Finding Santa Barbara Chocolate

My 2-weeks in Santa Barbara were wonderful.  And the coursework wasn't too bad either!  With class sessions in the morning, we were given much free time, and I used some of my time to search for some Santa Barbara chocolate treasures.

One of my greatest finds was Our Daily Bread Bakery and Cafe.  Though tucked away off the main drag of State Street, this spacious, quiet little cafe is just down the street from the historic Presido and is worth the detour.  It features a nice selection of vegan (and gluten-free) bakery items, but most important, they serve a beautiful vegan chocolate muffin.

One reviewer who is not even vegan, called their vegan chocolate muffin "amazing", and "one of the best muffins in the world."  And vegan-me would have to agree with the sentiment.  It was fantastic.

It was light and airy, with a fluffy cake-like texture and rich balance of chocolate that was not overly sweet.  Though it did not have that muffin-dense consistency, it had a nice crisp top which oozed over the top and distinguished it from a "cupcake".  It was also huge, and I devoured it, but for $2.85, it was a wonderful bargain. 

Overhearing the conversation the servers had with their customers, you could tell this was an establishment for locals being off the main road.  And if I were in the area, I know I would definitely become a regular and enjoy many of their other vegan offerings.

Another chocolate find near downtown Santa Barbara, in the heart of the tourist traffic, was at The French Press.  I happened on this place as I was looking for a local coffee house to plant myself for some time of journaling and reflection.  (No Starbucks or Peets for me if I can help it.)  I loved the ambiance and drinks of The French Press (FP) so much that I ended up going there three times during my stay. 

On my first trip I tried their mocha and chocolate croissant, which is one of my latest non-vegan chocolate indulgences.  To be honest, both were okay.  Though served up beautifully, the mocha could have used a bit more kick, and while the croissant was flakey with a good dark chocolate flavor (when you found it), it didn't have enough chocolate for my liking with a small strip down the middle. 

What called me to return to FP was an item on the menu which I saw after I ordered my "usual".  That was their chocolate chai.  Specializing in fine tea as well as coffee, I figured that their chai was something worth sampling.  Thus, I returned a few days later to give it a try.  I loved it, and needed to return for another fix before heading home.  Though the weather was HOT, it was definitely worth the 1.5 mile trek down the hill to FP from the Old Mission where we were staying.

With a beautiful design from the soy milk froth, the chocolate chai at The French Press was beautiful to behold.  With a spicy-sweet chocolate aroma, it smelled inviting.  And when sampled, it brought joy to the pallet and warmed my soul with utter delight.  There was a nice strong kick of chai which created the spice buzz on the back of my throat which for me is a sign of good chai.  But there were also clear undertones of bittersweet chocolate which were drawn out by the balance of spices.

I'm discovering that chocolate chai is a wonderful alternative to a plain hot cocoa, or a mocha when you're not wanting the caffeine.  It satisfies those afternoon cravings but is not too sweet, and with the spice kick, it provides that "pick me up" when the day drags. 

To make their chocolate chai, the French Press combines their brewed chai tea to chocolate sauce.  They then add steamed milk (in this case soy), and top with froth.  Simple, but seductive; something I could try at home, but something I definitely need to find back home in the San Francisco Bay Area.  But until I do, I found a chai cocoa mix on my trip home from Santa Barbara which will have to satisfy my emerging chocolate chai cravings. 

My experience at and purchases from Sweet Earth Chocolates in San Luis Obispo will have to wait for another post.  But with local, organic, and Fair Trade products, and numerous vegan options, it is definitely a small business that gets two thumbs up from me!  More in an upcoming post.