Dulcet Devotion

It’s like comparing apples to oranges. They’re different as chalk and cheese, people say. There are many ways to explain two completely unrelated things. But what about choc and cheese? Where do two of the best foods on the planet fit in?

Last week I took a walking food tour around town that focused on these two delicacies, and it begged the question: Are you a chocolate or a cheese person? Can these two groups get along? And most importantly, how long do I have to wait until I can taste the two together?!

Our morning started at Tealish, a lovely little tea shop on Queen West. We were greeted by our guide, Trina, and the soft fresh scent of speciality teas. A lifetime tea drinker, I like to keep it classic, and rarely stray beyond orange pekoe or English breakfast. But there were three intriguing chocolate tea options in honour of the tour, and I couldn’t resist the chocolate mint rooibos.

With a large piping hot drink to keep us warm, we crossed the street and landed at Dlish–a cupcakery of the finest calibre–for a pre-lunch treat. The passionate, knowledgeable owner walked us through the many flavours they had on offer that change on a daily basis (repeat visit anyone?) and helped us get our chocolate on. Dlish is right! We each left with a large cupcake settling in our bellies, firmly in food heaven.

We started off strong, but it wasn’t until we zigzagged back across the street to Chococrepe that the chocolate and cheese conversation really heated up. We were all seated around a large table, having just heard the friendly, enthusiastic owner introduce us to his sweet and savoury crêpe destination. While he went to prepare our first treat, we got talking about who was a chocolate person and who was a cheese person.

The results surprised me. There was almost an equal amount of chocolate to cheesers at the table, with a few who started out their lives as chocolates, but have now become cheese lovers. Everyone, however, was quick to qualify their answer saying that of course they still love both:)

Lucky for us Chococrepe delivered, starting with two silky smooth cheese buckwheat crêpes, and following up with a chocolate tasting plate of chocolate (Valrhona of course), hot chocolate (the creamiest, smoothest that has ever passed my lips) and a sweet fruit crêpe drizzled with chocolate sauce. The table was silent–usually a good sign when food is involved. No one could believe how good both the cheese and the chocolate crêpes were. So maybe these two foods really aren’t that different after all. There must be something in common with both that makes them attractive to all.

We could have stayed all day for the relaxing ambiance and welcoming hospitality, but there was more tasting to be done! Off we went to walk off some of those calories and make our way down to Cheesewerks.

Having had mostly chocolate for the first half of our tour, our visit to Cheesewerks was a welcome change. We enjoyed grilled cheese and fresh tomato soup (a classic crowd fave) and a local cheddar with a sweet onion and garlic chutney. But it wasn’t until our final treat that the day really came together.

Dark chocolate, brie, and a sweet horseradish jam. Our two worlds collided, and we found out that in fact, chocolate and cheese go very well together, just like the keen group of food lovers on our tour.

Even after such a mind-blowing revelation, we had one more stop to round out our day of overindulgence and fun–Soma Chocolatemaker.

After a tour of their shop and chocolate-making facilities we received a lesson in how chocolate is sourced and made. Our keen attention was awarded with a sample of their famous hot chocolate (with both Classic or Mayan available) and a sample to pack away for later (a girl can only eat so much chocolate and cheese in one day, no matter how much of a fan she is).

I came away from the day with some new friends, a new appreciation for local artisans in our city, and of course, a full belly. Oh, and some new favourite shops to frequent the next time I have a craving for my two favourite foods: Chocolate and cheese. I refuse to take sides. There’s so much to love, it just wouldn’t be fair.

So tell me? Which one are you? A chocolate or a cheese?

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Experience your own journey from chocolate to cheese and back again with Trina of ChowBella Culinary Experiences and Concierge. Her Chocolate + Cheese Crawl runs Saturday afternoons. 

Full disclosure: Trina invited me to join her inaugural Chocolate + Cheese Crawl as her guest. However I would be singing her praises regardless. Trina’s passion for sharing her food finds is infectious. It’s a great experience for singles, couples or friends who love food and love our city.