605954 Sun Mar 22 19:06:59 -0700 2009 1 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 4528626 Viva Cocolat has been in downtown Petaluma for about a year and today was the first time I've been there. The short version is that they have a pretty large selection of high-quality (and some more pedestrian) chocolate things in a very nice and inviting shop. I had a cup of their sipping chocolate, and it was truly sipping chocolate and not "hot chocolate". It was intense enough that a small sip was enough each time with no temptation to just drink the whole thing. For those who remember the intense hot chocolate at La Dolce V in Sebastopol, that was wonderful and intense hot chocolate but this sipping chocolate at Viva Cocolat is another thing entirely, more intense and much thicker. Chocolate lovers need to go there and check it out. Sun Mar 22 19:06:59 -0700 2009 10724 Mick Ruthven 1 4656705 I was in town on a rainy Sunday morning and it seemed like a good time to try this. It is one of the better sipping hot chocolates I've tried. Not in a big destination type of way, but great if you live in or are visiting the area. They use Callebaut for the sipping chocolate. Often sipping chocolate is so intense as to be undrinkable. This was nicely balanced and enjoyable. It is a nice place to sit and have coffee or other drink. It seemed a shame that there was a line out the door at Starbucks across the street and this place was empty. They don't make any of the desserts or chocolates but have a nice selection of truffles, bars and other chocolate things. I don't know the area well enough to see how it compares. They also have chocolate classes (check the website). Friday and Saturday there is chcolate fondue (dark, milk or white) with seasonal dips such as fruit, cake, cookies, pretzels, krispies and marshmallows. Tue May 05 13:26:59 -0700 2009 4528626 10264 rworange