CocoLove is a clean, brightly decorated chocolate and tea shop on a side street in Jackson, Wyoming. My husband and I were wandering around the streets of Jackson in the fading light, after having been driving all day, then having accidentally gone to a football bar for dinner. We needed to walk and I had said I would like some chocolate. Then, he spotted the chocolate shop, which just goes to prove how much he loves me, because I would have gone the other way and he would have more money in his pocket right now.
However, he led me in like a child into Disneyland. I was entranced. I chose something in the first set of shelves, then he said, “but have you seen these?” So, I chose something from the second set, until he said, “did you look over here?” And so it went for about 6 displays inside the chocolate cafe. For a man who would rather have a beer than a piece of chocolate, this was endearing. (click on any photo to enlarge)
The printed descriptions were poetic. The presentations were artistic masterpieces. The prices would cover a deli lunch meal, but they really looked like they tasted good! Realize when I say this that I spent a few months going into chocolate shops in Taipei, trying what looked like good chocolates. I think I developed an ability to recognize what is just impressive art that lacks good flavor. It’s like some sort of bionic chocolate sensor wherein I scan the offerings and notice nearly imperceptible color and form nuances that indicate lesser taste. Or maybe I just learned that in Taipei nearly no one has really learned to make good chocolate yet. Either way, I was very hopeful about trying something at CocoLove.
I finally settled on– well let me show you a photo.
Every. Single. Bite. was pure bliss. Not too rich, nor too sweet. Melt in the mouth, but taking long enough to let the taste buds gather all the necessary information. Dear husband even helped by eating half of it as we sat on their cushy chairs at a small, square table. When we were done, I wanted more but I didn’t. This is an odd thing. Somehow it was the perfect size for after our dinner. I wasn’t stuffed, but my palette was immeasurably happy. I thought I might float back to the hotel.
The shop is an extension of the original shop, also in Jackson, Wyoming, that is called Atelier Ortega. All the chocolates are made right in Jackson. The story of the chef who runs them is interesting. The one thing missing from the telling is why he picked Jackson. It is a small town, tucked into the Tetons. And he is from Mexico.
Regardless of why he chose Jackson, it really needs to be a destination now (as of 2004, when he opened his shop) for everyone who appreciates world class chocolates. If someone you love likes chocolate, a trip to Jackson for the sole purpose of enjoying a few things in this shop would be a very memorable excursion. Just 7 hours from Boise, Idaho, it is a reasonable weekend get-a-way for anyone in that radius. If you are farther away than that, try to figure something out because you need to eat some of this chocolate!
55 N. Glenwood, Jackson, Wyoming 307-733-3253
