Kim G.
Yelp
What a gem! The chocolate at Creo is some of the best I've ever had! This is a small batch chocolatier that knows where every ingredient is sourced. The love and care they put into each bar is evident; the taste is the reward.
Creo Chocolate is meant to be eaten slowly, savored, allowing the symphony of flavors to come alive in your mouth. Seriously. I'm not waxing poetic! The flavors hit your tastebuds in sequence, similar to a fine wine. The Mayan Spicy Dark starts out as deep chocolate then you are hot with cinnamon followed by ginger. It's heavenly! Addictive.
I drive by every single day on my way home from the gym, but never stopped in. Then last week there was a parking spot open, I knew Galentines and Valentine's Days we're approaching, so decided to venture in. OMG. This place knows their chocolate! Soooo good.
This is a small family owned business who partners with other local businesses to secure not only the cacao beans, but the mint, the whiskey (dark whiskey is another fave), the hazelnuts, the almonds and other flavors and ingredients that are carefully selected to ensure the flavors marry and pair well together.
My first time in I only sampled the dark varieties. And there are several! But when I came back, the owner was there and explained that their milk chocolate actually has a high percentage of cacao. I decided to give it a try and it was also delicious. Smooth and not too sweet. Even their caramel white chocolate was divine, tasted like dulce con leche; not like the sickeningly sweet white chocolate that you find in big box stores at Easter!
A good friend of mine loves dark chocolate covered oranges so I bought her a bar of the Dark Chocolate Orange and can't wait to give it to her! The flavor is intense in a good way, not overpowering, just perfectly paired. I'm giving it to her as a Galentine's gift since a bunch of us are having dinner to celebrate our friendships.
I'm so glad I was able to meet the owner; his passion for chocolate is contagious! As if I need more reasons to love chocolate! He shared that Creo offers several tours and classes. I'll be signing up for Make a Bar Tour so I can see how the chocolate is processed and how the bars are made. You even get to make your own custom bar to take home! For $20, that's a great way to spend a few hours.
The shop itself is decorated in a natural and sophisticated palette, warm and inviting. The colors inside are all shades of chocolate - hardwood floors, wooden display shelfs adorned with Creo Chocolate bars and samples, plus decorated with dried cacao pods, also for sale. There are handwritten messages on the off white walls. For those wishing to enjoy drinking chocolate or treats there, they have several tables and chairs. It's all very soothing, just like the chocolate!
My favorite bars are: Dark Chocolate Orange, Whiskey Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Cacao Nibs, and Dark Chocolate Mint. In the display case they have a variety of truffles, individual chocolates, chocolate bars (their version of a Twix), and brownies which I have yet to try.
For the best selection of Creo Chocolates, and samples, visit their shop on NE Broadway. You can also find selections at The Meadow on NW 23rd and on North Mississippi Ave. Or online at creochocolate.com.
Visit this shop, support this family owned business, enjoy their heavenly chocolate. You're welcome!