Cacao

Written by mojdeh on September 27, 2014 in I Eat America, I Eat...Out with 0 Comments

(cacaodrinkchocolate.com) – West End neighborhood, Portland, Oregon

How I heard of this place: After our walking tour, talk of dessert abounded! And drinking chocolate on a chilly, sunny autumn afternoon sounded like the clear winner.

Type of cuisine: Drinking chocolate.

Ambiance: An old world, rustic feel emanates the room as one enters the Cacao market of fine, artisanal chocolates.

Delicately packaged and presented, the bars of indulgent chocolate are truly the stars at this local market/cafe.

Everything chocolate, from bars, nibs and perfumes to drinking chocolate, found at the register/bar to the back corner finds its way into the heart of Cacao Drinking Chocolate.

“Cacao features a hand picked selection of chocolate from around the world, including the best premium solid chocolate bars from small producers, select chocolate from the best local chocolatiers and North American makers, and our house-made drinking and hot chocolates.

We are a specialty chocolate shop with a focus on North American craft chocolate makers and North West chocolatiers. Founded in 2006 by Jesse Manis and Aubrey Lindley, Cacao is a collection of the best chocolate in the world. Each item is carefully selected based on a range of different criteria—value is placed on areas of focus like small manufacturers, chocolate made in countries where cacao is grown, organic and fair market practices, transparency of operations, value pricing, and limited chains of manufacturing and distribution.

Ultimately though we care most about flavor and quality and are always seeking out new and exciting flavors in cacao beans and chocolate. We never want to forget that chocolate is meant for the pleasure of eating.

Chocolate has come a long way in a very short time. With an explosion of American small craft chocolate makers, (in 2006 there were approximately 3, now there are over 100) we offer an opportunity for our customers to explore this exciting new world of chocolate in an open and honest way, avoiding traps of excessive packaging, unreasonable margins, and exaggerated hype. This is not a collection of all makers. It is a collection of the best makers.

We make samples of our bars available to our customers when they are shopping, helping them to make the right selection with the aid of sampling and advice. We are very excited to have this selection of chocolate available, and hope that you will be too!”

What I ordered: The simple shot of Rivoli ($2), two ounces of pure drinking chocolate, served warm and ready to sip.

My husband chose the same, only the four-ounce variety ($4).

On a return visit, Saturday, 18 June 2016: We stopped by the small establishment in the Heathman Hotel just before Father’s Day for another indulgent sample!