poco dolce chocolate

poco dolce

2419 Third Street

San Francisco, CA 94107

A few months ago I discovered this chocolate candy brand called poco dolce. I was shopping at a candy store in San Francisco on Chestnut called "Sweet Dish". I was looking for a gift to bring a friend that I was going to be visiting in Orange County. Immediately I was attracted to the simple packaging design for the chocolates. I noticed that the chocolate was made in San Francisco. To make sure my friend would like it I had to test one out. I decided to try the Burnt Carmel Tiles with grey sea salt. Once I took a bite I was in heaven. The bittersweet chocolate was a perfect complement to the burt carmel and salt. I knew this would be a perfect and unique gift from San Francisco.

Today I was flipping through my favorite magazine Real Simple and noticed that poco dolce was featured under "Sweet Elitists". The magazine described the "Toffee Squares" The epitome of just-one-bite dessert: small bittersweet chocolate-covered delights accented with espresso, sea salt, chili, or popcorn." Check out their website www.pocodolce.com.

Carmel Bakery and Coffee Company

Carmel Bakery and Coffee Company

Ocean Ave. between Dolores and Lincoln
Carmel-by-the-SeaCA

One of our favorite places to spend a day is in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is a tradition that we always stop at the Carmel Bakery and Coffee Company before walking down to the beach. When you take a peek in the window before walking in your mouth begins to water. They have a beautiful display for anyone with a sweet tooth of brownies, cookies, cannolis, and more. When you walk in there an aroma of fresh brewed coffee and baked goods. It is always a tough decision weather to get a yummy baked goodie or a scoop of their delicious ice cream along with your coffee. My recommendation would be the short bread cookie half dipped in dark chocolate. Not only is the cookie filled with buttery goodness it also is filled with bits of chocolate to complement the chocolate portion of the cookie. I always accompany this with a latte to go. Once you have ordered enjoy your yummy afternoon treat while walking down the hill to the beach. You can work it off while walking back up the hill on your way to dinner enjoy : )

Icing On The Cake - Los Gatos

Icing On The Cake 50 W. Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030. I have recently discovered this wonderful bakery. I was looking for a bakery that has fresh scones and shortbread for my friend's upcoming baby shower. Not only does this special bakery have breakfast treats, yummy cakes, cookies etc... they also have cute and kitchy bakery serving item such as retro style bowls and cake stands. Between the yummy treats and cute decor I fell in love with this place. It's a great place to pop in after shopping on the exciting Santa Cruz Ave.

I tried two different cupcakes and both were amazing. The first one was a chocolate lovers dream called the ”Swirly Cake". This is a gourmet version of a Hostess cupcake. When you bite into this yummy cake you will find a layer of decadent chocolate butter cream frosting on top while underneath is a yummy devils food chocolate cake with vanilla butter cream frosting in between. If you like mint chip ice cream the "Mint Chip Cake" will be right up your alley. It is a perfect bite of thick mint butter cream frosting and chocolate devils food cake, mmm so good. I can't wait to try more flavors. They have so many to choose from. I recommend checking this place out if you are ever in Los Gatos. You won't be disappointed. http://icingonthecakebakery.com/index.htm

Sundance Steakhouse Mud Pie

Sundance Steakhouse 1921 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94306

This is a traditional steak house with a dark setting that my husband and I have been going to since we were dating. We always come back here for not only the yummy food but one of the best desserts ever, their Mud pie. This is probably the best Mud pie I have ever had. I guess a close second would be at Rusty Pelican in Newport Beach. When it's first brought to the table we think we are never going to finish this. But we always devour it all still wanting more. It comes as a dense, thick piece topped with whipped cream, nuts and surrounded by hot fudge sauce all supported with a thick chocolate cookie crust. We have really enjoyed our dinners there as well. I usually get the Seared Ahi Tuna Sashimi for my entree and start off with their homemade Lobster Bisque. Then we always end our meal with the Mud pie no matter how full we are.

Lately we have been trying some new places in Palo Alto for dinner but still going to Sundance for dessert. You can be seated right away in the bar area for dinner or dessert. The last time we did this was the night I went into labor. We planned the afternoon and evening for our last date night before baby. After going to a movie that afternoon we had dinner at Bistro Elan in Palo Alto which I also recommend. Following our meal we headed over to Sundance for our favorite dessert. I had already been having contractions since the movie that afternoon. By the time we were ready for desert I was pretty much ready to head to the hospital. But we stayed just so I could finish my Mud pie before going to give birth. It's that worth it! : )

Shokolaat Palo Alto

Shokolaat 516 University Ave Palo Alto, CA 94301.

Last week my husband 

wanted to try a new

restaurant in Palo Alto. 

The name Shokolaat 

caught my attention 

since Chocolate is one 

of my favorite foods. They serve California /European 

Cuisine along with a chocolate patisserie menu.

The atmosphere had a modern vibe and the decor was 

pristine. We both ordered the carmelized Scallops with 

sauteed Gnocchi, wilted butter lettuce, preserved lemon, 

and Tarragon butter. All of the elements of the dish 

complemented each other. The Gnocchi were a special 

touch, they melted in your mouth along with the scallops. 

We also ordered something from the patisserie for dessert. 

It's called the Mochassippi and it was to die for. 

The blend of coffee soaked lady finger sponge cake with 

Chocolate Mousse and bittersweet chocolate was a 

perfect mix. It wasn't too rich, just the right amount to finish off a perfect evening. I definitely recommend trying out this new gem http://www.shokolaat.com/

Mora Iced Creamery

Mora Iced Creamery 

139 Madrone Lane Bainbridge Island, WA

moraicedcreamery.com

This creamery on Bainbridge Island across from Seattle is a little gem. My husband and I recently took a romantic trip to Seattle. We spent an afternoon on the quaint Bainbridge Island. We had a great lunch at Cafe Nola at 101 Winslow Way. Afterwards we walked around an enjoyed the island a bit. We both were in the mood for a sweet treat and noticed off of Winslow Way down a little lane was an ice cream place. We expected it to be just a regular place with your typical flavors but to our surprise it was much more. All of there ice creams and sorbets are homemade. There were so many choices we didn't know where to begin. I had the mint with shaved chocolate. My husband had a strawberry smoothie made with there homemade strawberry sorbet. The mint chocolate was to die for so refreshing as the chocolate melted in my mouth. It was even better in a waffle cone.  The interior of the creamery was very pristine with a nice streamlined design. The ice cream and atmosphere made it a memorable experience. It was a little pricey for dairy but well worth it. I highly recommend it if you ever get over to Bainbridge Island from Seattle. 

San Jose Museum of Art Warhol exhibit

The San Jose Museum of Art 110 South Market Street San Jose, CA 95113. After living in San Francisco it has been difficult to find many cultural things to do in San Jose. The San Jose Museum of art has become one of my favorite places to visit. The museum has a collection of West Cost artists of the 20th and 21st Century. It is located downtown next to the Fairmont Hotel. This area of downtown is the most charming section next to the Circle of Palms and Plaza de César Chavez Park. The museum cafe "Café Too!" is a great place for lunch after strolling around the museum. 

Today I went to the museum to check out the Prints of Andy Warhol exhibit. Having majored in Commercial Art and designing artwork for screen-printing, I was very inspired. All of his work consists of lithographs and screen prints on paper. The print I have included was my favorite piece "Flower" 1964. This print is an offset lithograph on paper. I love the bright colors and composition. I can see now how influential Warhol is to the Graphic design world. I highly recommend checking out the exhibit.