The San Diego Traveler

It’s time for all chocolate lovers to come together and thank their higher power for the existence of the cacao bean!

The Vista Village Chocolate Festival and Street Fair commences this Sunday (May 25), with these twelve vendors in the Chocolate Alley:

• Brandini Toffee – Fresh and simple; they use only 4 ingredients – Creamy Butter, Pure Cane Sugar, Dark Chocolate and Roasted Almonds; from La Quinta
• C.C.’s Chocolate Etcetera – A chocolate and candy shop with retro flair owned by Cindy “C.C.” Casady in nearby San Marcos; specializes in hand-made fudge and customized favors for any special event
• Fran & Patti’s Past Times Chocolate Shop – Manufacturing a variety of delicious and beautifully detailed chocolates, filled and solid, since 1992; Mother and daughter-owned business based in Sun City

“Our Triple Dipped Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles, our Chocolate Covered Cherries and our Chocolate Crunches are “Simply Irresistible.”

• Healthy Beverages – Great tasting, healthy coffee, tea, mocha, hot chocolate and more, based in Vista
• Mellace Family Brands – Dark chocolate & cinnamon almonds, milk chocolate Irish cream, dark chocolate cashews and assorted roasted nuts, based in Carlsbad
• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory – Chocolate dipped strawberries, chocolates and other candies
• Starbucks Coffee – Frappucino samples
• Sweet Treats – Chocolate-dipped goodies from Dale Prochnow of Wildomar
• Tony & Lucy’s – Funnel cakes with chocolate topping from San Diego
• Victorian Sweet Shoppe – Frozen fresh fruit kabobs dipped in various chocolate and crunch mixtures, based in Colton
• Yo Lily Cheesecake Company – Cheesecake on a stick, chocolate strawberries, from Chula Vista
• Zoofari – Boxes of chocolate truffles from Jackie Navarro of Carlsbad

In total, there will be 130 vendors featuring arts, crafts, jewelry, clothing, business services, chocolate, and a food court with:

• Carvel Ice Cream
• Hunter Steakhouse
• El Gordito Feliz Mexican Food
• Hot 2 Pop Kettle Korn
• Donut Dudes
• Garden State Ice
• The Greek Gourmet
• Major League

If you want more food options, these restaurants line the streets of the festival:

• Curbside Cafe
• Hennessey’s
• Village Cafe
• Juanita’s Taco Shop
• El Ranchero
• Allen’s Alley
• Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant

The Chocolate Festival will also feature Chocolate Dessert Baking Competitions for Adults, teens and children. A Kids Zone will include rides and games.

Although I’d still like to see a LOT more chocolate at the Chocolate Festival, there are a few more chocolate vendors scheduled this year, and as one of Vista’s largest annual events, it should be a fun day out for all (weather permitting).

Photos by Carole A. Lane

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