July 31: chocolateries in the St. Petersburg area

Dear Friends and Relatives,

This morning we woke up to lowering skies, and we knew that a trolley car visit of downtown St. Petersburg was probably not in the offing.  As we had breakfast, the rains started hammering us, and the swimming pool came close to overflowing.  We decided to explore five chocolateries instead, all in the St. Petersburg area.  Jim, who thoroughly knew the area, decided to drive and accompany us on our quest, for which we were very  grateful.  

Our first stop was the town of Tarpon Springs, on the Gulf of Mexico and well known for its sponge diving industry, and as a mainly Greek-settled town.  In fact, our first stop was a lovely lake surrounded by a residential area and sporting a platform from which, on Epiphany, a Greek Orthodox priest blesses the divers who practice their craft there.  From a small walk around the lake we got back in the car and drove to Dodecanese Ave., where we encountered a marina, many Greek shops and restaurants, and our first chocolaterie, The Fudge Factory.  The fudge there is made using grandmother's Dutch family recipes.  It has been in operation since 1988.  14 flavors are presented: Chocolate, Chocolate Walnut, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Rocky Road, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Coconut, Peanut Butter, Vanilla, Vanilla Walnut, Maple Walnut, Penuche, and Penuche Walnut.  After working the fudge with special paddles, they form it into what looks like French bread.  The store is located on the famous Sponge Docks of Tarpon Springs, Florida, known as the sponge capital of the United States.  

From there we headed to the town of Dunedin, where we visited our second chocolaterie, The Candy Shop, which has a selection of retro, modern, and Florida candies that appeal to all ages.  Of course I could not resist buying an assortment of great but weird candies for Alexandra's upcoming birthday.  

Our next stop, as we were beginning to feel peckish, was to stop in the town of Clearwater to have lunch at the Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill and Bar.  The restaurant is laid back and casual, and was started in 1926.  It faces the white sands of the Clearwater Beach and the Gulf beyond.  Live entertainment, a singer and guitarist, entertained towards the end of the meal.  We all had the same two appetizers:  Florida Shrimp and Crab Chowder--rich and creamy house-made chowder with shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn, bacon, and red peppers; and Coconut Shrimp--jumbo Gulf shrimp covered in coconut and fried, served with chili orange marmalade.  Amazing food, and not especially heavy.  

From there we drove to Belleair, making our way south the whole time, and our third chocolaterie shop was William Dean Chocolates, founded in 2007 .  Every chocolate is created by hand, and is made in small batches and without preservatives, airbrushed and painted.  

Our next venue was Madeira Bach, further south.  It is best known for its sea-themed John Pass Village and Boardwalk, which serves up shops and eateries on this 1100-ft. boardwalk.  Kilwin's was our next chocolaterie, and features chocolates but also has ice creams, including much-touted chocolate coconut and salted caramel ice cream.  

Our last stop before returning home was one more downtown St. Petersburg landmark chocolaterie, the Schokolad Chocolate Factory.  Three generations of chocolate making have carried on work here, begun by Baruch Schaked in 1969.  He began practicing his trade in Argentina, and traveled extensively in Europe in order to participate in courses and seminars at prestigious schools, where he mastered the art of chocolate making.   He eventually came to Florida and established a shop here.  The chocolates are made fresh on the premises using a tried and true 3-generational European style family recipe that calls for the highest quality ingredients and attention to design detail.

Five chocolateries in all, and a better idea of the St. Petersburg area, the Intercoastal, the Gulf, sand beaches, and the interesting mishmash of cultures that has made the place so unique.

We are now back home, and Jim and Nancy have just exited their pool while I have been working on this blog.  Now we are rocking to some great music ranging from Judy Collins to Joan Baez, "Hair," The Beatles, The Eagles and The Who.  Nancy is inside and is making our dinner, which will consist of goat cheese tortellini with marinara sauce and broccoli.  Afterwards, we will probably watch some more of my slides of Moscow or a movie.  Having fun here, in spite of all the rain and the humidity!  Great day today!  As ever, Sylvia