DC Is Chocolate City
Caffeine, sugar, fat, and that one chemical that's in marijuana ... chocolate gives you all four food groups in one delicate punch. Americans on the go do love it so, but sadly, as our vast middle class gets ripped in two, the social fault line doth lie between those who know good chocolate and those who eat Hershey's. If you thought the chocolate fountain at last year's office party was special, just stop reading. What you don't know is that Washington DC is home to a number of high-class chocolate-makers (e.g. J. Chocolatier and Chocolaterie Wanders) who are dedicated to granting the capital its choco fix.
Kingsbury Chocolates
Ye Olde Town's chocolate shop lures in cultured Alexandrians as if they were pedestrian tourists caught in Willy Wonka's tractor beam. It's all about nostalgic bonbons -- … think maple creams, lemon creams, strawberry creams, and uh, chocolate turtles (remember those?). For just $3, you can sip an injection of serious hot chocolate. [link]
Godiva
1143 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
The Starbucks of fan-see chocolate has five locations in DC, but this is their only shop that's not in some mall or Georgetown. It's also next door to the Mayflower … and therefore posher than Ms. Beckham. Even as a franchise, Godiva's got game: lots of chocolaty chocolates to drool over and chocolaty coffee drinks to sip through a straw and pretend you're Viennese. (photo) [link]
The Curious Grape
4056 28th St S
Arlington, VA 22206
Once upon a time there was a decadent wine shop (in Shirlington?) that grew up to be the best chocolate shop in the burbs. The Grape has a solid reputation for knowing … what's what hip in gourmet chocolate, including Washington's largest inventory of single-origin chocolates ever and all the locally made brands. Their informative evening tastings give you snob credentials in under an hour with wine pairings to match. (photo) [link]
Chocolate Moose
1743 L St NW
Washington, DC 20036
There's only one reason to step inside this offbeat card shop -- well maybe two if you're at work and you forgot someone's birthday. Otherwise, come here to get loaded … with über-dainty Leonidas chocolates. Leonidas is the famed Greek-American-cum-Belgian chocolatier that you've probably never heard of unless you've lived in Europe or else had a friend that passed through any airport and bought you some. Chocolate Moose carries them. To order correctly, ask for prah-leee-nay. (photo) [link]
Chocolate Chocolate
1050 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
Your assistant comes here right after you scream at him. Like a sake bar but with chocolate, this corner shop is a well-known getaway for a legal afternoon pick-me-up. … Expect vintage chocolates like your grandmother used to give you (almond bark) and feel-good American favorites à la chocolate-covered pretzels. Also, they have lots of organic chocolate made by Vermont hippies. [link]
Artisan Confections
4815 Lee Hwy
Arlington, VA 22207
Arlington's favorite son is Jason Andelman, local food artist extraordinaire and chocolate wizard. His trick is packing lots of color into pretty little handmade … packages, then surprising you with crazy flavors at the end. It's chocolate that makes Washingtonians feel on par with New York. [link]
Biagio
1904 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Gentrification tastes like chocolate, and this bite-size shop in pre-Adams Morgan is just one of the perks that comes with your inflated mortgage. Biagio's carries all … that's hip in the world of chocolate: on most days, it's the only place in town where you'll find Amadei(voted the world's best chocolate in 2007), along with a swarm of strange local chocolate delicacies. For real decadence, stand at the tasting bar and slurp down the candy equivalent of absinthe shots. [link]
