Dandelion Chocolate
Iced Mocha – Ritual Roasters Double Espresso, Dandelion Chocolate Milk, Ice with Chocolate Chip Sable
Nibby Horchata – Rice, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Cocoa Nibs, Cinnamon, Ice with Chocolate Chip Sable
Dandelion Chocolate Chip Cookie – 70% Camino Verde Chocolate Chips
Oatmeal Cookie – Almond Flour, Dried Cranberries, Coconut, Cocoa Nibs, Chocolate Chips
S’more – Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker, Marshmallow, Chocolate Ganache, Maldon Salt
Camino Verde Chocolate Canele
Cocoa Nib Scone – Cocoa Nibs, Chocolate Chips, Black Cherry
Brown Butter Blondie – Walnuts, Miso, Cocoa Nibs, Chocolate Chips
European Drinking Chocolate – Housemade Marshmallows with Chocolate Chip Sable
2017 Harvest 70% Gola Rainforest Dark Chocolate / Black Sesame Seed Toffee Brittle
Two Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup
Established in San Francisco early 2010, and since expanded across the Bay and to Japan, Dandelion Chocolate debuted inside The Venetian on 12/7/19, and although oddly placed in “The Grand Canal Shoppes” (but technically adjacent Check-in) the store is everything fans have learned to love.
Self-defined as a “small-batch Bean-to-Bar craft Chocolate maker,” Dandelion Chocolate is the result of a lifetime love of Cocoa by owners Todd Masonis and Cameron Ring , partners who got an opportunity to pursue their passion after selling a tech startup called Plaxo to Comcast for a rumored sum of nearly $200 million in 2008.
Started in a garage, but now operating out of a factory in The Mission where Dandelion workers roast, winnow, grind and temper small batches of responsibly-sourced Beans before molding and packaging each bar by hand, it is inside the ground-floor boutique that guests will find a variety of treats and Beverages, Sin City’s first source of Ritual Roasters Coffee another feather in Dandelion’s cap.
Featuring a highly educated staff led by General Manager Adrian Danciu, his training in San Francisco evidenced by an extensive knowledge of Dandelion Chocolate’s history and process, it is from small cups that guests are invited to try samples ranging from Costa Rica to Sierra Leone, subtle notes of Fruit found amidst the former while bright Cinnamon notes present early from the Gola Rainforest Beans.
Open from 6:00am until 9:00pm, and offering varied seating options plus the Resort’s free Wi-Fi for those looking to stay and indulge, Drinks include everything from Black Coffee to thick European Drinking Chocolate with Housemade Marshmallows, or a dazzling Iced Mocha for those who want a little of both.
Also offering refined Horchata, arguably Vegas’ best even before adding cracked Nibs, every Drink comes with a bite-size Chocolate Chip Sable, though it is only a ere glimpse of the quality found inside Dandelion’s Chocolate Chip Cookie featuring 70% Camino Verde Chocolate or the Gluten-free Oatmeal round made of Almond Flour and packed with Cocoa, Coconut and Dried Cranberries.
Transparent in their process, Hexx’s team having spent time learning at the San Francisco factory before opening locally at Paris Hotel and Casino, it is currently from a commissary kitchen that Dandelion Chocolate produces its Pastries, but even midday on a weekend it would be hard to find any fault in the fluffy Cocoa Nib Scone or Brown Butter Blondie with Walnuts, Chocolate and the subtle saltiness of Miso.
Surprised to see Canelé, a rarity in Sin City that Dandelion makes fudgy at its Custard-like center, those looking for added decadence should not pass-up a S’more that is torched-to-order, the Honey Cinnamon Graham Cracker standing up to browned Marshmallow, Chocolate Ganache and a dash of Maldon Salt.
Collaborating with other artisans on Truffles, Brigadeiros and Caramels, if one asks nicely enough a sample of most items can be provided, and for guests looking to take something home the biggest question is “which Bar?” and whether the Two Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup or Black Sesame Seed Toffee Brittle is better – though it’s probably wise to get both.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS: Undoubtedly Las Vegas’ most pricey Chocolatier, Dandelion Chocolate’s Bars are a premium product made for discerning palates, but by offering free samples plus a bevy of Pastries and Beverages the boutique inside The Venetian is everything one might want – presuming they can find it.
RECOMMENDED: Nibby Horchata, Oatmeal Cookie, S’more, Brown Butter Blondie, 2017 Harvest 70% Gola Rainforest Dark Chocolate, Black Sesame Seed Toffee Brittle.
AVOID: Purists will complain that the Canelé’s shell is not quite crisp enough, but this undoubtedly results from the Cocoa. Those looking for the sweetness of Reese’s should also probably opt-out on the Two Ingredient Peanut Butter Cup since there is no sugar added, as the name suggests.
TIP: “Suite 101” is listed by The Venetian as part of their “Grand Canal Shoppes” but to find Dandelion from self parking or the front door just head towards the check-in and keep looking left.
WHAT THE STARS MEAN: 5 World Class, 4 Excellent, 3 Good, 2 Fair, 1 Poor.
www.dandelionchocolate.com
