'Tis the season of candy. Since Hallowe'en last Friday, there has been plenty of chocolate floating around. This made me think of a recent note that floated across my Whrrl Feed about a neat place called Chocolopolis, and prompted me to spend a few minutes this morning Whrrling for notable chocolate places in the Seattle area. This search led me to five places that I bookmarked using the "Want To Go" button in Whrrl, along with a slew of notable mentions. This knowledge is way too important, a delicious, to keep to myself which is why I've decided to let you all in on it. I started off by using the filters on my Whrrl Home to show only places with an average rating of 5 stars that have been visited by my friends. I also entered the word 'chocolate' into the place search box. The search box is intelligent enough to search place titles AND the descriptions, as well as reviews of the millions of places currently in Whrrl!

Fran's Chocolates

I immediately stumbled upon Fran's Chocolates in the University Village! Kristin S. raves about their award winning sea salt caramels: "The combination of salty and sweet is so complex and delicious you will be surprised and coming back for more" - and the figs stuffed with ganache. Danielle also notes that they have lovely gift wrapping, which is worthy of note since the holidays are fast approaching.

The Tasting Room

Next up was another highly rated establishment called The Tasting Room near Pike Place Market. Rachel M. sold me on this one. She notes "they have a sampling of sweet wines paired with chocolate... fig and fennel being the most intriguing confection" and that she "was all smiles by the time [she] left". Since I had a conversation about pairing wine and chocolate with friends just this last weekend, that's all I needed to add it to my list of places to go.

Chocolati Cafe

I am a huge fan of coffee shops, particularly those that have a unique ambiance, have wireless Internet access and serve great coffee. Chocolati Café near Greenlake fits the bill perfectly. Not only is this coffee house and chocolate factory an excellent place to telecommute, but both Anne A. and Nathaniel S. specifically call out their chocolate covered fortune cookies as a great reason to visit.

Theo Chocolate

That was when I hit the jackpot - Theo Chocolate, a factory which produces premium, organic, fair trade and specialty chocolate. According to Anca S. the best part is "the tour...think wine tasting but with chocolate". Yves A. lays it down this way, "Yummy chocolates with a couple interesting twists: one, combinations of ingredients that are unusual in this country (curry, basil, lemon grass and others) ; two, a strong emphasis on fair trade. … Do not miss the chocolate with bread crumbs!" Just my style of unusual experience mixed with the chance to enjoy oneself while doing some social good! Theo, we will be meeting up in the near future.

Honorable Mentions

B&O Espresso in Capitol Hill - a perennial favorite: "Desserts are where they shine. Try their apple crisp, the chocolate pot, or the creme brulee--or, on the coffee menu, the valencia (a mocha flavored with orange)." - Jason C. Neuhaus USA near Pelago in Downtown Seattle: "Shhh! Don't tell too many people or the line will get longer, but the chocolates here are amazing. Great for an afternoon snack." - Danielle Cremant in Madrona: "Other things NOT to miss: chocolate mousse - amazing. And there is a special chocolate shot that the waiter told me the chef came up with while in Paris." - Megan B. Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle: "I thought it was odd that a baker would have a massive trophy above the counter until I took my first bite of a chocolate croissant." - Tyler W. Simply Desserts in Fremont: "I LOVE their Chocolate Truffle cake. " - Wendy M. Dilettante Chocolate Café in Capitol Hill: "Good chocolate, of course. Fortified milkshakes and chocolate mousse are two of the best. It's a little loud and usually crowded, but the service is always good." - Lara B. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Pioneer Square And finally, Chocolopolis in Queen Anne that inspired this post. You can find all of these on my Want to Go List. You can also become a fan of me, or any of the other reviewers mentioned above if you like their tastes! Just click "become a fan" on their profile page to include their public activities and opinions in your feed. Now to roust up some friends and see if they want to head out for dessert!