Chocolate heaven

(Credit: Michelle Prindle)

Recently, I went to Chocolate Heaven. And I’m not talking about that little fondue pot friends whip out at holiday parties for the dipping of strawberries in melted Hershey’s chocolate bars. I’m talking about a European-style café that serves pure, decadent, sensual chocolate in all its glory. A bistro where the sweets are so exquisite that they’d entice the chocolate lover in even the hardest of hearted. An eatery where the talent for hand-crafting fine chocolates is next to godliness. In a word, I went to…Chocopologie.

Chocopologie by Knipschildt Chocolatier is an inviting little eatery at the heart of chic, SoHo-esque South Norwalk. The brainchild of Danish-born Fritz Knipschildt, Master Chocolatier and founder of Knipschildt Chocolatier, this funky little café boasts a full menu of delicious entrées that can be paired with selections from the café’s impressive wine list. There’s also an appealing list of creative coffee concoctions—the delicious “Chocopologie” with espresso and dark hot chocolate topped with lavender-infused foam comes to mind—and tempting teas—great companions for a lazy afternoon reading the paper on one of the café's overstuffed leather seats.

Yet it’s the chocolates that draw the most attention at Chocopologie. Knipschildt has made an unwavering commitment to quality, and his dedication shows. Each yummy bite is crafted by hand from all natural ingredients into a true work of art. What else would you expect from the chocolatier whose truffle was named “2nd Best Chocolate Truffle in the World” by Gourmet Magazine.  The chocolates at Chocopologie are truly beyond comparison.

Food: With such a sweet name, you might not expect a no-nonsense menu of delicious entrées. But if you’re hankering for food, Chocopologie’s got it in droves. From a sizeable selection of all-day breakfast entrees to savory buckwheat crepes, fresh salads and toasted sandwiches, this menu means business. The Ropongo salad—layers of greens, mango, peanuts, shrimp, avocado, mint and eggs, with an oriental vinaigrette—is refreshingly light. A good precursor to the gorging that’s sure to follow with dessert.

And about those desserts...There’s a certain romance surrounding the chocolates Knipschildt designs—maybe it’s the fact that each is named for a different woman. A fanciful idea, indicating that each individual piece has it’s own personality. And they do. An absolute favorite is the "Hannah." Rich dark chocolate filled with burnt caramel and topped with Hawaiian sea salt, this really is a must-try. If you’re a bit skeptical, think of that timeless pairing of the chocolate dipped pretzel for a hint, just a hint, of the unrivaled goodness that awaits. There are also truffles, milk chocolate and white chocolate delights. Knipschildt’s trademark creativity, seen in the unique ingredients that find their way into his chocolates, from rosewater and port wine to Ancho chili and edible copper, means that each and every bite is sure to amaze, astound or confound.

If you’re looking for a more traditional dessert, try the Bonfire S’mores, the Chocolate Fondue for 2 or the incredibly appealing Molten Chocolate Cake.

Booze: Chocopologie is a wine bar. So, if you want a martini, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’d like to pair a plate of chocolates with a flavorful glass of pinot noir, the respectable wine list is sure to capture your interest. The relaxed atmosphere also guarantees that visitors can sit with a glass of wine and relax, people watch or just plain savor the flavors of fragrances that define the Chocopologie experience, with no interruptions or annoying waiters pushing the check.

Decor: In keeping with the cacao theme, Chocopologie is painted in hues of chocolate brown, with brown leather bench seats along the wall, one warm and inviting booth in the front corner and a long, European-style butcher-block table down the center. There's also a certain "urban chic" ambiance, with one exposed-brick wall covered in metal chain-link, exposed ductwork and a large overhead mirror that reflects the activity below. To the right is La Gallerie du Chocolat, which stretches to the back of the restaurant. Here visitors can sit at the bar along the wall or at small two-person tables and take advantage of the great view, through barn-style windows, into the working kitchen where the chocolate-making magic takes place.

Vibe: Chocopologie is a cozy and relaxed café. There is a warmth and nostalgia that surrounds every aspect of the dining experience, as though Knipschildt has tried, in each and every detail, to recreate a bistro in true European-style, with emphasis on a tranquil atmosphere that allows each table the luxury of time to enjoy the food and ambiance.

Service: The waitstaff at Chocopologie is warm, friendly and helpful. Always there to offer help when necessary, providing interesting suggestions of chocolate pairings, they will just as quickly fade to the background to ensure an uninhibited dining experience.

Attire: Casual. There’s no need to dress-to-impress at Chocopologie. Come as you are. Enjoy good food, wine, chocolate and company and rest assured that you will never feel out of place or unwanted.

Bottom line: Chocopologie is chocolate heaven. Pure and simple.

Chocopologie
12 South Main St., Norwalk
203-854-4754

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