Chocolate, the New Coffee

Check out the article in this week's Newsweek re:"Chocolate, the New Coffee". Where to stop between when you're too caffiened from latte and it's too early for cocktails.
Apparently the new "rage" is chocolate bars (not like in Hershey nor as in hot cocoa) but as in "meeting for chocolates", ganaches, bonbons etc. as sort of High Tea without Tea. These places, both individual and chains, have chocolate service at tables.
well, well....now who has been to one?

I've yet to be to one, as there are none yet in Colorado, but I've researched a couple and they definitely sound enticing. (Brulee in Atlantic City even offers 3 course "meals" of rich desserts). I think I prefer my dessert after dinner, but it would be fun to try one of these places out.

When I read the topic I was sure you were talking about the new 70% dark chocolate which is suddenly everywhere. even hersheys is making it.as well as all the designer brands. It is like coffee because of all the different places of origin of the cacao beans/nibs, similar to the varieties of coffee.it tastes good. beth

I don't subscribe to Newsweek and couldn't find the article on their web site, so I didn't/couldn't read it, but this doesn't seem especially new. San Francisco has always had high quality chocolatiers and/or bakeries, some of which offer tables to sit and enjoy a handmade truffle or some sort of chocolate baked concoction. “CocoaBella [Chocolates] is all about presentation. Shoppers can pore over more than 150 different types of chocolates presented on marble slabs ...much as they would fine jewelry. Confections like chocolate-covered fresh figs and white chocolate and pistachio ganache come from fine chocolatiers in the United States and Europe." But this place is a relative newcomer. Joseph Schmidt has been around for 20 years. there's also Scharffen-Berger with their new place at the Ferry Building: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/html/pastry__ice_cream___chocolate.html#scharffen . Notice I'm avoiding a mention of Ghirardelli--they have gone utterly corporate.