Escazu Serves Up Handmade Raleigh Chocolates

Chocolatier Hal Parson was making chocolate bars in Beaufort, North Carolina before venturing to Costa Rica and Venezula.  A couple of years later, he has returned to Raleigh’s Glenwood South with a Chocolate Bar that looks to add a bit more daytime activity to the night friendly strip.  And with handcrafted chocolates made from organic chocolate from Latin America, Escazu will add a bit more international culture to downtown as well. 

Escazu is named after a city in Costa Rica

where some of the chocolate that Hal uses in making his chocolate comes from

.  He imports chocolate from Venezula and looks to highlight various Latin American flavors that are not as common in the Triangle area.  As a plus, the cocoa is organic and much of it is made from over 60-70% cocoa, meaning it does have some positive health implications (high in fiber, etc.). 

The bar is located across from Bistro 607 on the northern end of Glenwood South, between the new bar Haven and a soon to open hookah bar called Casa Blanca.  The building is an older, quant bungalow similar to the ones across the street.  Needing lots of work on the interior, Parson took it upon himself to redo the space.  It now has a minimal island theme, with almost a tiki bar feel. The front space includes a small bench and table situated by the front window and light hardwood floors.  This is a nice space for relaxing and enoying chocolates with a firend on a sunny afternoon. 

In the back is a small counter with a spread of handmade delights including truffles and chocolates with various feelings and nuts. 

Most, if not All of the single chocolates are made on sight by a couple of staff

Hal and his girlfriend and her mother help him wrap the bars.  Surrounding the counter on the wall is a large selection of chocolate bars from the popular Beaufort Bar with Sea Salt, the Single Origin Chocolate with Chipotle, Chili and Vanilla, to one with Organic Bananas.  The sea salt bar was very tasty and satisfying but it was a couple of the single chocolates that had a taste that stayed in my pallet while walking home in the drizzling rain.  One chocolate had coconut and curry and another was a fudge/almond mix.  Very flavorful and definitely a great option for a small but sweet gift for Valentine’s Day.

Between The Cupcake Shoppe, Escazu, and soon to open Locopops, Downtown Raleigh should have great options for spring and summer desserts.

Click here to order or visit the bar for taste of Latin America via Downtown Raleigh.  Also, Whole Foods has recently picked up Escazu chocolate bars, so check their shelves soon.

Escazu Artisan Chocolates
Hal Parson
Chocolatier

610 Glenwood Ave
919.832.3433