El Buen Cacao — Restaurant in Idyllwild-Pine Cove

June 2021 El Buen Cacao - put this on your to-do list! New location since our last visit several years ago. Moved from central town alley to a larger space in a shopping center just a couple of blocks away. Hint: above the brewpub. Same excellent quality of offerings to enjoy on or off promises. We visited on a late Sunday morning. I was going to have my 'usual' sipping chocolate (hot chocolate taken to way beyond the next level). Instead, since it was a hot day, I / we both opted for an ice chocolate drink, more like a brewed cacao tea. I found it weak and lacking flavor. Sweetener helped a bit. My wife, the chocolatier - found it most refreshing and delightful. My takeaway: stick with the strong stuff and savor it without having to search for substance. Bought a couple of bars and a chocolate wheel for making sipping chocolate later. All is well. We are so pleased to see this small family business growing, especially considering the business climate since Covid struck. That is positive testimony to the quality of products and dedication...

WOW-

First - this little girl, literally knee-high, who looks like she could be a Disney character told me the store was closed and I couldn't go in. I asked her what time they closed and she said "30", being that it was 4:40, I assumed they closed. Then my wife tried to go in and she said "No, you can't go in there" we went in anyway and were met with the smell of chocolate... GOOD chocolate and a smiling, grown up version of the little girl we met outside.

After reviewing the menu - I really wanted to try the Violetta but didn't because I just had espresso - we ordered truffles and sampled some of their bars. Without exaggeration, this is the best chocolate I've ever tasted. The truffle was perfect. All the big name brands don't hold a candle to these folks. This place has ruined all other chocolates for me.

We'll be back for sure. Highly recommend.

AS FOR THE POSTS ABOUT THEM BEING RACIST: The owner is American and his wife is Peruvian - and his precious little daughter is of color.

I don't believe the race card applies to...

You're in for a treat at El Buen Cacao.

I was a coffee drinker all my life when I recently realized I wasn't loving the way all that caffeine left me feeling, and have shifted more to hot chocolates and tea lattes to get that warm fuzzy fix. While this shop also has espresso lattes, it felt like heaven for me :)

Adorable little Sofia helped us out as well as her father and another young gal; they were all SO kind, helpful, knowledgeable and sweet. There was a bunch of treats to chose from, with their guidance and information shared, I was able to chose wisely. Their warmth and happiness was as palatable as their cacao.

I got a La Violeta and it was spectacular; mellow and sweet, filling me with just the right amount of energy and warmth. We stopped back in for goodies to send back home and our experience was still just as enjoyable the second time- and we can't wait to share the delicious haven that is El Buen Cacao with our friends...