Sunday's are Fundays at Bittersweet!

In the New Year we are trying something new. Every Sunday beginning January 4th, is Family Game Day at Bittersweet Cafe, we are calling it Sunday's are Fundays.

Here's the scoop:

Between 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, when you buy a drink and a pastry you will receive a copy of the Sunday New York Times Crossword Puzzle

and then..

Between 12:00 - 8:00 PM, it is Family Game Day. Stop on by to check out our board games and see what special we will be running that day. January 4th's special will be 10% off our Classic Hot Chocolate. What a deal games for everyone and hot chocolate to boot.

So come in from the cold on Sunday's and have some family fun time. Sunday's are Fundays and Bittersweet Cafe Danville in the New Year.

Happy New Year!

Bittersweet Cafe Danville would like to thank you again for making our first five months here a success and for welcoming us with open arms. We would like to wish you and yours light and joy in the coming new year.

I would like to remind you of our holiday hours. Bittersweet Danville will be closing on New Years Eve at 4:00 PM and will be closed on New Years Day, so we may recover from the festivities. We will see you bright and early on January 2nd, at 7:00 AM.

This is another reminder that we are changing our opening hours during the week from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM, beginning January 5th. This makes our opening everyday at 8:00 AM.

Thank you and stay safe.

White Chocolate Dream?

We, here at Bittersweet Danville, get a lot of people in asking what is a White Chocolate Dream? Other than a wonderful sleepy time experience, it is a wonderful, creamy white chocolate hot chocolate.

Since we make all our own mixes here at Bittersweet Cafe, we know exactly what goes into our drinks. We don't use powders or pumps, we use real honest to god, chocolate. The White Chocolate Dream is made from milk, white chocolate, and dulce de leche, which adds a nice caramel flavor. We even make our own dulce de leche from scratch. It spends hours on the stove becoming a wonderful creamy caramel. We use the dulce de leche with our pudding as well, also made in house. The last ingredient is cardamon. A little spice to add some depth of flavor.

The White Chocolate Dream is sweet and creamy and really good over ice. One of the favorite ways to order the drink is with a shot of espresso. What a great way to start the day.

We Were Mentioned in the Wall Street Journal

Recently the esteemed newspaper The Wall Street Journal did and article about places to visit in three cities in our nation. San Francisco was one of those cities chosen and Bittersweet Cafe was one of those places to visit. We are proud and honored to be chosen to be a part of this list.

Please follow the link to the article to see the other places chosen out of our unique and wonderful Bay Area.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122937787368408365.html

Holiday Coloring Contest Winners!

Happy Holidays! Bittersweet is happy to announce that we have chosen our Holiday Coloring Contest Winners. Come by the store to see the winners and pick up your prize. They are currently being displayed on the pastry case.

I hope everyone has had a nice holiday and are looking forward to the New Year. I know I am. Please remember that we will be closing early, 4:00 PM, on New Year's Eve and will be closed for New Year's Day, so we may recover from our own revelations.

Once again, a reminder that Bittersweet will be changing it's hours beginning January 4th. We will be opening at 8:00 AM during the week instead of 7:00 AM. Please make a note in your calendars. The other hours will be remaining the same.

Thank You and Happy New Year!

Thank you for attending on Saturday!

I would like to thank everyone who attended our Coffee & Chocolate tasting event last Saturday. It was a great time. Seneca picked out some chocolates to match the Ecco Caffe coffee we were tasting and it was amazing. Here's what we tried in order.

Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Beloya - Abdullah Bagersh

Natural process . Sun dried

- Gorgeous apricot tones , elegantly sweet , strawberry noted finish . Mild rounded acidity .

Floral . sugarcane , berry basket aromatics .Rich syrupy body
Paired with Bittersweet Origins Puerto Plata Bar

Organic Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Konga Coop / Operation Cherry Red Reserve lot / special red ripe cherry sorting /preparation

Washed process

- Intoxicating floral, honey , stone fruit and jasmine aromatics segue into a gorgeously sweet and balanced cup. Very clean , long complex sugarcane finish . Notes of ginger . Rounded , balanced peak of season , stone fruit acidity

Paired with Republica Del Cacao Manabi Province 75% Dark Bar

Organic Ethiopia Korito Koran Cooperative - Sidamo Region / Dara District

Natural Process / Sun dried

- Tantalizing cassis/ currant, cocoa noted aromatics carry through to the cup . Very clean , sweet and balanced . Long lingering body , Medium - high , very balanced acidity .

Paired with Divine Dar Bar

Brazil Fazenda Cachoiera Yellow Bourbon - Taste of the Harvest Reserve Lot

Pulped natural process / Heirloom variety / Sun dried - African raised bed process

- Sugarcane , honey and caramel aromatics. Lovely notes of bittersweet chocolate buttery mouth feel ,caramel noted finish. Rounded. Very soft , sweet balanced acidity

Paired with El Rey Caoba Milk Chocolate Bar and Valrhona Palmira 2007


I would have never thought to pair a fuller bodied coffee with a milk chocolate bar, but it worked. For those of you who missed the fun we will be doing it again in the spring. What an eye opening event. I have a new appreciation for good coffee and how it can pair with chocolates and even a for a bar I didn't like before.

Again, thank you to all who attended and I look forward to our next event in February.

Holiday items are going fast!

Wow, the holiday's have really picked up and we are busy, busy. If you are looking for our wonderful stocking stuffers and holiday items, they are going fast. We have run out of a number of really cute and yummy items, but there are a few left, so come on by.

If you are looking for that perfect gift we still have one or two left. One of the neatest items is our Spa Package Basket, which contains a Burke Williams Gift Certificate and some luxurious chocolates. The perfect items for your someone special who deserves to be pampered.

Just a note on our holiday hours, Bittersweet Danville will be closing early, at 4:00 PM, on Christmas Eve and will be closed on Christmas Day. We will be open bright and early on the 26th at our regular store hours.

Happy Holiday's and Seasons Greetings to you and your loved ones from all of us at Bittersweet Cafe. Have a safe and healthy holiday.

This Saturday Coffee & Chocolate!

Our final event of the year is coming up this Saturday, December 20th from 2-4 PM. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet with Ecco Caffe's Andrew Barnett and taste some of his fine coffees as well as chocolate pairings by our own Seneca Klassen. This Coffee & Chocolate cupping event is not to be missed, especially for all of you coffee conoisseurs.

Please stop by and join us for an experience you will certainly enjoy.



Todays soup is Broccoli Cheddar.

Holiday Shopping Night Tomorrow Night!

Tomorrow night is the last event as part of our Mid-Week Mayhem series. It is our Holiday Shopping Night where you can receive a 10% discount on all drinks and merchandise and we will have various treats for you to snack on and maybe a little something for you to drink. This event runs beyond our normal business hours on a Wednesday. It is from 6-9 PM.

This is a way for you to shop in a calm relaxed environment and find everything that you need to stuff those stockings. There will also be no Holiday music playing, so that you don't overload on those fine tunes.

Please come and join us in our second to last event of the year. It is going to be a lot of fun and thoroughly enjoyable.


Thank you to all who attended our Spirits & Chocolate event on Sunday night. It was really informative and a whole lot of fun! I can't wait to do it again.


Today's soup is Chicken Coconut Curry....mmmmmmm!

Howdy Hoooooooo!

Let me introduce you to one of our more special holiday treats we have in stock, Bittersweet's little "Marshmallow Fellow."

Those of you out there who watch the TV show "South Park" may notice a slight (but purely coincidental) resemblance to one of the show's more enigmatic characters but let me tell you, our little guy here is 100% completely edible (except for the felt hat and wooden stick upon which he's perched, of course...), and 100% delicious.

Three fluffy marshmallows on a stick are dipped in milk chocolate and hand decorated to make this appealing treat, and we plenty on hand for stocking stuffers, treats for the kids, or even a small snack. We even have some Marshmallow Fellows dipped in white chocolate as well!

Come on by and check out this and the many many other holiday sweets we have available for your holiday gift giving needs!

Our soup for the day is Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew. Yum!

Next up - Spirits & Chocolate!

Thank you for all who attended last nights event! It was a great success and I'm sure a lot of fun.

Our next event is coming up this Sunday, December 14th from 7:30-9:00 PM. It is our Spirits & Chocolate: A Perfect Pair tasting and workshop. It also has limited seating, so please sign up now. This time Seneca Klassen is poised to talk about the joy of pairing spirits, like scotch and whiskey, with chocolate. I must say that I am new to this subject, but it really works for me.

Also, all that day we are running our charity event for the Athenian School Robotics Collective, where 15% of all proceeds by Athenian School Parents goes toward this great club. This year they are competing nationwide with their robot Chet VII. Go Team! We are very happy to help support this great group of kids.


Today soup is Split Pea with Ham.

Don't Forget This Thursday Chocolate 101!

Time is running out to sign up for Chocolate 101 with Seneca Klassen this Thurday, December 11th from 7-9 PM, spaces are filling up fast. It will be an evening of tasting and learning about all things chocolate. This will be a nice change from the fast paced holiday season.

Seneca is an owner of Bittersweet Cafe and our resident Chocolatier. You may be following his work on our Twitter blog. This is a great opportunity to learn from a man who knows chocolate and often travels to lecture about it. and if you have any questions about how to make chocolate or how we make our chocolate this is the perfect time to get those questions answered.

The fee is only $5 and you will receive a 15% off coupon to use in the store at your leisure. What a deal. Just call, email, or come in to sign up.


I am sorry to say that we are out of soup today until our delivery tomorrow.

Chocolate Ornaments Are Here!

What a unique and special gift, a chocolate ornament that can beautify your tree and you can enjoy eating instead of packing it away after the holidays. Bittersweet has two varieties to choose from.

One style of chocolate ornament is a dark chocolate ball covered in foil that comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

The other style is made to look like a light bulb from a strand of Christmas lights and are filled with chocolate covered sunflower seeds. These seeds are really yummy and colorful.

This is a gift that is a definite pleaser and conversation piece, something that most people have not seen. We have a limited supply, so please come down and pick out your favorite.


Today's soup is broccoli cheddar....

December Chocolate Bar Pick

I am going to go a little lighter for my chocolate bar pick for this month. Another of my favorites is from the French Chocolatier, Michel Cluizel, and his plantation Vila Gracinda bar from the island of Sao Tome in central Africa.

This 65% single origin dark bar is as smooth as you can get. Like most of Cluizel's chocolates, it is conched (ground) to a very fine nib that just melts in your mouth. This one lingers with hints of licorice, wood, and ripe tropical fruit, especially banana. This really is a great bar to savor and let sit on your tongue while you experience all the flavors.

If you are looking for chocolate to bake with all of the cluizel bars are a good choice. They can handle the heat a little more than some of the others, before burning and the quality is there to make your desserts special.

Come in and taste the Michel Cluizel "Vila Gracinda" 65% dar bar. I know you'll enjoy the experience.



Today's soup is Broccoli Cheddar.....mmmmmm

Dec. 20th - Coffee & Chocolate

Yet another amazing event this month.

Saturday, December 20th - 2-4PM "Coffee Cupping" with Ecco Caffe
The art of coffee cupping is not just for aficionados, but for coffee lovers of all walks of life. Similar to wine tasting, coffee cupping teaches the palette to appreciate coffee's body, substance, mouth feel, and subtle nuances. Andrew Barnett, owner of Ecco Caffe, and Drew Cattlin, coffee expert, will lead the event, giving you the opportunity to fully enjoy Ecco coffees with a chocolate pairing thrown in.

Come and join us for a unique experience.



Today's soup is Chicken Coconut Curry.......

Dec. 14th - A Very Big Day of Events!

Wow! This just in! December 14th will be a great day to come.

We will be having an all day charity event for the Athenian School Robotics Club. 15% of proceeds from Athenian School Parents will go toward helping the Robotics Club and Chet VII take the title at the Championships. Go Chet VII!

And this one you won't want to miss, from 7:30-9:00 we will be holding an after hours event. The store is closing slightly early to accommodate Spirits & Chocolate: A Perfect Pair, by Seneca Klassen. Ever wondered about how to pair wine with chocolate? Or if that single malt scotch would taste good with dark chocolate from Grenada? Pairing chocolate with spirits is a delightful way to entertain this Holiday season: Bring a friend and learn how with Seneca, our resident chocolate guru!

Sign up today, there are limited spaces available. Call, email, or come in to sign up!

See you at Bittersweet!

Holiday Coloring Contest On Now!

Our Thanksgiving Coloring Contest was so successful, that we have decided to have a holiday one as well. Bring your kids in and have them express themselves.

There are 3 pictures to choose from and our friendly Baristas would be happy to give you your favorite. Once again there are 3 categories; under age 5, 5-8, and 9-12. The prize is once again a $10 Gift Certificate for Bittersweet Cafe. The contest ends Christmas Eve and winners will be posted in the store on December 26th.

By the way, you can find the crayons hidden in the drawers of the tables, so you can always make your own drawing.

For the winners of the Thanksgiving Contest, the winners are posted in the store, so drop in and see if you or your child won.

Happy Coloring!

Don't Forget Your Frequent Buyer Card!

This holiday season is a great time to be a Bittersweet Frequent Buyer.

Not only do you get every 11th drink free, when making those holiday purchases you get advantages as well. For a $30 purchase or more you get 10% off and for purchases of $100 or more you receive 20% off.

What a deal!

Just ask your friendly barista for a card or present yours before your purchase.

Stop On By!

I am really looking forward to Family Game Night tonight from 6-8. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Also, we have Date Night next Wednesday Night from 6-8 PM and then on Thursday the 11th from 7-9 is Chocolate 101 with our own Chocolatier Seneca Klassen. Sign up now as spaces are going fast. There is a $5 fee for the tasting, but you will receive a 15% off coupon to use at your leisure.

Tomorrow night is the Rose Garden Shopping Center Holiday Shopping Night from 5-9 PM. You'll find some great deals.

There is a lot going on in the month of December here at Bittersweet Cafe, Danville. Just on the calendar is a Chocolate and Coffee Tasting with Ecco Caffe to be held on Saturday the 20th, from 2-4 PM. Andrew Barnett, the owner of Ecco Caffe, and Drew Cattlin, coffee expert, will be in attendance to answer your coffee questions tell you everything you would like to know about coffee.

Please put these events on your calendar and have a very chocolatey holiday season.

See you soon!


Today's soup is Chicken Coconut Curry.....

Family Game Night!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This is a reminder of tomorrow night's Family Game Night from 6-8PM here at the Cafe, as part of our Mid-week Mayhem series. We will have Uno, Connect Four, Candyland, Monopoly Express, Clue, and more. Please come by for 10% off our Classic hot chocolate and some fun times.

I hope to see you here!


Today's soup is hearty beef and vegetable stew...

Twittersweet!

We have a new link on our blog. Seneca Klassen, our esteemed Chocolatier, has started a Bittersweet account on Twitter. He will be updating it and keeping you informed on his chocolate making and how that is going. I have added it to out blog page, but if you subscribe to twitter you can find it at twitter.com/bittersweetcafe, and add it to your list.

Check it out and see how he progresses on new formulations and if the weather is affecting his work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I would like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our Bittersweet Family and everyone who supports us. I am sad to say that the store will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday, so that our family can be with their families, but we will be open on Friday at our regular store hours.

Have a great Holiday and please stay safe.

Can I Have A Vanilla Latte?

The answer to that oft asked question is "I am sorry, but we don't have any syrups." We hear that question a lot here at the Danville location and there is a very good reason for the answer.

You see, we here at Bittersweet are into organic and local. We make our own mix bases in the store and our own simple syrup (or liquid sugar) to make sure that what goes into what we make is natural. We don't like to serve syrups that may contain chemical additives and flavorings to our customers. We don't believe in it. Also, we strive to be a classic cafe. All of our drinks are one size and traditionally made by hand.

I feel that since our coffee is organic and local and oh, so good, that it doesn't need the syrups and flavorings. It really is great on its own.

Last Happy Hour Monday!

Don't forget that our last Happy Hour Monday is tomorrow from 2-4 PM. If you buy one Cranberry Cider you will receive the second free. Definitely not to miss!

We have a new product in, County Fair Peanuts. These are addictive little bites consisting of roasted peanuts covered in chocolate. They are so yummy, come and try a bag.

I hope you all are having a great weekend and are looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving.


Today's soup is Portabello Mushroom and Roasted Tomato Bisque.

Holiday Treats Are Here!

We have started to receive our holiday items.

For Thanksgiving we have some very cute chocolate Turkey Placesettings for each of your guests, seasonal chocolate Cookie Cutters, and turkey decorated Krispy Pops covered in chocolate for the kids.

The Christmas items have started to arrive. Not only do we have chocolate pengiuns, reindeer, and snowmen, but we have after dinner mints and a wintermint coin box. Coming soon - Peppermint Bark, a favorite, and chocolate ornaments for your tree!

There is something for all the nice people on your list, we also are carrying a delightful chocolate menorah and gelt.

Please stop in a see what's new. From stocking stuffers to party gifts, you'll find something for just about everyone.

Last Night Went Beautifully!

I am sorry that I missed last nights event with Marketing Manager David Salowich, but I have heard such great things about it. Thank you to all who signed up and attended the event.

We still have openings for the event with Seneca Klassen next month, Chocolate Tasting 101. Please call or come into the store to sign up. You can find out more information about the event by clicking the link on the left side of the page.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!


Today soup is Hearty Beef and Vegetable. mmmmmmm.....

Jefferson Street Tonight!

One night only, the band Jefferson Street performs their favorite hits acoustically. What a treat! I have been listening to them here on the iPod at work and they are really good. I am excited that they are performing here, tonight from 6-8 PM.

There will be a special of 10% off their favorite drink.

Come and enjoy the tunes and sip a nice warm drink. What a way to get the holiday season going. Be sure to bring your friends and family.

Tomorrow Night's Event is Closed.

Thank you for all who signed up and are interested. The Chocolate Trends event on Thursday night is full. It's going to be a lot of fun!

See you there!

Events This Week!

This is just a reminder that we have a couple of events this week.

Tomorrow night Jefferson Street is performing acoustically from 6-8 PM. I have been hearing their music on Jay's iPod here in the store and they are really good, it will be a fun evening. Also, there will be a 10% discount on their favorite drink.

Then on Thursday night from 7-8 PM we have our Merchandising Manager, David Salowich in to discuss trends in the current chocolate industry. The link to the event information is on the left side of this page. The last I heard there were two spots left, so hurry if you would like to attend.

And don't forget we have our Coloring Contest underway and our last Happy Hour Monday is coming up next week, so don't miss out on the fun.

Have a great week!


Today's soup is Artichoke and Chicken Florentine.

Thanksgiving Coloring Contest On Now!

I hope everyone's weekend is off to a good start.

We have just kicked off our First Annual Thanksgiving Coloring Contest. We have three pictures to choose from just ask one of your friendly Baristas for your choice. There are three competing age groups; under 5, 5-8, and 8-12. The winners will receive a $10 Gift Certificate to use at their leisure. The contest ends November 26th, and the winners will be announced November 28th, 2008 and will be posted on this site.

Bring in the kids and have a good time. We can't wait to see the pictures in color.


The soup today is Split Pea with Ham.

There's still some time left!

Howdy folks!

I just wanted to remind you all that there are still some seats available for our upcoming workshop and tasting on November 20th with Bittersweet's own Chocolate Buyer and Merchandise Manager, David Salowich. Don't miss this chance to gain some knowledge about current and future trends in the chocolate industry!

More information about this event here.

Chocolate Tasting 101 with Seneca Klassen

This just in! An event you won't want to miss, Chocolate Tasting 101 on Thursday, December 11, from 7:00-9:00 PM.

All you've ever wanted to know to know about chocolate and more. Seneca Klassen, world renown for his knowledge of chocolate and chocolate making skills, will lead a tasting on the introduction of chocolate and all of it's properties.

It is a great opportunity to learn and experience chocolate.

The class is $5.00 and is limited to 20 people. You will receive a 15% off coupon when you arrive that night for use at your leisure. Please stop by the store or call to sign up.

Chocolate Bar Pick of the Month

This month I am going to go with one of my middle of the road favorites. When desiring a classic chocolate bar I prefer to pick up the Grenada 70% Dark Chocolate Bar. It is smooth and creamy, with touches of mango and cedar and is so enjoyable. It is a bar that most people have on their favorites list.

Some more reasons to back this bar are the good things they are doing for the environment. Not only are they a free trade and organic co-operative, their company is solar powered! You can't beat that. It proves that you don't have to skimp on quality to do right by mother nature.

Come in for a taste and see if you agree that the Grenada 70% is a nice comfy cozy chocolate to enjoy any day of the week.


Today's soup is Chicken Coconut Curry, mmmmmm.

Tonight! Josh Barron!

Tonight is the night!

The one and only Josh Barron is performing his favorites and will be joined by a special guest. His dulcet tones will fill the cafe for your enjoyment. You've enjoyed his work as a barista, now experience his other talents.

Come tonight between 6:00-8:00 PM and join the fun.

We will have 10% off his favorite drink, Latte's!

Today's soup is Chicken Coconut Curry, one of my favorites. Yummy!

We are now on Facebook!

In our ever constantly changing and evolving society, we are trying to reach out to everyone to let them know we are here, who we are, and what we are doing. In this effort I have begun a Facebook Group.

Now, this is a new endeavor, as I have never had such a page before, so please bear with me as I get up to speed. It will carry most of the same information as we have on this blog, but maybe a little easier to find in the universe.

If you have any suggestions, please let me know, and I guess MySpace is next?

Soup today is Santa Fe Tortilla.

Just a reminder...

... that our very own Joshua Barron will be performing his smooth stylings for all of you this coming Wednesday night, and that we will be giving 10% off his favorite drink!

Also don't forget next Wednesday, November 19, my personal friend Josh Pinkston and Jefferson Street will grace us with an acoustical set. This talented performer will have copies of his CD available and we will also be giving everyone 10% off Josh's favorite drink!

Thanks to all of you that helped kick off our "Mid-Week Mayhem" Wednesday night activities last week! It was fun meeting all of you!

Our Next Big Event, Chocolate Trends!

Please join us at Bittersweet Café for our latest workshop and tasting:

Current trends in the chocolate industry and how to navigate your way through the ever-expanding chocolate marketplace.

While most industries are experiencing slow growth, the chocolate industry is booming! Every day, new and interesting chocolates are appearing on the shelves, making the task of choosing a chocolate more and more complex. Join Bittersweet Buyer and Merchandise Manager, David Salowich for an exploration of this exciting moment in chocolate’s long history. Together, we will explore several factors fueling this boom and look at their underlying issues.

Dark Chocolate: How dark chocolate can be part of a nutritious diet - really! Plus, the secret truth behind cacao percentage and the difference between single bean origin and blended chocolates.

Milk Chocolate: It’s a new day for milk chocolate! Chocolatiers are making milk chocolates which rival the best of the darks. Put your preconceived notions aside and become reacquainted with an old friend.

Fair Trade and Organic Certification: While certification can be a valuable tool, learn about non-certified chocolates which are de-facto organic and fairer than Fair Trade.

American Chocolate Makers: We could go on and on about the stunning chocolates of Utah and Missouri, which rival the best chocolate houses of Belgium and France. And we’re not joking.

Chocolate and friends: One of the keys to chocolate’s continued popularity is the ingenuity of chocolate makers, who craft incredible chocolates with interesting flavor combinations. Goats milk, sea salt, bread, and even bacon, take chocolate to a whole new level.

Bittersweet San Francisco: Tuesday, 11/18/08, 7:00
Bittersweet Danville: Thursday, 11/20/08, 7:00

This event is about an hour long and free, but due to high-demand for our chocolate events, reservations are required. Please contact David Salowich directly to reserve your place at david@bittersweetcafe.com or call the Danville store at 925-837-9900

We look forward to seeing you there!

Fall Menu Item

We have our Fall Special Menu Item in the store and ready to go. This year we have brought out our Cranberry Cider again. For those who have not tried it, you'll find it is a delightful mix of cranberry juice, organic apple cider, and spices, all mulled together for a warm and wonderful drink that is surprisingly refreshing. It is a nice change from the usual or if you feel like you would like something other than our fabulous chocolate or coffee drinks. Come by and cozy up with a Cranberry Cider tonight.

And the Winner Is......

Thank you to all those who attended our Customer Appreciation Night last night. It was quite a success and it was wonderful to get a chance to meet some new people. We had food and chocolate and specials, but now lets get down to business.

The winners of last night's raffle are as follows:
Free Brownie Bite
Marsha Beeler
Patty Walker
Angie Verzosa
Kendall
Free Drink
Claude Trusty
Sue Riegel
Marcia Miller
Lauren Johnson
Vicki Jasinski
$5 Gift Certificate - Edna Trusty
$10 Gift Certificate - Tina Stewart
Bittersweet T-Shirt - Kathy Mima
Chocolate Smarts Game - Chris Leimpeter
$15 Gift Certificate - Mollie Byrd
Coffee Smarts Game - Jim Bala
Stella Luna Gift Certificate - Shawna Pinkston
KRV Package - Bob Riegel
Baby & Kids Gift Certificate - Victoria Chiang
Chocolate Tasting for 4 - Ann Conley
Pure Relaxation Massage from Burke Williams - Crystal Kirby

Enjoy! Just come by the store to claim your prize.

Thank you again for all who came. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to the next one.

Just a reminder that this Monday from 2-4 PM we have Happy Hour and next Wednesday we have our own Josh Barron performing from 6-8 PM. Links to more information on both of these events is on the left side of this page.

See ya then.

Tonight is the Night!

Congratulations to all of you who voted!

Now is the time to celebrate and what better way than to come to Bittersweet Cafe tonight for Customer Appreciation Night from 6:00-9:00 PM. This is the first night in a series of Wednesday night, "Mid-Week Mayhem" events. Tonight we will be having a raffle for some great prizes, including a Pure Relaxation Massage from Burke Williams and a Chocolate Tasting for Four with Seneca Klassen. Also, we will be having samples of some of our treats and some chocolates to taste.

This will also be a chance for you to meet with the owners and let them know what you think.

Please stop by tonight, introduce yourself and say "Hello". We would love the chance to get to know you better and have the opportunity to say "Thank You" for making our first 3 months in Danville thoroughly enjoyable.

Vote And Change The World!

Please take time out of your day today and Vote! No matter your choice, it is important to let it be known.

After you vote stop by and try our special treats today and pick-up a 10% off coupon to use on your next visit.

But, whatever you decide to do today, go Vote! Please exercise your rights.

Soup is Back!

After a too long absence, Soup has now made a reappearance at the Cafe.

We strive to have a different and delicious flavor each day. Today's choice is Asparagus, mmmmmm......

Please stop on by for a steaming bowl on these cool fall days. At $3.25 a pop it is the best deal in the area.

Got Milk (Chocolate)?

Have you ever had a day when you didn't feel like breaking off a piece of your favorite dark chocolate bar???

Me neither.

Although I must say that in the few instances when I crave something a little sweeter and creamier, I head towards our milk chocolate bars; and if there's one bar I always come back to, it's the Amedei La Tavoletta Lait. Elegantly rich, silky smooth, and pleasantly sweet (but not *too* sweet) with an excellent mouth feel, I say it is the milk chocolate bar that all other milk chocolate bars strive to be.

It is most definitely NOT your run-of-the-mill grocery store chocolate bar, and it gives new meaning to the words, "You get what you pay for."

Stop by the cafe sometime and let me introduce you to what I think is one of the best milk chocolate bars I've ever tasted.

Grand Prize for Raffle Nov. 5th

I am excited to announce that the Grand Prize for the raffle we are having during the November 5th, Customer Appreciation Night has been acquired.

Not only will you be able to win free drinks, merchandise and a Chocolate Tasting for Four from Chocolatier Seneca Klaussen, you have the chance to win a Pure Relaxation Massage from Burke Williams Spa. I wish I could enter to win.

If you have not had the opportunity to visit Burke Williams Spa, which resides about our humble store, I highly recommend that you do. It is an absolutely beautiful facility with a very friendly and helpful staff. You can stop by and take a tour. The Quiet Room is amazing. It has a fireplace and chairs with their own individual lights if you would like to read or you can sit in comfort and warmth surrounded in serenity.

All raffle winners will be posted on this site and notified by phone or email, so keep watching for more updates.

Show Us You Voted!

Bittersweet wants you to go out and Vote!

If you come in on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4th and bring proof that you voted you will receive a 10% OFF coupon to use at a later date. Also, we will have samples, great drinks, pastries and more. We will also, have election night updates, for those who want to stay on top of it.

Go Vote, then swing by Bittersweet Cafe to reward yourself.

Happy Hour Mondays in November

Well, we have a lot of events coming up and this is an addition to that wonderful growing list. It is Happy Hour on Monday's in November from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Each Monday we will have a new special for you to enjoy. You can check out the link to the document with a list of the specials and events on the left hand side of this page.

Come try something new on Mondays in November!

Changing Our Hours?

Well, we have been having a slow start in the mornings during the week.

We open at 7:00 AM Monday-Friday and are considering opening at 8:00 AM, due to lack of traffic. Please tell your friends to stop on by if you'd like us to continue opening at 7:00 AM or let us know your thoughts.

Thank you,

Marienne

My Choice for A Great Bar This Month

People are always coming in and asking, "What is your favorite Bar?" That, for me is a really hard question. I have a few that are my favorites and it depends on my mood as to which one I would like to have at any given moment.

My choice this month is the Theo 84% Ghana Dark Bar. It is really about the darkest of the bars that I enjoy the most. I find this bar to be creamy and bold, without being bitter. The Theo Ghana Bar does take a little longer to melt on the tongue, but it has some nice floral notes that round out the complexity of flavors, with a hint of sweetness. It isn't astringent or too dry, just classic in it's flavors.

If you are not timid about going to dark, but want to try something new, I suggest the Theo Ghana 84% Dark Bar. I think it is a high percentage dark bar that is approachable and enjoyable.

Closing Early on Halloween

Halloween is coming up this Friday, October 31st. We will be closing a couple of hours early that night. Our hours will be 7:00AM-8:00PM. Thank you for your understanding. I hope your holiday is thrilling.

Boo!

Do The Aztec Shake!

(unfortunately no, it's not a new dance that's sweeping the nation...)

One of the frequent questions we get at the shop is, "What is the Aztec shake?"

The Aztec milkshake is another Bittersweet original-- similar to our Spicy hot chocolate drink in that it uses the same chocolate ganache but is blended with Loard's vanilla ice cream to a rich, thick concoction that tingles your throat with a slight warming effect on its way down.

A throat-tingling milkshake? With a slight warming effect?
What a concept!

But of course, words can only do so much to describe this drink, so come on by and let us make one for you! And don't forget to let me know what you think!

Award Winning Fudgy Brownie

Some of you have wondered, "Why is is called an Award Winning Fudgy Brownie?". Well, because we have actually won an award.

Last year we were chosen to compete in the Bliss Spa, You Be the Fudge, Battle of the Bay Brownie Contest. (Wow, what a long title.) After many people voted online and at various tasting places, we were chosen as the winner. This title has given us the opportunity to supply Bliss Spa, in the W Hotel in San Francisco, with our brownies for the last year.

Bittersweet's Fudgy Brownie even got a spot on View from the Bay and a nice write-up in the Chronicle.

So, now that you know come in and judge it for yourself.

The Final Wednesday Night Event of the Year!

Don't miss the final Wednesday Night Event of the year! It is our annual Holiday Shopping Night. We are open a little later Wednesday December 17th, holding the event from 6-9 PM.

This is an opportunity to shop leisurely and enjoy a few of our sweet treats and more. There will also be an extra 10% OFF everything in the store. In this economy every little bit counts and we would like to make the experience enjoyable and who doesn't like a little chocolate in their stocking or at Satyr.

We will be stocking gelt (chocolate coins) and beautiful chocolate ornaments among other items, so please stop by and pick out a delicious treat for your friends and family. This is the perfect way to do it and indulge yourself at the same time.

December 10th - Date Night at Bittersweet

Having trouble figuring out where to take that special someone? Want to make the first move, but don't know what to do or where to go? We have the perfect opportunity to make things happen in your love life, Date Night at Bittersweet Cafe December 10th from 6-8 PM. Come in from the cold and share a sweet treat.

Our special this evening will be:

Your choice of 2 drinks: The Classic, Mocha, or Chocolate Chai
and
Your choice of 1 dessert to share: The Chocolate Terrine or Boston Cream Pie

All of this with fancy porcelain cups and plate, and silver toned placesettings. You get all of this for $12.99. What a deal. And you will have a life changing evening and impress your friends.

Date Night at Bittersweet Cafe, a treat for all.

Game Night December 3rd

Where has the year gone? We are already into December. This Wednesday, December 3rd, from 6-8 PM will be Game Night at Bittersweet Cafe. Be sure to mark your calendars and bring the whole family!

We will have games like Life, Clue, UNO, and many more. This is a great way to meet new people and try new things on a cold winter's night.

Warm up with 10% OFF our Classic hot chocolate.

November 19th brings Jefferson Street

The fabulous band Jefferson Street will be joining us at Bittersweet to perform their acoustic stylings the evening of November 19th, from 6-8 PM.

This evening we will have 10% OFF their favorite drink.

Check out their music at www.myspace.com/jeffersonstreet !

Josh Barron to Perform November 12th

Our very own Josh Barron will be performing on November 12th from 6-8 PM. It is a great opportunity to see him in action. He will be strumming the guitar and singing some of his favorite tunes. Many of you may remember seeing him earlier this year doing a brief one hour engagement here at Bittersweet. His dulcet tones still linger.

We are very excited and eager to have him performing here again.

The special this evening will be 10% OFF his favorite drink. TBD

Please stop by and enjoy the entertainment.

Customer Appreciation Night Nov. 5th

Well, as promised I have more information. We will be having our Customer Appreciation Night November 5th, from 6-9 PM.

There will be 10% OFF all drinks and merchandise, sweet treats, and an informal chocolate tasting. And maybe the most important thing of all, a raffle for some great prizes.

It will be food, fun, and amazing chocolate. Come by and introduce yourself, we would love to meet you and get to know the community on more of a first name basis. The owners will be here to answer questions as well.

Mark your calendars, Wednesday nights in November and December at Bittersweet Cafe.

What is a Bicerin?

No matter how you say it a Bicerin (beach-er-een) is yummy! This Italian style chocolate and coffee drink is rich and heavenly.

We use a scoop of our each of own blends of Mocha mix and Bittersweet mix and melt them in hot water, as the European style. Pour over a shot of Espresso and top with our housemade whipped cream and it is nothing but goodness. Similar to a mocha, it is darker and richer. I prefer it.

Come by and choose your favorite drink today.

Vote, Vote, Vote!

Election Day is coming soon! Tuesday, November 4th is ballot day. So, not only are we highly encouraging you to exercise your right and privilege as an American Citizen to get out there and vote, but we are also encouraging you to stick it to the man!

No really, what could be better than to really eat up your opponent. We are currently stocking chocolate election buttons in each of your favorite political parties. There are the GOP buttons with the wise elephant on front and then the Democrat button with the fun loving donkey.

If you are engrossed in the election process then maybe a party box is for you. We have two boxes, one for each party, that reflect the campaign in chocolate. Three bars in each box show the candidates in their best light. Come in and make your choice.

They are great as gifts, whether novelty or in support of your choice, what better way to show your preference than in chocolate.

Marienne

Halloween is Coming Fast!

Many of you know that the Livery is having their annual Pumpkin Jubliee this Saturday and Halloween Party on Friday October 31st. Well, Halloween is coming quickly and if you would like a special treat for your little Trick-or-Treater or are having a special Halloween get together, we have the treats for you. Cute little items that you won't find anywhere else.

If you like the very delectable Vosges Barcelona or Red Fire Bar, you can now get them in a great skull shape for your little demon. Or for those with more of a sweet tooth, we have a rice crispy treat dipped in chocolate and decorated for the holiday. These are just a couple of our adorable, yet frightening, Halloween goodies. My favorite being the Chocolate Peanut Butter Leaves. I just can't resist a chocolate peanut butter treat, especially this one.

Stop by for a peek-a-boo to check them out.

Marienne

Customer Appreciation Night Nov. 5th

We have our first Wednesday night event coming up and I am proud to announce our first Customer Appreciation Night on Wednesday November 5th. We will have a few activities including a raffle and chocolate tasting corner. I will have more details to come, but please mark your calendars now. Each and every Wednesday night following this event will be filled with music, games, or specials. Watch for the calendar.

Also, I would like to send out a reminder that we open at 7:00 AM during the week and you will find not only great coffee, but much shorter lines than those at our competitors. What a great way to start the day, with amazing coffee and chocolate. Not to mention the pastries, which are delivered fresh daily. Another great start is our Steel Cut Oatmeal. This is slow-cooked fresh every morning, the right way, and served with four great toppings. It will last you until lunch.

Have a great week,

Marienne

To Bittersweet or to Classic?

One of the most often questions that we get here at Bittersweet is "What is the difference between a Bittersweet and a Classic?" Well, let me see if I can put the question to rest. These are two of our most popular hot chocolates and there is a big difference between the two.

The Classic is our typical American style hot chocolate. It is our own unique mix of milk and dark chocolate blended into your choice of dairy (whole milk, 2%, nonfat, or soy) and is served in a 12 oz. cup.

The Bittersweet is our European style hot chocolate. This is our unique mix of four dark chocolates melted into hot water and is served in an 8 oz. cup. This is a darker and richer chocolate experience than the Classic and more like a classic drinking chocolate.

Both of these options are equally yummy and delicious and it usually comes to personal chocolate preference or mood as to which one to choose. They both can take you to that wonderful chocolate heaven that most chocoholics know.

Marienne

Bacon & Chocolate?

I think one of the most often asked questions these days when people come in to look at our chocolate bars is "So what about this Bacon Bar we've heard so much about?". Yes, we have one it is called Mo's Bacon Bar by Vosges and many of you have been in to try it. I think it is one of those either you love it or hate it items. I personally love it! It is almost like a comfort food and let's face it, bacon should have its own food group.

For those of you not familiar with the bar, it literally has an applewood smoked bacon in a dark 41% milk chocolate with an alderwood smoked salt. The bacon has a caramelized sweetness to it and the salt really boosts the flavor of both the chocolate and the bacon. You can liken it to a sweet yet salty snack food, like chocolate covered pretzels, but ohhhh so much better.

Come on in and try Mo's Bacon Bar. It can be found in our Speciaties section of Chocolate Bars. If that is not your thing remember that we have over 100 artisan chocolate bars in our store (over half of them are dark chocolate) and we can be sure to find one that is to your liking.

See you in Bittersweet,

Marienne

Notes from the Manager

Well, as we come online and the store is up and running ( we have been open for two months now ), I am excited to say that we are already planning to have events on Wednesday nights. Bittersweet Danville will kick-off the excitement with a Customer Appreciation Night the beginning of November. More to come on that later.

I am happy to become a part of the Danville community and place for people to go to have a great cup of coffee, awesome chocolate and pastries, and relax. We have free wi-fi, friendly people and are open until 10:00 PM Thursday though Saturday.

This forum will be a way for you to learn about Bittersweet, the people who make up the Bittersweet Team and what is going on in our store and community. We will have postings about specials, bars, recipes, and events.

Please check back often for updates and I look forward to a long and prosperous realtionship.

Thank you for welcoming us Danville,

Marienne