Annual Grandview Chocolate Walk

Last week my husband, Andrew and I went on the annual Grandview Chocolate Walk to benefit the Grandview Hts. Public Library foundation. As some may recall, last year he was unable to join me due to a work-related commitment, but this year he was able to clear his schedule and come along (which I was eternally grateful for as I didn’t fancy having to carry two bags around all evening).

It was just a little cooler than last year (about 75 degrees) with one brief shower about halfway through the two hour walk, but overall perfect weather for the event. Since it’s usually scheduled so close to ‘The Memorial,’ there’s the constant threat of showers due to the curse of ‘Leather Lips.’ Ask a local and they’ll explain it to you.

No longer a novice to this event, we came prepared as I brought about a dozen sandwich bags in case any of the chocolate we were given didn’t come wrapped. Since there are nearly three dozen stops on the tour, you’re wise to only consume the non-parishable or messy desserts. Apparently I wasn’t the only one to bring extras. A lady I chatted with said she brings baggies too and has seen people with Tupperware and coolers.

Most places served the same thing as last year which included, in addition to candy: cake, cupcakes, mousse, a churro (very popular item as we had to wait for the stock to be replenished) and even mini waffles (which I was tempted to go back to Pure Imagination Chocolatier to dip them in the chocolate fountain).  Of course with two coffee shops on the tour, there are liquid treats as one served cold brew with a dash of chocolate syrup and the other served hot cocoa in cute little coffee cups.

Probably the most unusual item was bread cubes dipped in raspberry balsamic vinegar flavored with a bit of chocolate. No surprise that item was served at The Oilerie (I made a note to go back later and buy a jar of their cherry balsamic sauce).

(BTW, you would be surprised at how many things you can pair with olive oil - like sorbet for instance; considered a delicacy in Japan!)

Our favorite stop of the evening, which was definitely the biggest (tied with Jeni’s who gave everyone four small scoops of four different flavors of chocolate ice cream)

and most satisfying of all our stops was the do-it-yourself chocolate covered kabobs at Pure Imagination Chocolatier. Among the many items you could put on your skewer were: marshmallows, rice krispy treats, small chunks of pretzel bread, choux pastries (mini cream puffs), and strawberries.

The key to success here was to poke each item hard enough to get it on your skewer, and then use your fingers to push it along to make room for the next item. Also, I removed the leaves from the strawberry before getting coated in chocolate. Also, be sure to grab plenty of napkins because it’s almost impossible to get all the chocolate off your face otherwise.

The only non-food item we received (in addition to lots of coupons and flyers) was hot cocoa scented candles from The Candle Lab, which smell really nice. If they smell half as nice while burning (I admit I haven’t gotten around to burning the one I got last year), I will definitely crave chocolate!

Besides helping the Grandview Hts. Public Library Foundation, you get a good workout from walking up and down Grandview Avenue, which is where most of the stops are located. It’s also a nice social opportunity to get to know the proprietors of the various businesses and perhaps make a friend or two along the way (which I definitely did last year as Joe & Allysa were nice enough to let me tag along with them).