Long before chocolate bars, even before Columbus found the New World, people began their own love affair with the cacao bean. Learn to appreciate chocolate’s sophisticated subtleties with its

unique flavor notes that will surely captivate your palate….discover the art of chocolate.

The Chocolate Walk

Start your chocolate walk with dessert at the Chocollage Bakery in downtown Norfolk. A family owned bakery offers everything chocolate from cakes,

brownies to “skor” bars.

Journey through Norfolk and experience a trans-formation of the palate on a Norfolk Food Tour. Listen to the staff discuss the culinary creations and history of the establishment. In between locations, gather an insight into the history of Norfolk by vis-iting multiple landmarks, uncover the city’s secrets, and discover the local favorites.

Discover over 20 local artists and their studios with a guided tour of d’ART Center in Norfolk’s NEON arts district. The d’ART Center is an environment

where working artists are a part of an interactive arts community that engages the public through the experience of art and the creative process

Stroll down Colley Avenue in Historic Ghent for some great chocolate finds. Stop in Le Marche, a French store offering the finest French items from antiques, gifts and French chocolate. Experience the sweetest spot in Norfolk, The Bonbonnier, an old-fashioned candy and bake shop. Take home a few handmade confections, everything from bour-bon balls to cherry bombs, chocolate goodies, and chocolate goodies sure to please every palate.

Then it is time to put your feet up and relax after all this walking in one of Norfolk’s many spa’s enjoy-ing a chocolate massage or facial. It takes a lot to look so good while eating chocolate!

Stop for ice cream with a famous waffle cone from Doumar’s. This drive-in is where Abe Doumar invented the cone by taking a waffle and rolling it into a cone, to which he added ice cream. You can delight in fresh made cones from the original ma-chine with advanced notice. Don’t forget to order the homemade chocolate ice cream to top off your cone!

Enjoy dinner at one of the many locally owned restaurants on Colley Avenue. Luna Maya is a South American restaurant that offers an authentic Mexican menu with a dessert to die for... try the

Torta De Chocolate—a rich, flourless Belgian dark chocolate. Top it off by sipping chocolate craft beer at Norfolk’s Tap House and Grill.

For the aspiring chef, try a cooking class at the Culinary Arts Institute with Casual Gourmet. Class-es include summer wine pairings, pies, French cuisine, and so many more classes! You will cook enough for a complete dinner! You will cook enough for a complete dinner. Chef instructors will design a custom culinary experience from groups of 10-60 guests. So whether you want to create memories with friends, or build camarade-rie amongst colleagues, Casual Gourmet offers a unique and memorable experience.

Sleep off all that chocolate and enjoy a leisurely morning in bed. Then it is time for a chocolate inspired brunch menu aboard the Spirit of Norfolk

with chocolate pancakes and other fabulous items. Cruise along the Elizabeth River with great food, live entertainment, and chocolate!! Do not miss out on their famous chocolate martinis, it is 5 o’clock somewhere!

Shopping, Lunch and a Chocolate Tour! Stroll through over 150 shops and restaurants in MacAr-thur Center. This downtown mall offers a self-guid-ed chocolate tour through many of their retailers including Dillard’s spa and William-Sonoma.

Melissa HopperVisitNorfolk

mhopper@visitnorfolktoday.com800.368.3097

For more detailsplease contact:

NORFOLK FOOD TOUR

HISTORIC GHENT

NEON DISTRICT

SPIRIT OF NORFOLK

MACARTHUR CENTER

NORFOLK BOTANICALGARDEN

EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

Do not forget along your chocolate journey to be on the look-out for one of Norfolk’s food trucks. Twisted Sisters Cupcakes is a pink food truck offering cupcakes of all flavors.

Take the class “Cooking with Herbs” at Norfolk Botanical Gar-den. Learn how you can grow herbs right in your own garden that add the perfect touch to any chocolate desert. End your day with a boat or tram tour through over 30 themed gardens. Or, if you need to burn off a few of those calories added on by chocolate, enjoy a walk through 12 miles of hiking path.

End the night with dinner at Todd Jurich’s Bistro, where you will discover a unique dining experience in upscale dining — casu-al elegance. Todd Zurich’s Bistro is known for the sensational Valhrona Dark Chocolate Molten Cake. Or Vintage Kitchen, an elegant setting with award-winning modern cuisine, using the freshest local and regional produce in season. Owner and Chef Phillip Craig Thomason studied in France at the revered Le Cordon Bleu and worked at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. One of the chocolate stars on his dessert menu is Mocha Crème Brulee.

Before you head home pick up some coffee at Cure Coffeehouse and Brasserie. Located in the heart of the historic Freemason District, this coffeehouse is famous for their homemade desserts and latte art that is almost to pretty too drink! Enjoy a tasty treat

as you take a stroll along the cobblestone streets.

(Chocolate Walk)