2008.08.28
On Chocolatepaper, Wasabi and free cookbooks.
It's here! It's here!
After lunch at Wasabi today (more on that later), we wandered down the street to see if Chocolatepaper's second location had indeed opened today, and lo and behold, it had! Now those of us who live across town from Southwest County or work downtown have easy access to one of the coolest shops in Roanoke.
As I have mentioned before, Chocolatepaper is owned by some of the same folks who own Mongrel, a fun, kitschy gift and card shop in Careytown in Richmond. The downtown Roanoke version features a wide range of cards and three display cases filled with beautiful chocolates, which range from 33 cents up to about $3 apiece.
They also have a lot of Roanoke and Virginia-centric gifts, like solid chocolate Mill Mountain stars and Virginia state-shaped cookie cutters. It would be a great place to make a basket for someone who is new to the 'noke.
Image source: Chocolatepaperroanoke.com
We wandered in with the intention of getting one chocolate to satisfy our post-lunch sweet tooth. I came out $26 later with three chocolates, two baby shower gifts and a cute poster for my friend's baby room. As we walked out the door, a group of ladies on the way back to their office stopped, saw the rug out front and the bags in our hands and looked tempted to squeal in delight.
In other news, we've been chatting about sushi joints this week and much has been said about the slow service at Wasabi. I wanted to check back in and let everyone know that we had lunch at Wasabi today and the service was excellent. I noticed that our waitress was one of the ladies who used to serve us at Sake House, which lends credence to one reader's comment that some of the Sake House staff has shifted to Wasabi.
Finally, I know some of you are anxiously awaiting news on the winner of the Cookbook Giveaway. I have almost come up with a decision on that, but I'm going to do just a little bit more hand-wringing. Check back later this afternoon.
oh great. chocolate, thats all i need!
and btw, it looks like Peters Creek Road has officially been Bojangled, per my last drive-by!
Comment by Scott — August 28, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
I just got back from Chocolatepaper and I am so glad they're here. They sell Mo's Bacon Bars by Vosges. I bought one at Fresh Market several months ago, just to see how it would taste. Who knew chocolate covered bacon would taste so good. Fresh Market only had the bars for a short while, i'm happy I've found a source.
Comment by Debbie — August 29, 2008 @ 12:07 pm
I also bought a Vosges candy bar that was not so good. d'Oliva Bar a white chocolate bar w/kalamata olives. I love each item separately, but together they are a bad mix!
I will be hitting that store whenever I need a greeting card, and at Christmas for stocking stuffers.
Comment by Debbie — August 29, 2008 @ 7:36 pm
Chocolate covered bacon? That sounds like the perfect dessert to finish off a Hardee's pork steak chicken roast beef Philly thick burger. Super sized of course!
Comment by Greg — August 29, 2008 @ 11:25 pm
Actually, I have to vouch for the chocolate bacon. Not sure I could eat a whole chocolate-covered slice of bacon, but I have tried bits of real bacon in a bar of chocolate. My friend received it as a gift and shared a square with me. It also had some sea salt in it, I believe. At any rate, the salty, smoky, sweet blend of all the flavors was surprisingly sensual and delicious.
Try it, readers, and see what you think.
Comment by Lindsey — August 30, 2008 @ 12:39 am
That's the way I eat it Lindsey. I break off a little square each day until it's gone. I don't think I could eat the whole bar at one time either.
Comment by Debbie — August 30, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
At Last!! I can indulge in my chocoholic fantasies at lunch and go get me some choc-o-lat without getting in my car!!!
Comment by Kathy — August 30, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Ooooh, a challenge I can get behind.
I wonder if Chocolate Paper will notice the large amounts of chocolate-covered bacon being sold over the next week. I wonder if they'll think that's weird.
Comment by Amy Hanek — August 31, 2008 @ 12:55 pm
Lindsey, Debbie let me try a little piece of the chocolate bacon; very strange indeed. I like the sweet, then salty, taste, but it's still strange, it will have to grow on me. I don't know if I would spend $8 for a bar. Debbie, maybe we can go in together next time and buy a bar! The chocolate/olive mix does not appeal to me, either.
Comment by Kathy — September 2, 2008 @ 8:18 am
Bacon and chocolate, olives and chocolate... I don't know folks. It looks like Willy Wonka has finally gone off the deep end. Cra-zy.
Comment by Amy Hanek — September 2, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Olives and chocolate sounds repulsive to me. Then again, bacon and chocolate didn't sound very good until I tried it. Then again, bacon rates higher on my personal tasty-o-meter than olives do. Hmmmmm.....
Comment by Lindsey — September 3, 2008 @ 10:05 am