A report from Dana Massey-Todd. As previously reported on tablehopper, the wonderful candymaker Chuck Siegel is back in action, this time in the Mission. His new location for CHARLES CHOCOLATES is on Florida Street in the former Potrero Brewing Co. space, just down the way from the new Heath Ceramics location. I had a chance to tour the space, and it’s going to be quite the chocolate temple. It will serve as his kitchen and factory for producing treats, like his triple chocolate almonds, pavé squares, and truffles. Plus, there will also be a retail area with heated patio seating where you can sit and enjoy tea and hot chocolate, in addition to pastries like brownies and cookies.
Siegel is excited about this space because its large size opens up a lot of possibilities. The emphasis here is on the exhibition kitchen. When you walk in, you will be greeted by glass walls that showcase the chocolate magic happening within, and then you can order your treats at the retail counter. Siegel scored some wrought-iron and glass shelving from the Betsey Johnson boutique on Fillmore Street, which will provide additional display storage. On the patio you’ll find picnic benches under heaters for enjoying beverages and pastries, plus roll-up doors that, when open, will show more kitchen space behind large glass windows.
On the menu are his s’mores, which are made entirely in-house and broiled to order for perfect marshmallow caramelization, plus cookies, brownies, and frozen push pops. All of the chocolates are made from the best raw ingredients Siegel can find and are produced from scratch, whether that means candying their own citrus peel or roasting their own nuts or brandying their own cherries.
Right now, there is still some work to do before the space is ready. There is some painting to complete, and an epoxy floor that needs to fully cure before all the equipment can be moved into the kitchen. Once that’s done, it’s just a matter of getting through inspections and then they can open. Siegel is hoping to be ready to go in a few weeks. To start, they’ll be open every day, 11am-7pm, with special events coming in the future. The space will also be available for private events. 535 Florida St. at Mariposa.
The patio at Charles Chocolates. Photo: Dana Massey-Todd. © tablehopper.com.
