dandelion chocolate {san francisco}

During my trip to San Francisco I had the great pleasure of going on a tour of the Mission district. If you think SF is foodie obsessed, the Mission District is its beating heart. Leading our group in and out of some of the best places was Sean Timberlake who, besides being a blogger there, also leads these mouthwatering tours for Edible Excursions.

While it was one delicious experience after the next, perhaps the highlight was a sweet trip to a chocolate factory. Of course San Francisco would have a bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the middle of town, right? This small place sources single varietals of beans directly from growers, and then roasts and grinds them right on Valencia street, before  pouring them into bars to be hand wrapped in pretty gold foil.

I’m not usually a big fan of super dark chocolate (and all of their bars are 70%) but tasting the different bars at Dandelion was a revelation. I think that up until now I didn’t like all of those other bars because they just weren’t that interesting or that good. Being able to taste the huge difference from bar to bar was uniquely thrilling. Some were incredibly fruity, others had nutty tones. None was the usual chocolate I was used to.

Besides being a factory, Dandelion also has a small cafe up front, where you can try the handful of exquisite pastries they craft from their own chocolate. I fell in love with the mini chocolate caramel tarts and went back the very next day to have a second dose of the best marocchino (espresso, hot chocolate and whipped cream) ever. (yes, even better than in Rome)

I’m now sort of regretting that I gave away most of the bars I bought  as gifts when I got back to Rome. (It seemed like a good idea at the time) Anyone coming over from SF anytime soon? 

Dandelion Chocolate
740 Valencia Street
Wed-Sun from 11am-6pm.

If you’d like to have Sean Timberlake take you on a tour of this delicious neighborhood you can book a tour through Edible Excursions.