385946 Wed Mar 28 12:54:03 -0700 2007 9 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 2429492 I got it into my head to do a SF chocolate tour of different shops, prferebly four or five spots. Where do people recommend we go? Have you had any sinfully decadent truffles that you think everyone should try? I want to stay away from the touristy places like Ghiradelli and the Cannery, but am open to anything else. Thanks! Wed Mar 28 12:54:04 -0700 2007 69432 mlucier 1 2429518 You'd have to trek over to Berkeley but Scharffen Berger gourmet chocolates offers free public tours of their facility. You have to reserve a space on their website. And their cafe has some yummy chocolate items on the menu. Wed Mar 28 13:00:36 -0700 2007 2429492 82209 VirgoBlue 2 2429753 Here are some that might be of interest- If you do go over to the East Bay, in Oakland Michael Mischer Chocolates see thread-http://www.chowhound.com/topics/381922 Emeryville- http://www.charleschocolates.com/contact-us.php Bittersweet Cafe- http://www.bittersweetchocolatecafe.com/ In SF Recchiuti Confections XOX Truffles- North Beach Hopefully some other serious chocolate hounds will add or give more options.. these are the ones I know and like, I am not a connoisseur by all means. Ferry Plaza Wed Mar 28 13:54:00 -0700 2007 2429518 52212 Lori SF 3 2430019 I second all the above ... especially xox. Wed Mar 28 14:56:24 -0700 2007 2429753 10264 rworange 3 2430110 If you do the East Bay thing, XOX also has a location in Oakland (Montclair Village). Wed Mar 28 15:20:59 -0700 2007 2429753 28161 chompy 4 2430139 I would just warn that th staff at Monclair Village on my visit was incompetant. Wed Mar 28 15:30:15 -0700 2007 2430110 10264 rworange 3 2430440 I second Bittersweet. They make confections of their own, but mainly I love their extensive selection of chocolate bars from around the world, some with some intresting added flavors. Also, there's a place in the Ferry Building that makes excellent truffles, but I can't recall the name. Anyone? It's not the Sharffen Berger shop. Wed Mar 28 16:59:23 -0700 2007 2429753 53530 Zeldog 4 2430491 I believe you're referring to Recchiuti. http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/recchiuti_confections.php Wed Mar 28 17:15:09 -0700 2007 2430440 77809 gemster 1 2430510 Charles Chocolates is unveiling their cafe and factory tours next month. You can also arrange for a private tasting & tour. They are a fun, modern concept with very tasty products. I esp. adore the chocolate w. caramelized rice krispies. Yum. http://www.charleschocolates.com/store.php Wed Mar 28 17:20:51 -0700 2007 2429492 11191 foodiegrl 1 2441409 Also consider CocoaBella. There's one in the Marina, on Union Street and a new one in the new Westfield shopping center. Here's the link: http://www.cocoabella.com/index2.php Sun Apr 01 19:08:49 -0700 2007 2429492 85363 ducky