Chocolati
Truffles, $9.25/6-piece gift box
Located is various scenic spots around town, Chocolati cafes are nice places to linger over a coffee or a sweet treat, watching the world go by from the climate-controlled side of a gleaming picture window. The Chocolati factory outlet on Aurora, on the other hand, is the kind of place where you get in, get your fix, and get out.
The dust-colored, board-paneled facade is a little tricky to spot the shop from the busy street, and seems to invite furtive visits from customers in dust-colored overcoats, with faces concealed by upturned collars. The only window is small (to discourage ram raids?) and grilled by a large neon sign.
Inside, the shop is dimly lit but clean and hospitable (I was helped by the owner's mother, a charming woman who was in the middle of wrapping 4000 chocolate umbrellas and describes herself as a "volunteer"). To the right are shelves lined with molded chocolate novelties that make perfect small gifts; there are touristy molded chocolate tulips and umbrellas and Space Needles, or molded chocolate tool sets for DIY enthusiasts--all securely wrapped in cellophane or colorful foil. On other shelves there are cocoas and wedding mints and mis-wrapped hospitality chocolates.
There is also a display case full of truffles, to which I gravitated. Chocolati's truffles are on the large side and available in a wide range of flavors--many of them nicely spicy. I especially liked the dark chocolates and those that had been rolled in crunchy sanding sugar. I also had a funny-looking cherry cordial from the bottom shelf, where factory seconds are sold for less than half price.
Chocolati Factory Outlet Store
7708 Aurora Avenue North
Seattle, WA
206/784-5212
206/784-5212
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