Where to get chocolate in Phoenix
Chocolate, flowers and hearts are everywhere - that must mean it’s time for Valentine’s Day. Flowers and hearts are nice and all, but we think chocolate for Valentine’s Day is where it’s at. Here’s a list of where to get the best chocolate treats in Phoenix.
Christopher’s Chocolate Tower
A lacey chocolate column filled with milk-chocolate mousse, drizzled with espresso-scented crème anglaise and garnished with seasonal berries. Hello, lover. The waiters at Christopher’s see us coming a mile away – it’s impossible to resist a suggestion of the Chocolate Tower for dessert.
Chocolate Milkshake at 5 ‘n Diner
As self-proclaimed chocolate milkshake connoisseurs, we hereby name the chocolate shake at 5 ‘n Diner our favorite. Feel free to pair it with a side of French fries.
Locally owned but nationally known, we are known to get excited and scared whenever a delivery of Fairytale Brownies is delivered to the office. Excited, because these are the best brownies around, scared because we seriously lack self-control in their presence.
Find your “Wei” with Wei of Chocolate. Organic, vegan, fair-trade chocolate made with flower essences = guilt free indulgence. We find our “wei” at the Downtown Phoenix Public Market.
Our serendipitous discovery of Chocofin chocolates happened during a day trip to Cottonwood in the Pillsbury Wine Company Tasting Room. Our server recommended pairing a dark chocolate black currant marzipan chocolate with the red wine we were drinking. Wowza. We’re hooked. The flavor combination was like nothing we’ve had before. Simply amazing.
Cerreta’s has been a Phoenix staple for many generations. Located in downtown Glendale, you can take a tour of the factory to see how their candy is made. Even better, the tour is free and they often let you sample some product. Our personal favorites include the Arizona Camelback Bar and the French Mint Truffles.
Julia Baker Confections Chocolate Dessert Boutique
Located at the Montelucia Resort, Julia Baker Confections offers European style chocolates, confections that you can enjoy with some wine, champagne and espresso in the café.
Chocolate Bread Pudding from Cornish Pasty
It was love at first taste for us when we tried this sweet, gooey and delicious dessert at Cornish Pasty. Homemade bread, baked in rich chocolate brandy sauce and served with crème aglaise or ice cream, we now make a point to order dessert first at Cornish Pasty.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
I really love discovering local treasures. I'm just sorry it took me so long to make it out to the Queen Creek Olive Mill. Since I'm such a sucker for breakfast, we opted to try theirs out. I had to go for the vanilla bean olive oil waffle with bananas and pecans (hint: waffles are served all day). And, as luck would have it, we arrived before 10:30 and got a discount on breakfast by checking in via FourSquare. To describe the waffle as delicious would be an understatement. Other waffle options include the Classic and Berries & Cream. The rest of the menu looked equally fantastic, but I'd be hard pressed not to get the waffle again.
Vanilla Bean Olive Oil Waffle with Bananas, Pecans & Fresh Made Whipped Cream
After eating, we wandered through the retail area (and made purchases, of course) and then took the tour. The retail store includes more olive oil options than I ever thought possible, a variety of tapenades, an olive bar, cupcakes, lotions, etc. If you can put olives or olive oil in it, I think they have it. They also offer a nice selection of wines including many from local wineries. And be sure to take advantage the olive oil and tapenades samplings.
I highly recommend making the tour part of your visit to QCOM. It's only $5 per person, and you really get the low down on how they produce their extra virgin olive oil using sustainable farming practices.
The olive oil magic happens here
Outdoor picnic tables for enjoying our warm, sunny weather
Oh, don't forget to grab some gelato on your way out. I can vouch for the chocolate olive oil flavor (yum), and a little QCOM birdie told us that the raspberry gelato drizzled with chocolate olive oil is a must. They do mix it up with their gelato flavors so who knows what they might have when you visit.
To see more photos of my visit to Queen Creek Olive Mill, check out our Flickr stream.
Queen Creek Olive Mill
25062 S. Meridian Road
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
queencreekolivemill.com
Things to do Thanksgiving weekend in Phoenix
Ice skating rink at CityScape
The turkey is gone, the dishes are clean, now what? If you have out-of-town visitors to entertain, we have some suggestions for you.
Shopping
The day after Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. Instead of fighting the crowds on Black Friday, take your visitors shopping on Saturday for Small Business Saturday. You’re sure to find unique gifts for everyone on your list, show your guests what fantastic local shopping options Phoenix has and they’ll go home with fond memories of their Thanksgiving weekend. We recommend:
frances vintage and frances studio 10 West Camelback Road, Phoenix
Smeeks 10 West Camelback Road, Phoenix
Practical Art 5070 North Central Avenue in Phoenix
Bunky Boutique 1437 North 1st Street, Phoenix
Experience the Local Flavor
The last thing you probably want to do after preparing a Thanksgiving feast is cook. So take your guests out to sample the local flavors of Phoenix.
Phoenix restaurants featured by the Food Network
Phoenix Public Market Open-Air Market, Saturday 8am – 1pm 721 North Central Avenue, Phoenix
Experience the West
So we may know that as Phoenicians we don’t all ride horses to work and wear cowboy boots every day, but some of our visiting family may think so. Show them a good time at any of these Wild West themed establishments.
Rustler’s Rooste 8383 South 48th Street, Phoenix
Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse 10426 East Jomax Road, Scottsdale
Greasewood Flat 27375 North Alma School Parkway, Scottsdale
El Chorro 5550 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley
Get Into the Holiday Spirit
Get into the holiday spirit this weekend with Christmas tree lightings, ice skating rinks and visits from Santa and more.
CityScape Phoenix Holiday Tree Lighting
Glendale Glitters Spectacular Weekend
3rd Annual Stagecoach Village Art Festival
Ornament Marketplace at the Heard Museum
Take a Day Trip
There are plenty of great destinations that are only a few hours away from Greater Phoenix. Show your guests how beautiful Arizona really is with these day trip ideas.
Sweet Salvage
I finally made it to Sweet Salvage this weekend. Sweet Salvage is a monthly, four day flea market that starts on the third Thursday of the month and ends the following Sunday. Each market has a theme, and I absolutely loved this month’s French Market feel. It was the perfect way to pretend that I had been whisked away to Paris for the weekend.
Each month Sweet Salvage has a new theme. This month's was a French Market theme.
This refurbished chair is magnifique!
Oui, s'il vous plaît!
I can’t wait to see what theme and treasures the Sweet Salvage ladies come up with for next month!
Sweet Salvage is located at 4809 N. 7th Avenue in Phoenix. See more photos from our visit to Sweet Salvage on Flickr.
Things to do in Phoenix this weekend (October 14 – 16)
While looking at our events calendar this week, we noticed that there are a ton of events to choose from this weekend. We decided to put them all in one place for you. Enjoy!
Friday, October 14 – Sunday, October 16
Heard Museum Shops Annual Fall Sale
Get a jump on holiday shopping – and check out the bargains – at the Heard Museum Shops Annual Fall Sale. This twice-yearly shopping event offers discounts on the finest authentic American Indian artwork – almost everything from Kachina dolls, jewelry to baskets, to textiles, pottery and fine art will be 10 percent off. Heard Museum members save an extra 10 percent off all purchases – for a total of 20 percent off – and non-members will save 10 percent off on handmade, one-of-a-kind American Indian art, which the Shop purchases directly from artists.
Wild Western Festival at Saguaro Ranch Park
Celebrate Arizona’s western heritage at this festival benefiting the Arizona Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. There will be western themed exhibitions, activities for all ages and a western themed market.
The Arizona State Fair kicks off this weekend with tons of kickin' concerts, adrenaline-pumping rides, deliciously sinful foods, exhibits and more! The Arizona State Fair goes through November 16th and is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Thrill seekers can run with 40 bulls on a quarter-mile track in downtown Cave Creek. Participants must be 18 and older. The festival features parties, concerts, rodeo clown competitions, exhibit booths and food and drink vendors.
Saturday, October 15 – Sunday, October 16
Jazz lovers won’t want to miss this event with two full days of great music and entertainment featuring artists such as, guitar great Norman Brown and recent winner for Best Wind Player at the American Smooth Jazz Awards, saxophonist Richard Elliot, as well as other jazz mainstays including, Jonathan Butler, Eric Darius and Maysa, Euge Groove, Mindi Abair, Turning Point and more!
This food festival will feature over 20 Cave Creek area restaurants, a film festival, wine tasting a beer garden, live music and so much more.
Saturday, October 15
Put on your Lederhosen or Dirndls and come out for this great Bavarian Festival. A traditional German Volksfest in the heart of Phoenix, a giant Bier Garten with buxom beer maidens serving Bavarian brews and Bavarian bands playing lively tunes and leading sing-alongs of old time drinking songs will all be on display. With mouth watering sausages and authentic strudel , this is surely the biggest old-world family event! Whether you hail from Germany or central Phoenix, sample traditional German foods and drinks, enjoy the music, and shop from a variety of authentic German products. Bring the family - there are lots of fun kid’s activities for their enjoyment. Bis Spaeter!
Everyone from valley restaurants to amateur competitors will sign up for their chance to taco-battle it out for $7,500. Expect a huge VIP tent, lucha libre wrestling, beer donkeys, a main bar experience sponsored by a local taco shop, a margarita challenge, hot chili pepper eating contest, and a boutique tequila expo tent featuring over 30 different brands of premium tequilas, a kid’s zone, and so much more. Get ready for the Scottsdale Waterfront turning into taco town and a place that will be sure to spice things up this weekend.
TASTE Chandler Culinary Festival
TASTE Chandler’s Culinary Festival is a gourmet food and wine tasting event that features Chandler’s finest. The idea and concepts have been created to showcase local businesses, local restaurants, benefiting local charities, and maintaining community involvement and outreach.
Giant Flaming Robot? Marshmallow Chucker? These are just a few of the crazy inventions you'll find at MakerFaire. A one-day, family-friendly event that celebrates arts, crafts, engineering, food, music, science and technology projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. It’s for creative, resourceful people who like to tinker and love to make things.
Front Porch Festival and Old Town Marketplace
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather in Downtown Glendale at the 17th Annual Front Porch Festival & Old Towne Marketplace. More than 80 shops and eateries have lots of special activities planned for the day, including demonstrations, make & take crafts, special treats and so much more. The shops in Catlin Court showcase their specialties on their lawns and porches, while the shops in Old Towne always have something wonderful going on inside. Plan to spend your day in the area. Start at the Glendale Visitor Center (5800 W. Glenn Drive, #140) to pick up a downtown walking map.
The annual traveling bike parade and beer festival returns to Tempe Beach Park, inviting revelers to pedal up in their craziest costumes and enjoy craft beers from New Belgium Brewing. The all-day event starts with a wacky bike parade through Tempe, then everyone gathers at the park to sip on Fat Tire Amber Ale and Hoptober Golden Ale, listen to live bands and people watch.
8th Annual Native Foods and Crafts Fair
Shop for produce, visit the pumpkin patch, try your luck at the Watermelon eating contest and stop by the free Kid's Crafts area. Native American artists and craftspeople will be demonstrating traditional arts and crafts. Frybread and other refreshments will be available for sale.
Annual Otsukimi Moonviewing Festival
The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix presents a traditional Japanese celebration of the full moon and an abundant fall harvest: Otsukimi Moonviewing 2011. This annual fundraiser is an evening of delicious fare (prepared by Tohzan Nagasaki Grill and Fujiya Market) and exciting entertainment. Experience a taiko explosion by Fushicho Daiko Taiko Drummers, demonstrations by Arizona Aikido and Kenshin Dojo of Iaido Swordsmanship, authentic Japanese Ondo Folk-dancing, poetry reading, and heartfelt musical performances throughout the evening. Discover shopping pleasures from a variety of vendors at our Marketplace.
You will enjoy bento under the clear fall sky, peer through a telescope at the moon, stroll the path and feed the gorgeous koi as you cross the bridge over the pond. Feeling creative? Write a haiku poem or send your wishes to the wind. When you arrive, sign in at the Tea House to view a tea ceremony demonstration presented throughout the evening.
Rocky Horror Picture Show Sing-Along
Get ready to do the "Time Warp" at this one-night-only sing-along of the cult classic, hosted by Grand Canyon Performing Arts. Fans are encouraged to don their best "Rocky Horror"-inspired costumes, and join others for a fun time at Steele Indian School Park. Prizes will be given out for the best costume and best performance, and there'll be a cash bar and silent auction.
El Chorro
With views of both Camelback and Mummy Mountains and its famous sticky buns, dining on the patio at El Chorro is one of those quintessential Arizona experiences. I recently visited the property to take a tour of the newly remodeled bar, restaurant and event venues. The staff was nice enough to provide a lovely spread of food and drinks, and sent me home with a box of their famous sticky buns to enjoy later.
Cool fall temps + El Chorro's patio + cheese and charcuterie plate + wine = a perfect evening.
Heaven awaits inside...
El Chorro was originally built in 1934 as the Judson School for Girls, and in 1937 it was converted to a restaurant and lodge. Since then, it has been host to some of Arizona’s most famous families and visitors such as Barry Goldwater and Frank Lloyd Wright. The recent remodel is unique in its restoration of the historical aspects of the property, but also in receiving a LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me!
No matter where you are on the property, the views at El Chorro are fantastic.
Aside from all the technical aspects, El Chorro is a gorgeous property. Whether you are a visitor or a local, I highly recommend stopping by.
El Chorro Fall 2011 Schedule
Tuesday – Saturday
• Happy Hour 4-7pm
• Dinner 5 – 7pm
Sunday
• Brunch 9am – 3pm
• Happy Hour 4 – 7pm
• Dinner 3 – 9pm
Happy Hour
• Tuesday thru Sunday from 4 – 7pm
• Happy Hour Menu
• House wines and beer half price
• Daily martini and margarita specials
Live Entertainment
• Friday evenings from 6 – 9pm
El Chorro offers a fantastic three-course prix fixe meal prepared with seasonal and local ingredients for $30 during dinner hours.
El Chorro is located at 5550 East Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley. Find more photos from our visit to El Chorro on Flickr.
P.S. El Chorro is also a great place to hold an event, meeting or wedding!
