
We Heart Chocolate
The sweet Valentine staple with year-round appeal comes in many shapes, styles and confections.
- CategoryEat & Drink
- Edited byDarren Elms
WINNER! Brownie
Mayers Bakery, Rolling Hills Estates
Why It’s Good
Bert: Buttery chocolate.
Trish: The hidden chocolate chips!
Room for Improvement?
Bert: Add a toasted nut to open up chocolate flavors.
Kate: A larger piece so I could have more.
Best Beverage Pairing
Kate: Milk.
Trish: Coffee with lots of cream.
Chocolaty Scale (10 highest): 9
Chocolate Chocolate Cupcake
Frosted Cupcakery, Hermosa Beach
Why It’s Good
Bert: Who doesn’t love a cupcake?
Kate: The frosting.
Room for Improvement?
Trish: Make cake a tad sweeter.
Bert: Add some citrus zest or juice to make more cutting-edge.
Best Beverage Pairing
Bert: Salted caramel Frappuccino with an extra shot of espresso.
Trish: Cold milk.
Chocolaty Scale (10 highest): 8
French Macaron
Yellow Vase, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes
Why It’s Good
Trish: The ganache filling and the cute, petite size.
Bert: Creative.
Room for Improvement?
Bert: More chocolate.
Kate: Nothing.
Best Beverage Pairing
Bert: Irish coffee.
Trish: A glass of Champagne.
Chocolaty Scale (10 highest): 6.7
Truffle
Elleni Couture & Chocolate, Manhattan Beach
Why It’s Good
Bert: Great look and fancy.
Trish: It’s like a piece of artwork!
Room for Improvement?
Kate: Too rich for me.
Bert: A design for both genders.
Best Beverage Pairing
Trish: Prosecco.
Bert: Godiva and vodka martini.
Chocolaty Scale (10 highest): 8.7
The Judges:
Kate Condren
Student
Hermosa Beach
Bert S. Agor
Chef at Kincaid’s Restaurant
Redondo Beach
Trish Procetto
Director of tours and research
Playa Del Rey