How to Gorge Yourself on Chocolate for $3.33

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What do you get when you mix a perfectly sunny California day, one Moose, 30 tickets for chocolate samples and a monkey with a camera? Well, other than one wicked bellyache, you have the recipe for my Sunday afternoon.

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

I’m a huge fan of Groupon—enough so to put a free banner on the side of my blog right there—but are you also aware of its competitor services like Living Social and Townhog? My addiction to such collective-buying-power websites is not only at fault for draining my bank account, but also for the approximate 23,568 calories I consumed this past weekend. I’ve been wanting to go to the Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival since I moved out here nearly three ago—I mean, that’s just a given, right? I do pen a blog with “chocolate” in the title, after all—but when I saw one $20 ticket for 15 tastings on Living Social for a steal of $10, I scooped up that bad boy. Even better, once I clicked “order,” they sent me a second one FOR FREE for purchasing with my visa ATM card, so just like that I was in possession of 30 chocolate tastings for a mere $10.

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

Luckily, Moose is always a willing cohort, so she offered her chocolate-eating services and met us bright and early (being noon on the dot—hey, early for a Sunday!) at Ghirardelli Square. The funny thing is while you would not catch me sans costume in Fisherman’s Wharf, I’ve actually been to Ghirardelli Square a number of times in the past year, thanks to the addition of Crown & Crumpet, the most darling tea room ever to exist.

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

If you ask me, this sundae should be in a lot cheerier a mood!

When we first arrived, I think we were all a bit overwhelmed by the aroma of chocolate permeating the waterfront, as well as the number of vendors from which to choose. News flash: It’s not just Ghirardelli chocolate represented, but pretty much every gourmet chocolatier, not just in San Francisco but the whole world it seemed, had a booth. Where does one even start when given those sorts of opportunities? Well, once we saw Leonida’s chocolate martini booth, we knew the answer. Vodka at noon? Sign us up! After all, it was five o’clock somewhere (like Australia, for example).

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

Then, we moved on to chocolate marble cheesecake.

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

Followed by chocolate sundaes, chocolate milkshakes, chocolate mini-cupcakes and even chocolate creme brulee (or butterscotch for me, coffee for Moose)!

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

Even SVV, self-proclaimed non-lover of sweets (I know what you’re thinking: and I married this guy? luckily, he talks a big game and it ends there), indulged. He claims he was just trying to help us use up our 30 tickets more quickly. Uh-huh. Rrrrright. Such a team player, that one.

 ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

At the end of the day, though, we didn’t even manage to clean out both of our cards. I blame the fact that by 2pm, the lines were far too long. If they hadn’t of been, you can bet your life I wouldn’t have let those four final chocolate tastings go to waste. Oh well, there’s always next year. And yes, my calendar is already marked.

ghirardelli chocolate festival, ghirardelli square, chocolate, san francisco, california

*All photos by SVV. I was too busy doing the above to bother with such trivialities as picture-taking (for once)!

COMMENTS
  • September 16, 2010

    Oh I love Crown & Crumpet SO MUCH! I know I say that every time you mention it, but I really do. I would’ve been totally down for doing this with you.

  • September 16, 2010

    Okay, we’re signed up on Groupon and LivingSocial and DealPerk (for OC people) and all that, but we never get awesome deals for a chocolate festival. You SF people get all the good stuff. Even fog.

    What’s it like being in a chocolate coma? Do you see the world in a light brown haze? Do you feel creamy and smooth?

  • September 16, 2010

    Yum! I can’t think of anything more enjoyable. I’ll be there next year, for sure. It seems I’m ALWAYS away for this. Glad I got to live vicariously through you!

  • September 16, 2010

    I wish I lived in SF often, but never have I wished it more fervently than after reading this entry.

  • September 16, 2010

    Um, remember your friend Amy who lives close? SHE WANTS TO COME NEXT TIME. Jealous.

  • September 16, 2010

    Later that day, I went to Chile Pie with my mom – and got HERBAL TEA. A travesty that would shame me if it hadn’t been for all the chocolatey goodness we ate earlier. Good times, good times.

  • September 16, 2010

    I. Hate. You. So. Much.

    Also, I totally would have paid the guy in the sundae suit $5 to do a little dance. The world needs more dancing ice cream cones.

  • September 16, 2010

    Oh, how I would’ve jumped right on that bandwagon with you! I don’t understand those who don’t love chocolate and it shocks me every time I learn those people exist. I love chocolate so much Brando has even grown addicted to my Lindt chocolate bars.

  • September 16, 2010

    Wow, a chocolate festival?! Too bad I missed it! Perhaps next year…

  • September 16, 2010

    Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum! Worth every single calorie.

  • September 16, 2010

    Um, can I come next year? I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this chocolate festival.

    P.S. I don’t think I know the Kristin Bell movie you were talking about!

  • September 16, 2010

    Now that sounds like my kind of party! Yet I can’t believe you walked away with more possibilities.

  • September 17, 2010

    It’s almost 9 am in TN, I’m sitting at my desk and drooling over these sweets. Good thing I’m attending a wedding this weekend to get my fix. 🙂

  • September 17, 2010

    OK, that officially looks like ridiculous amounts of fun. As I’m sure anything with you and Amber in the same room is. Dear Portland, please move closer to San Francisco, thank you.

  • September 20, 2010

    Ok, this is why I’m an immature a-hole…

    My best friend Andrew, my “Moose” if you will, is one of the Dapper Dans at Disney World-the resident barbershop quarter. So I visit him regularly. Please don’t think I make him tag up the Ghiradelli in Downtown Disney for a free sample, or 15, every single time I’m there. What is wrong with me?!

    Although you, Moose, and I would have had fun together for the first hour or so. I’m pretty sure I would have been the buzzkill who goes into hypoglycemic shock. I can’t control myself!

  • September 21, 2010

    I love Groupon and Living Social! Also check out HomeRun (http://homerun.com/) and Buy With Me (www.buywithme.com).

    Cheers,
    Jean

  • September 24, 2010

    Wow, that is an amazing chocolate day of fun! I do know about Groupon but I’ll have to check out the others. I got a great deal on cupcakes/ice cream on Groupon so I hear you on the bank account draining thing. But they are such good deals… 😀

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