Bittersweet in San Francisco
On a rainy and cold day in San Francisco, hot chocolate can seem mighty appealing. Fortunately, there are a number of establishments where chocolate is taken very seriously, including the Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe. Bittersweet does not have to be reserved for inclement weather: they have a large assortment of chocolate products and cooling drinks which are delicious on warm, bright days too!
If you've come for the hot chocolate, the staff can tell you about all of the different varieties on the menu and recommend something to satisfy every palate. I prefer the Spicy, a dense hot chocolate made with spices and peppers which has an intense, fiery kick. The Bittersweet, the title hot chocolate, is indeed bittersweet. For those who like their hot chocolate rich and complex with a strong cocoa flavor, the Bittersweet is where it's at. For traditionalists, the Classic is made with a rich, high quality chocolate that dances on the tongue with a delightfully creamy flavor. They also make an exotic White Chocolate Dream, using white chocolate and cardamom for a delicious and almost Middle Eastern injection of flavor. There are numerous other chocolate drinks on the menu to explore, but be aware that all of the drinks are very rich and dense: you will probably have difficulty finishing even one!
Bittersweet also has a stunning array of chocolate bars from all over the world, broken up by milk, bittersweet, and dark. The staff are very knowledgeable about the chocolate products they sell, and are usually delighted to provide recommendations. Bittersweet has something for every palate from milky sweet Swiss chocolate bars to complex French dark bars with fleur de seul. They also have a wide selection of organic, fair trade, and vegan chocolates, for consumers who are conscious about what they eat. Diabetics can find bars which are sugar free: Bittersweet really does cater to everyone.
In addition to the bar chocolates, Bittersweet has a selection of chocolate pastries and confections including beautiful and exotic truffles, fresh marshmallows, and breakfast croissants. The baked goods have a high level of quality, and are wonderful at any time of the day or night. The chocolate confections often use complex and interesting flavors like unique liquers, chilies, and nuts. Plain dark, white, and milk truffles are available as well if you are in no mood to experiment.
The storefront and cafe has a very casual, fun feel. I often see parents with young children, college students doing homework, and chocolate aficionados with their noses deep in steaming, rich cups of chocolate.
Bittersweet can be found on 2123 Fillmore Street, right around the corner from California Street. They are open Sunday-Thursday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
