FRIDAY FIVE
Hot chocolate is a favorite holiday beverage—and, like with so many other things, San Francisco is known to kick it up a notch. Given the city’s iconic chocolate “scene,” many cafes and bakeries add their own spin on this winter drink to make it one of a kind.
Narrowing our options down to five was not an easy task, but we did our best for you. Hot-chocolate crawl, anyone?
1. Craftsman and Wolves
You can’t go wrong on the menu at this well-known bakery in the Mission. Everything we’ve had there has been good—no joke. So it should come as no surprise that its hot chocolate is stellar too. Billed as “sipping chocolate,” because it’s very thick and made from French Valrhona chocolate, this drink is served on a trendy wooden block and accompanied by a seasonal marshmallow that’s great for dunking. The whole thing is extremely intense (in a good way) and satisfying.
746 Valencia Street (Mission) | www.craftsman-wolves.com
2. Dandelion Chocolate
This beloved “bean-to-bar chocolate factory” in the Mission set a new standard for San Francisco chocolate when it entered the scene in 2010, and since then, it’s been taking all our money ever since. The company is known for crafting small batches made from high-quality beans. So it’s no surprise that Dandelion has figured out how to do chocolate right too. Its classic hot chocolate is creamy and the perfect amount of sweet, and comes with house-made marshmallows on the side.
740 Valencia Street (Mission) | www.dandelionchocolate.com
3. La Oaxaqueña
If you’re looking to add some holiday spice to your hot chocolate, this is the place at which to get it. The drink at La Oaxaqueñ is reportedly made from blocks of cacao that the owner brings back from Mexico, which are dissolved in steamed milk and then mixed with almonds and cinnamon. Feel free to add chili powder for an extra kick. The best part may be that this is served in a pitcher, making this drink a deal. It’s also an unlikely but dare-we-say perfect dessert after scarfing down a burrito.
2128 Mission Street (Mission) |www.oaxaquena.yolasite.com
4. Socola Chocolatier and Barista
Known for its artisanal chocolate truffles, Socola also knows how to whip up an amazing cuppa. Their beverage is made of 72 percent dark ganache and freshly steamed milk, and then it’s perfectly topped with a house-made chocolate marshmallow. In addition to sipping on this perfect libation, you have tons of Asian-inspired chocolates to choose from to take to go. Plus, the cafe is decorated with adorable stuffed llamas. So you can’t beat that.
535 Folsom Street (SOMA) |www.socolachocolates.com
5. XOX Truffles
If you’re looking for something to Instagram (no shame—well, only a little), this is your spot. What makes it so photogenic? The mound of pretty frothy topping. This cup of hot chocolate is all around smooth and creamy. Bonus: an order of it gets you a free delicious truffle on the side. If you’re lucky, the owner and main chef, Jean-Marc Gorce, will be there to make you feel at home too.
754 Columbus Avenue (North Beach) | www.xoxtruffles.com
Hey! The Bold Italic recently launched a podcast, This Is Your Life in Silicon Valley. Check out the full season or listen to the episode below featuring Aarti Shahani, technology reporter at NPR. More coming soon, so stay tuned!
