sweet taste sensations of San Francisco
We enjoyed such a variety of taste sensations during our recent Chocolatour to San Francisco and area. But there were definitely a few highlights as we searched out the best chocolate in San Francisco.
We stayed at the W Hotel San Francisco in the SoMA district–a great part of town for art enthusiasts. Our room was small, but tastefully decorated, and it had a terrific view of the Bay Bridge. The W is home to the Trace Restaurant, and for me, the highlight was the amazing French Toast made with roasted banana, toasted pecans, and caramel sauce. It was absolutely delightful, and not too sweet at all. And we were thrilled to receive a platter of handcrafted chocolates delivered to our room. Chocolate always makes every stay that much sweeter.
The French Toast at the W San Francisco was the best I have ever had.
We were thrilled with the special delivery of handmade chocolates to our door at the W Hotel.
in search of the best chocolate in san francisco
The chocolates of Recchiuti are by far the most exquisite chocolates in San Francisco. As mentioned in previous posts, I love the handcrafted chocolate bars of Dandelion and TCHO Chocolate, but Recchiuti is known for its velvety truffles and ganaches. No surprise: I loved the Madagascan squares and the Fleur de Sel sea salt caramels. Recchiuti Confections does both of these extremely well and is just one more reason to visit this fabulous chocolate-loving city.
Recchiuti Chocolates are top-quality artisanal chocolates made just outside of San Francisco. You can buy them in the Ferry Building Marketplace and several other locations in San Francisco.
As much as we enjoyed our time exploring chocolate in San Francisco and Oakland, it was time to move on to wine country. In the next post, we’ll toast in the new year with some remarkable finds in the California wine regions of Napa, Sonoma, and Lodi. Cheers!
Just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve written a story about Chocolatouring in San Fran for Travel+Escape. You’ll find the story at http://www.travelandescape.ca/2014/02/chocolate-tour-san-francisco/. Please drop in!
That French toast sounds incredible. I see a version of it coming soon to my house. I always say there’s no such thing as bad chocolate and there certainly wasn’t on your trip. Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
Thanks for your comment, Pat, and for the good wishes.
Re the French Toast at the W San Fran: thick, crunchy toasted bread topped with warm candied pecans, roasted bananas and warm caramel sauce. It just get any better than that. Good luck in replicating the recipe. And holiday cheers to you, too!
Yum, that homemade chocolate looks delicious. Glad you enjoyed your time in SF!
Jessica
Thanks for your comment, Jessica, and welcome to the blog! Yes, it had been far too long since I’d been in CA and we really enjoyed the trip. I’m sure it won’t be too long before I return. 🙂
Okay this is like my favorite blog! Chocolate is a gift from the heavens. The french toast made me melt. Everything looks so elegant and delicious. Enjoy wine country I look forward to your post.
Thanks for your comment, Niekka, and for visiting the blog. I’m glad you enjoyed your first visit! As you love chocolate as I do, please subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss a post. I guarantee to make your mouth water every time. 🙂
San Francisco is one of my favorite foodie cities and that french toast looks well worth a try. I’ve been thinking about taking a weekend and just flying there sometime soon. Charlotte had so many great restaurants, and being back in Boise just can’t compare.
Right on, Jeri! Sometimes, we’ve just got to go for the gusto and do some wild and crazy things! I hope you make it to San Fran soon, and that this and the past few posts will spur on some possible culinary delights in the Bay Area for you to try. Cheers, and Happy Holidays!
I absolutely love the combo of salty and sweet so I bet those sea salt caramels were divine! Yes, who wouldn’t love that beautiful platter of chocolates delivered to any hotel room?! Yum. Ooh and I can’t wait to hear of your adventures in wine country…did you make it to Anette’s Chocolates?? I went there on a walking food tour of Napa and we thought it was a fascinating place. Looking forward!!
Hi Pamela and thanks for your comment. We did eat Annette’s Chocolate, as one of the wineries served her truffles in their wine and chocolate pairing. They were lovely. More on that next time! Happy Holidays!
Doreen,
I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts. Between the pictures and your words, I can completely picture myself there tasting the French toast and the chocolates. San Francisco is a wonderful place to visit. I look forward to reading about your adventures in wine country.
Thanks, Sherryl. I’m glad the blend of words and visuals is getting your mouth watering! Stay tuned for the next post, as you will definitely recognize some names and faces. Happy Holidays!
Oh my gosh I’m salivating for that French toast. Sounds like it was a breakfast to die for!
Hi Jeannette and Season’s Greetings! Yes, I’d say that French toast was the culinary highlight of my trip to San Fran. Which reminds me … I better check if I posted the link to my “Culinary Delights” board on Pinterest! You’ll find me there under the Chocolatour handle. Cheers!
Doreen, it is so sweet! And the chocolate boxes look so classy! Charmant!
Hi Oksana and welcome to the blog! Yes, Recchuiti boxes and chocolate bar packaging are really nicely designed. I love it when the packaging is just as tasteful as the contents!
Hi my friend, All your wonderful finds in San Francisco makes me want to go there during the Holidays and partake. Oh that that French Toast looks out of this world… YUMMM.
Hi Susan: You’re so lucky! You’re right in the heart of it all. A short distance from San Fran and Sacramento, and close enough to wine country to have made a habit of it! I’m looking forward to writing the post on our wine country adventures. Thx again for helping put that together. Cheers and Merry Christmas!
That french toast looks great.
The French toast sounds fantastic. The roasted bananas reminded me of a delicious brunch of banana bread French toast my cousin made for me. The chocolates look pretty good too.
Thanks for your comment, Donna, and for your first visit to the blog! I hope you’ll take the time to explore some of the other posts as well.
Yes, the idea of roasted bananas and toasted pecans was irresistible to me and I was not disappointed! I’m sure you’d enjoy the French toast at the W San Fran.
French Toast…one of my favorites to this day! I loved the stuffed French toast recipe that Bobby Flay talked about on one of those Food Network shows. (I think it was “the best thing I ever ate.”)
Wow! Just wow!
Doreen, you just might have the best job in the world 🙂
Thanks, Suzanne. I think so! 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful trip – so sorry I missed you, but next time… I’ve been really enjoying chocolate again, so this is fantastic to get recommendations on what is now my local city again-yeah! Thanks Doreen.
Hi A.K: Yes, you are really fortunate to be living in the San Fran area, as the chocolate is amazing. Even the small grocery stores carry excellent chocolate from around the world. Enjoy! And Happy Holidays to you.
Hi Doreen,
So um, this and sleeping in today. Plz & ty 🙂
The wizard of words eh? That might trump my nickname as “the blogger”. Happy holidays and great to find ya thru B helping B!
Cheers,
Greg
Thanks for dropping into the blog, Greg. We do have a lot of fun here, so I hope you’ll subscribe or drop by again soon. Tasty travel with a focus on chocolate. 🙂
Doreen I have to remember to read your posts when I have just eaten! That picture of the French Toast is absolutely mouth watering, literally. Will return, on a full stomach, for your wine finds likely paired with some chocolate!
You bet, Pat! Susan Cooper lined up some wine and chocolate pairings for us to enjoy when I visited her in Oct. It was fantastic!
And yes, that French toast really was the best I have ever eaten. Paired with a delicious latte, I was in heaven. 🙂
Doreen, the French toast and the handmade chocolates seem absolutely fantastic. And I love the look of Recchiuti’s boxes. The content sounds yummy!!
Thanks for your comment, Catarina. I truly was pleased and amazed at the quality of the culinary offerings and chocolate I found throughout California. But San Fran really shines on the chocolate front!