THE SCOOP: GREEDY FOR CHOCOLATE

In your haste to recover from your 4th of July weekend shenanigans, you may have missed the fact that Monday was National Chocolate Day. But let’s not pretend we don’t want every day to be National Chocolate Day. While we wish we could fly to New York or Vegas and eat chocolate fondue at Max Brenner’s all day, why do that when we can overdose on chocolate in our own backyard?

We geared up for the tough task of chocolate-tasting around the city to bring you this round-up of Los Angeles spots with off-menu (read: kinda secret) chocolate items and other get-it-while-you-can chocolate goodies, so you can celebrate the city’s own chocolate secrets, everyday. These items, of course, are subject to availability, so make sure you call ahead before you head out on your indulgent chocolate adventure.

Cognoscenti Coffee

What originally began as a pop-up coffee shop soon became a permanent namesake in Los Angeles’s coffee culture when Cognoscenti Coffee opened up shop in Culver City. Aside from attracting regulars and curious coffee heads, the shop has also wooed customers with their secret menu item: Hot Chocolate. Even better than homemade, their mix is a decadent concoction brewed with organic cocoa beans and Straus Family Creamery’s barista milk.

6114 Washington Blvd., Culver City, (310) 363-7325, popupcoffee.com

Craig’s

Although Craig’s is known for its high-profile celebrity sightings, this Hollywood restaurant may still have a few secrets of their own. For those feeling a little adventurous, the Chocolate Pizza off their mystery menu is worth a try. Craig’s chefs prepare the dessert by melting three types of chocolate chips, bittersweet, white and milk, over a honey wheat pizza crust. The flatbread is then sprinkled with cookie crumbs before being topped off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Hot and cold, warm and chewy.

8826 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, (310), 276-1900, craigs.la

Short Order

The restaurant was founded in 2011 by Amy Pressman and Bill Chait who had a common love for preparing meals with locally grown and organic ingredients. Today, Short Order exists as a fast but casual two-story establishment with an outdoor patio to enjoy the daytime glow and evening breeze. Those wanting to try their secret menu can try their luck ordering a Black Forest Custard Shake. If available, the shake is the perfect sweetness to any Short Order meal. The drink is a mixture of chocolate custard milkshake and cherry compote, drizzled with chocolate chunks and topped off with a dark cherry.

6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, (323) 761-7970, shortorderla.com

ChocolateBox Cafe

Those looking to experiment with new flavors might find ChocolateBox Cafe a hot chocolate revival for the taste buds. Although no longer a secret, the Belgian-inspired cafe has released their off-menu list of gourmet hot chocolate selections melted from the finest flavored chocolate shavings. The cafe has curated a mix of unlikely flavors including Cinnamon, Ginger and Earl Grey.

3939 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu, (310) 456-7977, chocolateboxcafe.com
Photo credits: Let Them Eat Cake, HuffPo, FoodGPS, Grub Street