Los Angeles - October 11, 2006

Choc It Up

Chocolatebox Cafe

You’ve wrestled with small children over a bowl of freebies (that Hershey’s Kiss was mine!), lied to the front desk about your pillow being ignored at turndown (no Godiva? Gracious!), and even attempted to trick-or-treat in July (twenty more days — you can make it).

It’s no secret: Choco makes you loco.

And though some may say you’re crazy to drive to La Canada, trust us, the new Chocolatebox Cafe is worth the trip.

Because within the shop’s brown and lavender walls you’ll find an impressive collection of handmade chocolates imported in small batches from Belgium; traditional milk hazelnut and dark champagne truffles, artist-designed ganaches in flavors like rose, mint, and bergamot; and a rich buttermilk collection filling the zebrawood-accented case.

It’s nearly impossible not to fall deeply in love with these sweets. At which point you may find yourself hopping over the counter to get more intimate with the little bits of heaven.

Just blame it on the dopamine.

Chocolatebox Cafe, 714 Foothill Boulevard, La Canada (818-790-7918 or chocolateboxcafe.com).