Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolate shop SF, report w/ pics

[hhc]

It's a nice, clean shop. We went on Sat 2/16/08 and there 4 people there to help customers, no Christopher Elbow. I overheard he'll be there Mon.

They don't give out samples. His chocolates are hella pretty.

I got a 16 piece box for $32 and I picked all my own pieces. You can also get a pre-made box, but that's no fun.

2 pc box $5
4 pc box $10
9 pc box $20
16 pc box $32
21 pc box $40

Tried so far: Caramel w/ Fleur De Sel; Persian; Caramel w/ strawberry balsamic; Raspberry. Raspberry is my favorite so far.

Credit cards taken.

Drinking chocolate menu $4.5 a cup. 14 different kinds to choose from.

Nice lounge area to sit & relax. Magazines available to read.

One unisex bathroom to use.

Hrs:
Hours are Mon-Thu 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm, and Sun 12pm-6pm. 401 Hayes St. at Gough, 415-355-1105.

My pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow...

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Christopher Elbow
401 Hayes St, San Francisco, CA

[ChowFun_derek]

Thanks for your review and wonderful slide show...you've definitely tempted me...it will be a must try...very soon....thanks again!

[rworange]

Excellent, excellent pictures ... you've topped your usual fine work. I have a real feel for the place ... those boxed chocolotes are just lovely ... did you get the yuzu or caramel with cabernet?

However most of all THANK YOU for that picture of the hot chocolate menu ... the website doesn't list it and I've been curious ... for anyone else who might want know ... thanks to hhc ... here it is

Americana: Rich, dark chocolate with milk
European style: Rich, dark chocolate with water
Mocha: Dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla
Extra Dark: 85% dark chocolate with milk

Chinese five spice: Dark chooclate, chinese 5-spice powder
Coconut curry: Dark chocolate, coconut milk, curry powder
Ginger caramel: Dark chocolate, ginger, caramel
Orange citrus: Dark chocolate with orange and citrus
Passion fruit: Dark chocolate with passion fruit
Peanut butter: Dark chocolate with peanut butter
Peppermint: Dark chocolate, mint
Raspberry: Dark chocolate, raspberry
Roasted hazelnut: Dark chocolate, hazelnut
Venezuelan spice: Dark chocolate infused with chile and spice

You made me chuckle. I know your reports usually contain information about the rest room facilities. This is the first time there was a photo.

[Windy]

Caramels are definitely their strength. Aside from the delicious fleur de sel turtle, I've had the orange citrus and cabernet caramels, both lovely, as well as chocolate-coated raspberry pate de fruit.

Not impressive: the very pretty Persian (with marzipan) and Russian tea truffles, honey caramel, and port-filled one. The pop rocks truffle is okay, but Cocoa Bella sells a different pop rocks chocolate without peanut butter that's better. Pop Rocks is apparently this year's pomegranate.

[kleungsf]

Stopped by there last Monday night when they first opened. Ordered a cup of spicy mexican hot chocolate and a couple of pieces of chocolate and sat at the lounge which looks into the street. Very cool place and very good chocolate. Staff was very helpful to explain the chocolate and the place has excellent chocolate and good vibe. Given the quality of the chocolate I can see why they don't do samples (this isn't See's :-) )

Definitely worth stopping by after dinner for dessert.