The Bittersweet Challenge

By Candy Hisert

Bittersweet Chocolate Cafe is located on College Avenue in Oakland, CA, but finding it can be a challenge. Drive by in a car, and you’ll miss the little sign next to the window. Once inside, a visitor has a choice of four shabby tables and mismatched chairs. All very low key and cozy! In contrast, the chocolate concoctions are both rich and upscale. And the shelves are stocked with elegant chocolate bars and boxes.

Perhaps the biggest challenge facing customers is whether to get a cup of the excellent Bittersweet Original Label coffee with a chocolate pastry or to pair a chocolate beverage with dessert. On a warm day, a classic iced chocolate works perfectly with a piece of double chocolate short bread. Or for those wanting to add extra sensations, substitute a chocolate- caramel sandwich cookie: lush caramel filling and crunchy chocolate wafers.

When it’s cool and foggy, a favorite drink is Bittersweet Hot Chocolate, which purists claim goes better with the house cinnamon chocolate brownie. The brownie has a generous layer of dark chocolate frosting and can easily be shared by two. Bittersweet hot chocolate works as a palette cleanser.

Regulars bus their own dishes at Bittersweet and often critique what other diners are munching. After eying the assortment of goodies at my table, a rather hippie-looking couple decided to offer some advice. “You missed the best thing, the chocolate chai. We come in once a week for it.”

Chocolate chai? That would be a challenge for me, but I might be coaxed into trying it with another chocolate shortbread.

Visit www.bittersweetcafe.com

Candy Hisert is a chocolate addict from Berkeley, CA.

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