Artisan chocolate in the District?

[cigar12345]

Just moved here. Anyone have any recs for a high-quality choclatier where I could get good salted caramels?

[hill food]

are these places (ACKC and Locolat) still open? I almost never buy chocolates, but was highly impressed when I tried them

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/621038

[Steve]

Locolat is still there, but ACKC is not.

[BrianD]

The ACKC in the Del Ray neighborhood in Alexandria is still open -- if you're willing to leave the DC.

[hill food]

damn, yet another thing gone. this world spins too darn fast.

[bcarter3]

Chocolate Chocolate, at Farragut North, has "Buttery Sweet & Savory Sea Salt Caramels..." .

A search of the website http://www.chocolatedc.com/ turned up a dozen variations for "Salted Caramels".

Haven't tried the salted caramels, but Chocolate Chocolate carries Lillie Belle Farms of Oregon selections, which are my favorite artisanal chocolate.

[Bob W]

CC is a very nice shop. I have a friend out in Oregon who is a regular patron of Lillie Belle, he says the owner is a great guy. And the chocolates are excellent.

[tcamp]

Don't miss the tres leches caramel bunnies for easter!

http://www.fleurirchocolates.com/

They have a store in DC, a new one in Alexandria, and sell online. Very nice stuff.

[VaPaula]

I really like Cocova. I haven't had salted caramels there, but I have sampled some of their chocolates. They don't make it on premises, but they gather some interesting - and very good - chocolates from around the world.

[hamster]

Yes, Cocova is amazing. I re-discovered it back in December and it's incredible.

[Steve]

Just to reiterate, Cocova is a chocolate shop that sells products made by others. In addition to packaged chocolates from around the world, they carry an assortment of fresh chocolates produced locally and regionally. It's a great resource to know about.

A block away is one of DC's best chocolates: Locolat is a Belgian café that makes their own. I particularly like the dark sea salt chocoates and the fruited buttercream chocolates. If you are looking specifically for CBS chocolate, you'll have to get lucky or order in advance. It's a small shop and their inventory changes constantly. Expensive.

There is a Leonidas shop in Georgetown which sells fresh Belgian chocolates flown in at least every week. Prices are reasonable considering the quality. If I was giving fresh chocolate as a gift, this would be my top choice.

[laraffinee]

Sadly, Leonidas in Georgetown has closed. They had great chocolate. I got a gift of chocolates this Valentine's day from Dean and Deluca in Georgetown, and they were wonderful. I do not know if they make their own or what, but they reminded me of La Maison du Choclat in Paris - they were that good.