What is your favorite drink?

I get asked that question frequently and my answer is similar to the question about my favorite bar. It really depends on my mood that day.

I admit that I have a latte almost every morning, but for those times I want to have that fabulous chocolate drink (usually in the afternoon) I really like to have the Spicy with a shot of espresso or a Bicerin. These drinks really make me happy. On a hot day I prefer to have an Iced Mocha. I tend to not like things that are too sweet (as I get older I notice my tastes changing) and these drinks are just the perfect amount of sweetness for me.

What a way to keep my day going until work is done. These are just my preferences, but why not come in and find out what drinks work for you?

Just a reminder...

... that we changed our hours!

For those of you who haven't stopped by in a while, our hours of operation are:

Sunday - Wednesday: 9am - 7pm
Thursday - Saturday: 9am - 9pm

Thanks for your continued support!

Hail to the Chief

Although the inauguration of our 44th President has come and gone, we here at Bittersweet Danville are still celebrating this momentous and truly historic occasion.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you-- the 44th President of the United States...
... in chocolate form.

Seriously though, this bust of President Obama is made of high quality chocolate and is extremely detailed in its portrayal. Not to mention it tastes pretty good.

Make sure to pick one up on your next visit!

Where is that Manager Lady?

For all of you who may know me, you may have wondered where I have been lately. I have been spending some time at my old haunt over in Rockridge. As of last Monday, I have been splitting my time between the two stores, Danville and Rockridge, as I have been brought back to manage both stores.

I am still around, but have been spending some time getting Rockridge in shape. I have no doubt that the team there in Danville has been doing a wonderful job and giving great customer service in my absence. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns and questions and I will be in the Danville store tomorrow to see all your smiling faces again.

The times, they are a-changin'...

Hello everyone,

I need to let you all know that starting Monday, January 19th, we will have new store hours.

We will be open:
9am-7pm on Sundays - Wednesdays
9am-9pm on Thursdays - Saturdays

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we thank you for your continued support!

Cheese. yummmmmmm...

For those of you out there who crave a little something savory to snack on, we have ham & cheese croissants for you! Our bakers fill croissant dough with lean ham and swiss cheese, top it with MORE cheese, and bake it to gooey, flaky, cheesy, buttery perfection.

When combined with our soup of the day and a Dry Soda, our ham & cheese croissants are more than enough for a quick, low-cost lunchtime meal that rivals the expensive restaurants...

... and don't forget to get a Chocolate Caramel cookie with Fleur de Sel for dessert!

Oh, by the way, today our soup is Broccoli Cheddar! YUM!

Looking for a Full-Time Barista

Good Morning fellow Bittersweet lovers.

We are currently looking for a Full-Time Barista in our Danville location. If you are interested please email your resume and cover letter to marienne@bittersweetcafe.com. The position starts at $9.00/hr and training would begin immediately.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Dark Chocolate More Satisfying?

Yet another reason to eat dark chocolate, as if we needed one.

The Science Daily has issued an article informing us that dark chocolate is more satisfying than milk chocolate and not only that, may curb cravings for sweet and salty foods with less intake. They even tout that it may be a good way to keep the weight off. Works for me.

"We have known for a long time that it is healthier to eat dark chocolate, but now scientists at the Department of Human Nutrition at LIFE, University of Copenhagen, have found that dark chocolate also gives more of a feeling of satiety than milk chocolate."

Here is the article....



Today's Soup is Portabello Mushroom and Tomato Bisque

Bake Something New

Not only do we have baking chocolate/buttons at a very good price for very good chocolate, (what Pastry Chef's use, I should know) but you can pick up a recipe to try something new. When you come into Bittersweet Cafe to pick up baking chocolate, there is a small box sitting nearby that contains some really good recipes and we are adding more all the time.

These are recipes I have used in my professional life as a Pastry Chef and are easy and quite good. We have Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Mascarpone Mousse, Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars, Chocolate Pots de Creme, and really good Vegan Chocolate Cake that is so moist and yummy. These are just a few of the recipes we have on hand. And I don't want to forget the Mounds Bar, which makes a Mounds Bar, exactly like the ones you buy in the store, only the chocolate is better.

So, when you are ready to try something new or just don't know what to make, come check out our recipes and baking chocolate. You won't be disappointed.

(P.S. I put in my Mom's Brownie Sheetcake that is remarkably similar to our own Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Cake. A blast from the past.)

My Chocolate Bar Pick of the Month!

Happy New Year! May your year be healthy, joyous, and prosperous.

I have been recommending dark bars each month, until now. This month I am choosing the Askinosie White Chocolate Nibble Bar.

Normally I am not a white chocolate eater. For me it tends to be too sweet, but this bar is a whole different animal. First, Askinosie is the first small-batch chocolate maker in the U.S. to make white chocolate from the bean and not only that it is the only single origin 34% white chocolate that I know of. It is made from the Soconusco Bean, which they also make a 75% dark bar from that we carry (I highly recommend this bar as well).

Among some of the other interesting facts are the dairy used is from goats milk, instead of the usual cow's milk and it has the cacao nib in the bar for a nice crunch. The goats milk adds a totally different and complex flavor and the cacoa nib also helps to cut some of the sweetness of the white chocolate and adds more complexity.

I tried a tasting of the Askinosie Soconusco White Chocolate Nibby Bar and the Askinosie Soconusco 75% Dark Bar, just to see and compare. You can definitely tell that they come from the same bean, but that is about all that compares. They really are different. The white chocolate is nice and creamy and the dark is one of my favorites, but they really can't be compared.

This bar, like all of the other Askinosie Bars, is free-trade and organic.

Try something new. The Askinosie White Chocolate Nibby Bar is a lot of fun and enjoyable, not as sweet as a regular white chocolate bar and has a nice crunch.