Fran's Chocolates - University Village — Restaurant in Seattle

Is “WOW!” sufficient for a review? No? Okay, then: Fran Bigelow is a “high end” Seattle chocolatier, and Fran’s has a specialty in Salt Caramels— buttercream caramel covered in 64% dark chocolate, then finished with either sea salt or gray salt. These are the caramels, by the way, that President Obama liked so much. [I have to admit to two bits of ignorance: I have no idea what “gray salt” is, other than tasty, and I’ve never tried the milk chocolate caramels she also makes. As long as she makes them in dark chocolate, I probably never will...] A couple of years ago my mother-in-law gave me the Ultimate Indulgence selection of 70 caramels. I married well.

She also makes some pretty amazing truffles, in a variety of flavors, from the expected (Pure Dark, Raspberry, Espresso, etc.) to the less so (Oolong Tea, Single Malt Whiskey). The one thing they have in common is they’re all good. Fran’s also has candied ginger and whole apricots dipped in dark chocolate, and some apparently amazing whole figs, filled with ganache and then dipped in chocolate— they are featured on the Cooking Channel. [Another admission— I haven’t tried them, though I would love to. At $46 for eight, I really can’t afford them.]

Everything else I’ve mentioned, though, I have had, and loved. I go to the shop at University Village in Seattle, where (at least when we’re not under Covid-19 lockdown) a caramel sample is often offered, and you can sit and have a (really rich, really good) cup of hot chocolate while watching the crowds at the Apple Store across the street.

Highly...

Update: Ran in for a special Mother's Day gift remembering that they carry beautiful Japanese wood boxes to package the chocolate in. The truffles that I selected didn't quite fit perfectly so the staff worked very diligently to find the perfect workaround. Packaged quickly and had me out the door.

Wonderful shopping experience. Truly excellent products -- salted caramels and their nuts-in-chocolate collection of Bars (the Park Bar with peanuts is a friend's favorite: the Macadamia Gold Bar is mine) and rich, thick drinking chocolate made in house by the baristas at the counter.

Perfect Valentine's Day gifts bc packaging is so beautifully done. They have a new Asian-based truffle selection (matcha, black sesame, etc.) that I will have to try at some point, dried apricots in chocolate, and more adventurous chocolate experiences are available...but it's hard not to return for the favorites that we have.

Pricing is not low; this isn't the most affordable chocolates. I can only say they are flavor-forward without being too sugary/not overly sweet: a grown ups chocolate store.

Service is always friendly and attentive, and we were offered a complimentary chocolate for coming by.

Friend picked up half a dozen Park Bars to fly...

James deserves a raise! From the moment we walked in he was impressively attentive. I wish I could give him 10 stars! He immediately offered us samples and neatly wrapped the chocolates we picked out but the thing that stood out the most was what happened after the sale. He had heard the light clinking of glasses in our tote bag and anticipated our needs asking if we were headed to Rachel's a couple of doors down to refill our ginger beers. We were and he offered us tissue paper for in between the bottles so they wouldn't clink. Incredible. Nearly brought me to tears, I was so impressed. I wish there had been an option to tip him because he goes above and beyond. Not only does he know his product well but he is deeply aware of his surroundings, including his neighbors at the University Village....