local, fair-trade and artisanal products. They sell Truffle Truffle, Salted Caramel, Zottr Drinking Chocolate and Chocolat by Uzma to name a few. They even offer chocolate tastings.
Sarah's Pastries and Candies
70 E. Oak St.
Chicago, IL
Phone: 312-664-6223
sarahscandies.com
Located on the Gold Coast, Sarah's has anything from wedding cakes to chocolate to candies. If you have a chocolate craving try a chocolate enchantment lollipop or a dark chocolate covered Oreo. If you like peanut butter with your chocolate, try Sarah's Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar. And if you drool for s'mores, try her chocolate-covered s'mores. Sarah has been featured in USA Today as one of the great candy stores across the USA, has won the Food Network Challenge, and was featured in Michigan Avenue magazine as one of the most sinful chocolate treats in town.
Terry's Toffee
1117 W. Grand Ave.
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: 312-733-2700
www.terrystoffee.com
In 2005, Terry and his partner Michael opened their doors to their Chicago toffee shop. Quickly, their art of mixing ingredients from around the world made them quite famous. So famous in fact, that celebrities at the Academy Awards have been receiving this special treat since 2005. Terry's Toffee has 15 award-winning flavors of toffee. All the toffee is coated in chocolate and will make your heart swoon for more. They also offer ice cream and biscotti.
Magnolia Bakery
Block 37
108 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312-346-7777
www.magnoliabakery.com
The first store opened in New York City's Greenwich Village in 1996. Now they are in Chicago at the new Block 37. If you need a chocolate cupcake fix, a chocolate chunk cookie, or a double fudge brownie because you need a pick me up on a bad day, I would highly suggest visiting this cute shop. If you think the whole office could use a pick me up, you can even order a chocolate cake with sprinkles on top. Almost takes you back to the days of being a kid.
Rachel Azark is a writer and lives on Chicago's Northwest side. Read more of her work on her blog parksandpancakes.com.
