Christopher Elbow's Liquid Chocolate Experience

By Tamara Palmer

Earlier this year, Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates of Kansas City, MO opened its second boutique in San Francisco. Elbow's bonbons are among the most beautiful in the world, airbrushed and glittery, and his flavors continually push the envelope, from rosemary caramel to absinthe. Even the bars are a delight; over the past year, I've cultivated an enviable addiction to bar No. 6: Dark Rocks, a 61% cacao bar studded with exploding candy.

But a new personal highlight of dipping into the Elbow store is the Liquid Chocolate experience.

At $4.50, the Liquid Chocolate is at the higher priced end of the coffee drink world, but they're so rich and hearty that no other accompaniments are needed (though it would be criminal to not pick up a few truffles for later). 12 ounce tins are also available for $18 for drinking at home. I opted for the dark and spicy Venezuelan, and although I'd been to Elbow several times for chocolates, I was pleasantly surprised when I settled into the sipping lounge because I hadn't really noticed it before.

It's a neat and comfy perch on which to leisurely watch the world (or at least Gough Street) pass by, but be forewarned: This stuff will jack you up more than coffee if you drink it too fast. Christopher Elbow Artisanal Chocolates is located at 401 Hayes (at Gough).