Tuesday, November 23, 2021

The Chocolate Shoppe - Delicious, Handmade Chocolates & Treats Made With Love, in Gardnerville, NV.

Meet the Owners, Lynn & Harvey
Lori wrapping Halloween cookies
Halloween Treats Galore
Pumpkin Spiced Cocoa Bomb. So fun for everyone. 
Adorable regulars that used to bike to the shop many years ago.

1363 HWY 395N, Suite 7
Gardnerville, NV 89410
(775) 267-1002
Shop Online (shipping available for USA & Canada)

30 minutes from Sushi Pier in Lake Tahoe
15 minutes from Genoa, Nevada's first settlement
15 minutes from In-N-Out, Carson City
45 Minutes from South Reno

An incredible and lovable staff. 


Reasons Why I Love The Chocolate Shoppe

*The owners and staff are seriously passionate about what they do, and you can taste it in every bite.
*Free samples. Enough said.
*No one does holiday treats like they do - festive, creative, and delicious.
*Their motto? Everything has to taste as good as it looks.
*Ashley’s Bordeaux alone is reason enough to visit or place an order online.
*They love doing custom orders and always welcome new ideas.
*Their staff sings while they work, and honestly, I think that joy translates straight into the chocolate.
*No refined sugars or artificial ingredients - just pure, high-quality goodness.
*They create custom gift baskets for any occasion.
*They print images on cookies, Rice Krispies, and other treats - so fun and personal!
*They ship their chocolates across the U.S. and Canada.
*If you’re driving to California on the 395, you have to stop.
*The second you walk in, you’re hit with the most incredible chocolatey aroma.
*Their Roka will ruin that pink tin Almond Roca from childhood in the best possible way.
*The drive to Gardnerville is absolutely beautiful.
*Anything from their shop makes a perfect gift (or a “treat yourself” moment).
*Everything is homemade, made in small batches, and individually wrapped with care.

If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that Lynn and her amazing team at The Chocolate Shoppe are the happiest chocolatiers around. Their joy is infectious, and they’re spreading it one smile (and one delicious confection) at a time.

What started as a wholesale business back in 1994 has grown into a beloved retail shop in Gardnerville - one that quickly became a pillar of the community. Locals know they can always count on The Chocolate Shoppe for not only incredible treats but also warm, friendly service that makes every visit special.

Whether you’re a longtime regular or stepping inside for the first time, you’ll be treated like family. The team is always eager to help you find the perfect treat to brighten your day.

The Chocolate Shoppe goes beyond just selling sweets - they specialize in creating custom gifts for any occasion. Whether you want a special photo printed on a delicious cookie, a thoughtfully curated gift basket, or a unique creation tailored just for you, they’ll make it happen. Since everything is made in-house, they have the flexibility to bring your sweetest ideas to life.

And when the holidays roll around? Oh, they go all out! No matter the occasion, you’ll find festive, handcrafted treats that make celebrating even sweeter.

If there were awards for the most festive, most passionate, & most dedicated, The Chocolate Shoppe would take them all.

Meeting Lynn and her team has been an absolute joy, and I feel lucky to have experienced the magic they bring to the community. If you haven’t stopped by yet, trust me - you’re in for a treat.

Lynn printing images on cookies for a custom order.

How I Discovered The Chocolate Shoppe

Too much fun at the annual Coffin Races in Gardnerville.

Notice the cool zombie in the coffin that gave me a thumbs up. 

It was love at first bite when I bit into their top-seller, Ashley's Bordeoux, rich and creamy brown sugar, mocha butter cream, wrapped in dark chocolate and topped with real chocolate sprinkles, at the coffin races in Gardnerville, Nevada.

The Chocolate Shoppe had a vibrant and festive display of Halloween treats at The Coffin Races in Gardnerville back in October 2021.

The perfect chocolate dipped Oreos

Two dressed-up skeletons stood on either side of the table, daring and welcoming visitors to step up and grab some treats worth dying for. With how eye-catching everything looked, I couldn’t resist - and I’m so glad I didn’t because I struck gold.

At The Chocolate Shoppe's booth, my kids and I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah and Eden, who greeted us with the warmest smiles and cheerful hellos.

Being our usual chatty selves, my daughter, son, and I fired off all sorts of questions - "How are you?" "What’s good here?" "Do you have a storefront?"

Each question was met with enthusiasm, and honestly, their energy made the whole experience even better. You could tell Sarah and Eden weren’t just there to sell treats - they genuinely loved what they were doing.

They gave their stamp of approval on just about everything and even extended a friendly invite to visit their shop, where all their goodies are made fresh. That was all the convincing we needed.

My kids and I eagerly grabbed a mix of treats - milk chocolate-dipped marshmallows covered in festive fall sprinkles, chocolate-dipped double-stuffed sugar skull Oreos, caramel apples, and Ashley’s Bordeaux. We weren’t the only ones; people in front of us were snatching up sweets left and right.

What we loved most? Everything was incredibly fresh, perfectly balanced, and had just the right amount of sweetness.  I can confidently say The Chocolate Shoppe knows exactly what they’re doing.

Honestly, they nail it with everything they make. If you haven’t tried their treats yet, you’re seriously missing out.

Sarah filling evergreen tree shells with creamy chocolate.
Kristina, Emily, and Mandy hard at work.

I’m so glad I discovered The Chocolate Shoppe - it’s truly the whole package and is setting the standard for what a business should be. They’re passionate about life, stand proudly behind their products, and treat every customer like family. If you’re ever in the area, don’t hesitate to stop by and tell them I (Kat) said hello.

Notes
*They’re conveniently located right next to Raley’s.
*If you’ve never been, there’s a cute little town just 15 minutes away, Genoa. It’s home to what is argued to be the oldest bar in Nevada and is super charming. They also host the popular Candy Dance Festival every year.
*Lake Tahoe is so close by, too - perfect for a sweet stop before or after you hit the lake.
*They have alcohol truffles and sugar-free chocolates available for all kinds of sweet tooths.
Be sure to follow them on Facebook for all the latest updates on new treats, sales, and  seasonal specials.

Categorized under "Good Eats" ---> "Desserts"

***Information subject to change.  All opinions are my own.

Photography
Katherine Fung,
All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

17 Reasons to Visit Pangolin Cafe in Reno Today and Seasonal Treats Not to be Missed

Dolls From Zambia for Sale

Pangolin Cafe (midtown)

955 S Virginia St.

STE 110

Reno, NV 89502


Website

Menu

Order Online

Facebook

Instagram

More Reviews and Photos on Yelp

1.  The shop is named after the most trafficked animal in the world to bring awareness of its threatened life to the public.  

In efforts to help save this endangered species, Cafe Pangolin donates a portion of their profits to savepangolins.org.  They also support a group of women who crochet in Zambia by selling their dolls in store.  Who knows what other great deeds they're involved in.  

To me, a business that works so hard in making a difference is an amazing business worth supporting. 



2.  The taste and quality of their drinks and food are superb.  

I worked at Seattle's Best Coffee and Starbucks back when I was in college and tasted so many different types of coffees and teas.  I quickly learned that all coffees and teas are not created equal.  

Like fruits and vegetables, there are different levels of taste and quality.  

Coffee beans and teas grown in ideal conditions with the best soils and nutrients will be filled with more flavors and characteristics compared to their counterparts. 

Just looking at and smelling their loose leaf teas, I can tell they pack lots of flavor.  They are comparable to loose leaf teas from tea bars in San Francisco (based solely on look and scent). 

 I do know that their Matcha Green Tea is high quality.  The flavor was outstanding in their Maple Matcha Latte.  A lot of places will skimp on using this ingredient because of it's high costs, but definitely not Pangolin. 

At first taste, I knew that what I was tasting at Pangolin was quality. 

In addition to their drinks, their confections and food are tasty.

Earthy, floral, warm, vibrant, fruity, chewy, sweet, acidic, body, roast, salty, crunchy are only a few of the many words of tastes and textures to describe the experience you'll get here. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte and Maple Matcha Green Tea Latte (Iced)

3.  Their drinks and food are works or art.

While my priority is taste when it comes to food, I am not complaining that Cafe Pangolin not only brings taste, but presentation as well.  We do eat with all of our senses, after all.  

4.  They have the perfect ambiance.

While there, I witnessed someone working on their laptop and a couple of people chatting up a storm.  Their modern styled business is super classy, laid out with lots of great details, including Thomas Edison-style lights and real and hip house plants.  

Emmy's Flower Truck Local Business

5.  They support local businesses just like themselves.  

I caught the two listed below, but there were more.  If there's one thing I love about Reno, it's the community that constantly supports one another, especially through tough times.

Emmy's Flower Truck - Emmy's flower arrangements, when coupled with the natural look of the cafe, make for an inviting atmosphere indoors.  Follow her on Facebook and Instagram to learn of her whereabouts.   

Emily Rae Art - A talented artist that does charming artwork. She sells prints and invitations on her site and does custom orders.  Follow her on Instagram to see her amazing work. 


Pumpkin Spiced White Chocolate Toffee

Seasonal Items As of Oct. 2021

6.  They go out of their way to create seasonal items for the enjoyment of their customers.

There's nothing like getting into the holiday spirit than with seasonal treats to help bring back and create new fond memories.  

It takes effort for businesses to keep up with seasonal items.  They have to create recipes, keep up with trends, advertise, approximate and order supplies and specialty ingredients.

7.  You can order online.

Order online on their website and use curbside pickup for convenience.


Liege Waffles Perfectly Balanced
Jesus making sure our drinks tasted great.

8.  Their attention to detail is outstanding.  

Their fresh handmade flower arrangements are everything.  They also offer milk alternatives for different dietary needs and have agave and paper straws.  Their branding is on point, with the pangolin printed on their sleeves, mugs, and found throughout their menu, website, store, gift tins, informative cards on how to store food, and more. 

9.  They're located in midtown on a strip packed with so many other local businesses.  

Walk across the street and check out Junkee where you can find an outfit for any occasion or walk next door to The Emerson Cocktail Lounge, Local Beer Works, or Sanctuary Hair Salon.  

Sea Salt Chocolate Dipped Toffee is Out of This World!
Turkish Delights are Delightful

10.  Their made in-house confections are out of this world and you get one free with every drink.

With the few options they have, they certainly pack a punch in the flavor department.  You must try their assorted Turkish Delights and Toffee. 

What is a Turkish Delight?  A chewy confection candy made with a base of cornstarch and a simple syrup (water and sugar) with a wide array of flavors added and coated with a cornstarch and/or powdered sugar. They are so fun and flavorful.  Best of all, they're perfectly sweetened.  Mother approved for sure.  

Their toffee is on another level, with a texture that's softer than other candies and yet still crunchy.  I highly recommend this toffee as it is filled with so much flavor.  It's definitely one of the best I've had ever. 

If you gave me a tin of their goodies, I'd be the happiest person on the planet. 

11.  They have cute tins that you can fill with their coffees, teas, and confections to give out to family and friends.

Orange Italian Cream Soda
12.  They serve drinks both iced and warm, suitable for any season so that you can enjoy their flavors year-round.

13.  They offer tastings.  

Have you ever been to a restaurant and wanted to taste more than one flavor of something?  You don't have to do that here because they 've got you covered.  Bring a friend and enjoy a tasting of their incredibly fun, chewy, delicious, and inviting Turkish Delights and AMAZING toffee (both made in house).


14.  They use earth-friendly straws. 

Plastic straws kill lots of animals and break down into microplastics that end up being consumed by sea creatures.

15.  They have outdoor seating. 



16.  Get a taste of the treat that was featured in The Chronicles of Narnia.



17.  Their Service is the Cherry on Top.
I walked in and was immediately greeted by Sal, who along with Jesus, welcomed me and my son right away and provided us with excellent service.  

Being a first customer, I always ask lots of questions and both of these workers were more than happy to answer all of them.  

Notes:

*They offer milk alternatives- oat, almond, macadamia
*Google Maps brought me to the back of their building.  You can get back onto S.Virginia St. to access the entrance to the parking lot. Business is on the corner of the block. 
*Free choice of Turkish Delight with every drink purchase
*They have bagels and cream cheese from Rounds Bakery
*They offer decaf coffees and teas. Order a teapot when with groups of friends and family.
*Coffees are analyzed with Agtronic Technology to ensure the best quality products
*Top drinks - Cubano and Cardamom Latte
*There's about seven parking spots out front.  Street parking is available.
*They have a box of masks at the door for customers
*You can take a bag of their coffees and teas home
*They have assorted pastries.
*They offer classy lavender lemonade and Italian sodas.
*They have hot cocoa

In Store Menu as of 10.13.2021

If you liked this post, you can show some love by following me on Instagram @LovingReno775.  If you already have an account, you can tag me or #lovingreno775. 

Peace, Love, & Kindness,
Katherine Fung


Categorized Under "Good Eats"---> "Cafes"