• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pinch My Salt

Food, Recipes, and Photography

  • About
  • Contact
  • Recipe List
  • The BBA Challenge

World Class Chocolate in San Diego?

May 13, 2008 by Nicole 42 Comments

Eclipse Truffle

San Diego is known for many things. Beautiful weather and beautiful people? Yes. Beaches, great fish tacos, and palm trees? There’s plenty! Handmade artisan chocolate? Hmmmm.

Chocolate just isn’t something that come to mind when you think of California’s southernmost city. But Will Gustwiller, owner of Eclipse Chocolat, is on his way to changing that.

Besides being owner, Will is the head chocolatier of this San Diego-based artisan chocolate shop. This isn’t the corner candy shop you remember from your youth. Eclipse specializes in creating exotic chocolate infusions in truffles, chocolate bars, and a variety of other confections such as crème fraîche cupcakes and dark chocolate croissant bread pudding with creme anglaise.

But Eclipse Chocolat is a special kind of business for reasons other than its amazing chocolate creations. As you walk into the shop, you will see the Eclipse Chocolat Pledge painted on the wall:

  • To provide the highest quality chocolates made from all natural and, when possible, organic ingredients. We never use additives or preservatives.
  • To sponsor local and regional non-profit organizations by donating 10% of our net profits.
  • To maintain “green” operations, using post-consumer paper products and reducing our eco-footprint.

Sounds like a good pledge to me!

Those of you who read Pinch My Salt regularly know that this post is a bit of a break from the norm. For one thing, I don’t normally frequent high end chocolate shops (I’m not much of a chocoholic). For another, I don’t normally write reviews of such places. So what the heck is going on?

Well, I was lucky enough to be invited to Eclipse Chocolat for a San Diego Foodblogger Mixer! That’s right, in addition to sampling some amazing desserts, I got to meet and mingle with a whole bunch of local foodbloggers!

As an American writing a food blog in Sicily, I was a bit isolated from the rest of the foodblogging world (geographically, that is). I was always jealous when I would read about other bloggers meeting up for dinner and becoming friends in ‘real life.’ All of that changed during my trip to New York and Chicago last summer when, for the first time, I got to meet some of my favorite foodbloggers in person. And it was wonderful to discover that they are all as much fun in person as their blogs suggest!

So when we finally had to pack up and make the big move from Sicily back to the states, one of the things I looked forward to was becoming a part of a local foodblogging community!

Although I haven’t been writing much lately, I was really excited when I received the evite from Will inviting myself and several other San Diego Foodbloggers to meet up and indulge in some complimentary dessert tasting platters. I admit I was a little nervous, as I always am in large groups of people I’ve never met, but the event turned out to be lots of fun and I met a great group people!

And let’s not forget about the desserts…

Chocolate Olive Oil Fondue

Chocolate and Olive Oil Fondue. The combination sounded strange but it was good, especially with the strawberries!

Seasonal Dessert Sampler

This is the latest seasonal tasting platter, which included: Frozen Chocolate-Mixed Berry Merlot Mousse (say that five times fast!), Grilled White Chocolate Carrot Gateau, Dark Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding with Creme Anglaise, and a White Chocolate-Chamomile Lemon Bar.

Seasonal Dessert Sampler

A better view of the bread pudding from the same platter.

Foodlbogger Sampling the Seasonal Dessert Platter

Kim from Foolin’ Around in the Kitchen digs into that yummy frozen mousse!

foodblogger sampling a panino

Tyler of What We’re Eating with a Roast Beef Panini that apparently contained chocolate in some form or another. Yes, Eclipse Chocolat also offers sandwiches!

Lavender Vanilla Bean Lemonade

Surprisingly, this Lavender Vanilla Bean Lemonade was one of my favorite things!

Foodbloggers at Eclipse Chocolat

Unfortunately I didn’t get a good group shot of everyone but as you can see, there was lots of mingling going on! Will had the great idea for us to wear name tags featuring our first name plus the name of our blog.

Again, I do not consider myself to be a chocoholic and I freely admit that I prefer milk chocolate over dark. But truffles, whether made from milk or dark chocolate, are one of my weaknesses. The one below consisted of caramel chocolate ganache dipped in milk chocolate, topped with Lavender-scented gray sea salt and we were each given one as a parting gift.

Oh my!

Eclipse Truffle

Not sure how I managed to photograph that truffle before biting into it but it really was as good as it looks! I loved the crunchy sea salt on top and the hint of lavender worked well.

All in all, it was a great afternoon. My only regret is I didn’t get a chance to chat with everyone who was there. I guess we’ll just have to plan another event! Some of the bloggers I did get a chance to meet were:

Marie from Adventures of an Amateur Foodie
Kim from Foolin’ Around in the Kitchen
Alice from Alice Q. Foodie
Tyler and Amanda from What We’re Eating
Roger from The Fifth Deadly Sin
Katherine from Koko’s Corner
Darlene from My Burning Kitchen
Dennis and Elena from Sea Rocket Bistro
Liz from Fooding 411
Caron from San Diego Foodstuff
Marcie from FoodBuzzSD
Angie from CrazySalad
Ben from Ben Bakes a Cake
Josh the SD Chowhound
Will from Eclipse Chocolat Blog

I apologize because I’m sure I’m missing a few of you! If you know of anyone I’ve left out, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to the list!

In short, the San Diego Foodblogger Mixer was quite a success. Not only did I get to meet a great group of people but I was introduced to a wonderful local chocolate shop that I probably never would have sought out on my own.

So, if you happen to find yourself in San Diego and in need of a serious dessert fix, Eclipse Chocolat is the place to go!

Eclipse Chocolate Outside View

Eclipse Chocolat
2121 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92104
619-578-2984
info@eclipsechocolat.com

Store Hours:
Mon-Thurs 9am-10pm
Friday 9am-11pm
Saturday 10am-11pm
Sunday 10am-6pm

Eclipse Chocolat Online
Eclipse Chocolat Blog

And did I mention they have a very comfortable couch and free wi-fi? These are the things that make me happy in life 🙂

Filed Under: Recommendations, Reviews

Previous Post: « Use Food Blog Search to Find the Best Recipes
Next Post: A Day in the Life of a Bread-Baking Twitter Addict »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shannon says

    May 16, 2008 at 3:56 pm

    I would love to have the recipes for some of those mouth watering desserts! The Chocolate and Olive Oil Fondue does sound gross, but looks amazing and I for one, would love to try it. I wish they would organize something like that here in Maryland. I would love to meet up with fellow food bloggers!
    Reply
  2. Tony says

    May 19, 2008 at 11:15 pm

    that's so cool that all of you met up like that. I go to school in Ithaca, NY (i.e. the middle of nowhere) so I know the feeling of not being surrounded by other food bloggers. ps. that lavender vanilla lemonade sounds like a killer combo!! It probably would be my favorite... right up there with the white chocolate-chamomile lemon bar, too!
    Reply
  3. Mandy says

    May 20, 2008 at 7:33 am

    I am already sold at the mention of lavender vanilla bean lemonade.Hmmm...of course it also helps that I am a chocoholic. I will definitely pay Will a visit when I am in San Diego. A friend is moving there end of the year. (yay!)
    Reply
  4. swirlingnotions says

    May 20, 2008 at 11:34 am

    Oh my is right! That truffle looks amazing. And what a fun group!
    Reply
  5. Sandie (Inn Cuisine) says

    May 21, 2008 at 2:22 pm

    Very neat! What fun that so many food bloggers live in the San Diego area, but then again, San Diego is well known for food so I should have expected such a thing. I'm intrigued by the lavender vanilla bean lemonade, and that photo of the truffles? Oh my! You can just tell they are decadent and delicious!
    Reply
  6. Caroline says

    May 21, 2008 at 7:29 pm

    This makes me want to head straight to San Diego! Great recap and photos. Thank you!
    Reply
  7. Nina says

    May 22, 2008 at 12:36 am

    There should be laws against posts like these - every photo had me salivating. Ps. I see you've made the switch to a .com. I have too, but I am battling to change my template. Do you have advice for me.
    Reply
  8. Dustin says

    May 25, 2008 at 3:17 am

    So I haven't checked out your site in like...two months. Might have something to do with the ridiculous amount of bandwidth we are alloted out on the ship....anyways, I am here in Dubai, UAE, and I click on Flickr, but apparently that site isn't in keeping with the cultural and religious values of my host country :( Good times...keep bloggin'
    Reply
  9. Renne says

    May 26, 2008 at 12:17 am

    Hi there. I've been wondering around for couples of months. I'm living in Thailand and found your blog very useful (I love your Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe). All I want to say here is .. once I got a chance to go to the states, I definitely find this place!
    Reply
  10. Roberto says

    May 28, 2008 at 9:19 am

    So when will you make a post about the new trend of "shot glass desserts"?
    Reply
  11. Hélène says

    May 31, 2008 at 8:41 pm

    This would be a paradise for me. Sounds like a good day you had.
    Reply
  12. Rachelle ~ "Mommy? I'm Hungry!" says

    June 2, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    Ahh man! I love truffles. I wonder how I can sneak over there and get me one? hehee
    Reply
  13. Caleb says

    June 4, 2008 at 11:56 pm

    I live in San Diego and run my own food blog and never knew that this place, nor event existed. This is very cool! I'm gonna stop in and overdose on the chocolate.
    Reply
  14. Ann says

    June 11, 2008 at 11:01 am

    That chocolate looks sublime! I am a chocolate fiend myself - I just made my first Gianduja (triple chocolate, no less!) - and wow - what a stunner, and really *not* that difficult. But REALLY delicious. Glad to find a fellow chocolate lover. :)
    Reply
  15. Kevin says

    June 14, 2008 at 1:59 pm

    Just look at all of that amazing chocolate.
    Reply
  16. kellypea says

    June 21, 2008 at 6:59 am

    Thanks for the heads up on this great place! I live in San Diego and have never heard of it before. After checking out Eclipse's site, it's definitely on my list to check out now. And how great that you all had the opportunity to get together -- sounds like it was a tasty good time.
    Reply
  17. aly says

    June 25, 2008 at 7:31 pm

    that amazing look on that i want to eat it oh gash thank you forthat
    Reply
  18. Leesa says

    September 12, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    Hi... I found this great place upon my return to France!! What a shame since I was back in San Diego for a month and had ABSOLUTELY NO idea it was there!! Next time, for sure.... They're things look heavenly.... Great pics!!
    Reply
  19. Diane says

    April 5, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    I wanted to thank you for posting the review of Eclipse. It sounded (and looked) so interesting, I went with some SD friends while I was visiting, and we had a great time! We never would have thought to try it without the review. Thank you for your writing.
    Reply
  20. Bistro MD Reviews says

    September 2, 2009 at 2:24 am

    mmmmmmm! sooooooooo tasty, real mouth watering
    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Posts by Category

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy · Terms and Conditions