05/26/09

Decent Chocolate

by lindsayalix

I didnt think Cocoa Bar was as good as my favortite place in the city, Chocolate Bar. The ambiance so unique and the chocolate is to die for!!

CHOCOLATE BAR WEST VILLAGE

Alison Nelson reopened her West Village location just steps away from her pioneering original

Chocolate Bar: 19 Eighth Avenue between 12th Street & Jane, NYC (West Village)

www.chocolatebarnyc. com/ info@chocolatebarnyc. com

05/15/08

disappointing, more of a coffee shop

by desieclipse

After hearing a lot of buzz about this place, I made the treck from Williamsburg to Park Slope to check it out. Rather than having a comfortable, loungey, post-dinner atmosphere - it was like a grungey college kids' coffee shop. Also, they do not make their own desserts and nothing really looked that exciting. The wine list was just okay. I didn't check out the backyard since it was kind of a cold day. The patisserie down the street is much better with a much fresher and better dessert selection.

• Pros: lots of space, wi-fi, coffee shop that serves wine
• Cons: uncomfortable seating, desserts not made in-house

12/08/07

Great place, just bring a jacket and a few extra dollars

by thinkbliss

Free wi-fi, decent coffee, and a great back yard area with an outlet makes Cocoa Bar a viable option among the Park Slope cafe circuit. While not your average loungey cafe it does provide adequate and comfortable seating. It has a great outdoor area for summer. Unfortunately in the winter they still feel the need to blast the air-conditioner even though the place would probably a nice room temperature with out it. Also, they are probably one of the most expensive places to get specialty coffee in the neighborhood, next to Starbucks. Actually, their prices are pretty comparable to Starbucks. The baked goods and sweets are good especially pricey but tasty.

For some reason, the patrons feel this place is perfect for dishing loudly on their cellphones probably as a result of the overhead music being loud.

• Pros: Free Wi-fi, Good coffee, Outdoor seating, Tasty desserts and coffee
• Cons: Over air-conditioned in winter, Expensive, Loud Patrons and music

07/27/07

Wine and chocolate make a rich pairing at this Park Slope dessert bar.

by Karen Hudes

The Scene
A nightcap of Cotes du Rhone and truffles may have innate romantic potential, but this wine, chocolate and coffee bar opts for a friendly, breakfast nook feel. Daytime freelancers and Park Slopers out for a casual evening settle into a recessed, cushioned banquette by the front window, the stools along the blond wood bar, or the tables on the back patio. The mustard-painted side room is too bright with spot lighting to create an intimate mood.

The Food
International reds, whites, sparkling wines, ports and sherries populate the menu, along with organic chocolate-based desserts such as a luscious flourless chocolate truffle cake, buttery dark chocolate-dipped toffee, and a chocolate fondue for two. The bar also offers several couplings of vintages with house sweets, among them a merlot with dark chocolate orange peels, and port-soaked, chocolate-dipped figs that deepen in flavor with a richly toned madeira.

06/15/07

Decent coffee lounge

by bellakitty

I'm not a big fan of their coffee and the fact they don't serve it after 7:00 is weird. But, they have great desserts and it becomes a wine bar at night. Good for an after dinner hang out or go with your laptop and enjoy some treats while you work. The workers are sort of nice but give a strange vibe, this has only been recently. Expect slow service most times whether ordering at the counter or getting table service.

• Pros: good desserts and chocolate
• Cons: expensive, slow service

04/23/07

Great selection!

by smeeti

Even better that it now has a beer selection. The selection of beer and wine is great, diverse regions as well as prices. A little something for everyone, which I appreciate. The staff is really laid-back if that's what you like. I've had a great time every time I've been there and will definitely be back...

• Pros: beer and wine selection along w/ cakes

02/08/07

coolest place ever been to

by aniccc

just went yesterday for the first time after seeing it was voted 2nd best chocolate place in all of nyc. this place is AMAZING. i happened to buy a CUSTOM box of 24 so I have no idea what the guy below me is talking about. yes its a bit more in the box thats because the packaging isn't free. hello? also, yes jacques torres is about 5 cents cheaper per piece but he's also mass produced. cocoa bar seems to be artisian chocolates- at least from what I could tell. i just wish there was more seating. everything was full and we had to sit at the bar which wasn't my ideal choice. my friends and i shared three different wines and chocolate pairings. divine. we also tried a mint hot chocolate. yummmmyyyy.

• Pros: chocolates,staff, ambience & creative pairings
• Cons: cramped bar

01/14/07

go to jacques torres instead

by mjkanas

Not a bad place for a cup of coffee and a good chocolate or muffin, but their chocolates are not as good as Jacques Torres in Dumbo and they are twice the price. I went in and wanted a box of their gourmet chocolates which are priced at $1.60 each. The counter guy told me it was better to get their premade box of 24 chocolates for $42 (which is more than if I bought 24) and I couldn't get the ones I wanted and they came thrown into a box - nothing surrounding the candies - just in a box. I. couldn't help but think he was just being lazy because there's a whole showcase full of individually priced chocolates, so why couldn't I order what I wanted? I was embarassed when I gave it as a gift. I won't be back.

• Pros: good coffee
• Cons: expensive, poor service

08/22/06

Great cup of coffee and free internet

by birnysw

I work an evening/overnight shift 3 times a week. Before my shift I stop by, have a cup of joe (the coffee of the day is ALWAYS good) and catch up on my email and web sites. They have just enough indoor seating, and a very nice outdoor patio, which is always cash in the city. The patio could use a little "growing", but it will get there in time. Other than the occassional bozo who wants too much space for themselves (hey, it is Park Slope), I never leave unhappy. Free internet!!

• Pros: Free internet and great coffee.
• Cons: A bit on the cold side (the A/C is cranking!)

07/13/06

Great Coffee, Too Much Dave Matthews!

by marita1

Pros: independently owned, friendly staff, the most delicioius coffee drinks in the Slope (beating Ozzie's, Gorilla Coffee, the Tea Lounge, and, of course, Starbucks), tasty pastries and chocolates, late-night hours. Cocoa Bar has one of the best outdoor spaces in Brooklyn, too. Free Wi-Fi is key for freelancers. The nighttime scene is great, as the 7th Avenue section of Park Slope is otherwise hurting for good places to hang out if all you want is a glass of wine. Pairing chocolate with wine is a great idea, and Cocoa Bar does it better than anyone.

Cons: not a whole lot of seating if you get there late, but what are you gonna do? (It's the old, "nobody goes there, it's too crowded" complaint.) My biggest pet peeve, as someone who goes about three times a week, is the music. Number one, it's too loud in the back room, especially for all of those freelancers writing the next great American novel. Number two, it's the same music over and over again, as if there's an iPod with about 100 songs on it shuffling forever. Dave Matthews seems to come up quite a lot. I think most would prefer a little more quiet, background music when enjoying their coffee and I can't imagine what working in a place that plays "Ants Marching" a dozen times a day would do to one's sanity. If they could only turn it down and mix it up, they'd have a true winner of a place. It's the only thing preventing me from giving this the full 10 rating.

• Pros: Delicious coffee, especially their flavored lattes, frappes
• Cons: Loud, repetitive music...maybe they want to drive you out of there fast?