I am a confessed choco-holic - always have and always will be. For this reason, I was instantly intrigued by Chocolatea, an eclectic café that calls itself "a world out of this world." What's truly unique about Chocolatea is how it takes two unlikely flavors, chocolate and tea, and makes them taste so effortlessly good together. This seemingly traditional café with an unexpected Asian flair is tucked away in the back of the Ambassador apartment building near the better-known One World Café.
Don't underestimate the café's understated appearance - as soon as you enter, Chocolatea has the feel of a sophisticated café with lots to offer. The tasteful furnishings include numerous comfy couches that just command you to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea. The walls are painted light blue and are loaded with bright, colorful paintings. The atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed, the lighting is not overly intense nor is the background music too loud, making it quiet enough to study. The clientele consists of mostly locals and college students, and attracts friends or anyone looking for a comfortable place to read or study.
The café has an excellent selection of beverages, hot and cold, ranging from teas to coffee and coffee-inspired drinks. All teas are brewed with loose tea leaves, ensuring freshness. The tea menu is extensive, including flavors from orange to green teas. My favorite is the dragon well green tea, though it is somewhat pricey at nearly $5 for a small cup. The coco-latte, what the café calls "the perfect cup of hot chocolate," lives up to its name. I recommend the peppermint candy, a combination of dark chocolate and peppermint. Richer and more filling is the peanut butter cup, which I have never been able to finish without feeling sick to my stomach. Chocolatea, the café's signature drink, is similar to an iced mocha and a refreshing treat, though slightly overpriced at $4. And it comes served in a large glass mug with a straw, rather than a paper to-go cup.
The café also offers lunch every day, breakfast on the weekends and Asian tapas Thursday through Sunday. Lunch fare at Chocolatea consists of mostly gourmet sandwiches, wraps and paninis. Try the three-cheese panini, a twist on a traditional favorite, the grilled cheese. The flavorful basil, tomatoes and melted mozzarella are a winning combination that more than satisfies my taste buds. The salmon avocado wrap and the chicken curry wrap are also sure-fire bets. Breakfast items are straightforward but appetizing, ranging from waffles to omelets to French toast.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover an Asian tapas menu offering small portions of tako su (octopus) and lollipop lamb with rosemary and mint jelly. I also noticed that the café sells Asian food products such as Pocky Sticks, chocolate covered pretzels, and Ramune Japanese soda - all rare finds worth checking out. There is also an entire section of the café devoted to quality Swiss chocolate truffles - heaven!
Food and beverages at Chocolatea are not outrageously priced, but probably not ideal for the average college student's budget. Still, as long as you don't form a daily attachment to this place (it has been known to happen!), Chocolatea is well worth the occasional expense.
