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Cocoa Bar

3.5 star rating
based on 52 reviews

Categories: Desserts, Wine Bars  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Lower East Side
21 Clinton St
(between Avenue B & Houston St)
New York, NY 10002
(212) 677-7417
Nearest Transit:

Delancey-Essex Sts (F, J, M, Z)

Good for Groups:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Price Range:
$$
Wheelchair Accessible:
No
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Tue, Wed, Sun
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Beer & Wine Only
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
Upcoming Event Nearby

Cellar 58

Category:
Wine Bars
Neighborhood:
East Village
4-Course Valentine Prix-Fixe - $38!

Celebrate Valentine's Day with us on Feb. 14th with our four-course prix-fixe menu: $69/couple, $38/person. Call for reservations!

52 reviews for Cocoa Bar

Review Highlights   

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"The ambience is lovely and the hot chocolate amazing (try mint." (in 19 reviews)
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"There's free wi-fi and decent seating options." (in 9 reviews)
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"Baking Company, we only got coffee drinks." (in 4 reviews)
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Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites'
Photo of cherry w.

 

31

95

cherry w.

New York, NY

5 star rating
1/22/2010

5 stars because of the:

1. Spicy Hot Chocolate
2. Good service
3. Free WIFI
4. Tea infused with chocolate bits
5. Convenience from my place.

:)

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Photo of Joleen Z.

Elite '10

213

195

Joleen Z.

New York, NY

3 star rating
1/20/2010

Coffee.Chocolate.Wine. ::break into song::: "Oh, these are a few of my favorite thingggsss!"

Really, I love this little place on Clinton Street. If Schiller's is looking more like Gymboree than a respectable adult haven, I head to Cocoa Bar. A dessert den it is not--respectable wine selection, although mark-up is a bit high on some bottles, but any clean, laid-back cafe that has a wine list AND free wi-fi (hard to find!) I am all for. Nothing like ordering a bottle and wasting the day away while on deadline.

If you're going the java route, they have a small bites menu, nothing extravagent and a case full of delicious desserts that I believe are made in-house.

Tea selection is amazing. Huge selection of teas if you are in the mood for that, but really unless I want to be a 0 calorie diva for the day, I'm going for the wine or the more drastic caffeine option. But if you're into tea, this is a great place.

Again, FREE WI-FI! Lots of chocolate desserts! Yum!

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Photo of Adam W.

 

0

11

Adam W.

Scarsdale, NY

5 star rating
1/16/2010

STAFF MEMBER RESPONSE TO ANNI B AKA DIVALICIOUS ...

I've seen some people post pretty obnoxious things on this site, but Ms. Divalicous seems to take the cake.

First, the bathroom is big and spacious because it's HANDICAPPED accessible.

Second, some people have absolutely no capability of spacial logic ie. "Anni B" ... all drink specials were served in large plastic cups that are normally used for 16 oz drinks.

My coworker and I had premeasured the appropriate amount of wine in a standard red wine glass as well as the appropriate amount in a standard white wine glass.  When transferred from glass to plastic cup the serving size looks small, but that's only due to scale.

Every glass of wine served that night was, at minimum, what a standard glass should be.  With most glasses though, we OVER POURED because we didn't want to appear cheap.  

In the future, maybe this should be explained so stingy people don't feel cheated.

The event was otherwise spectacular, the writers and readers were a gracious and talented crowd and we were happy to cater to them.  It's also worth mentioning that we don't charge a cover NOR do we have a drink minimum.

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Photo of Jen W.

Elite '10

54

292

Jen W.

Flushing, NY

2 star rating
1/24/2010

I can't really lie and say that I like this place. Sorry I just can't.

There was a huge line of people trying to get into the show next door, which blocked the doorway in. I guess the owner inside was getting annoyed at this. People randomly opening the door and using his bathroom, yes they did. The bathroom was spacious and the ceiling was open to the attic of some sorts. OK its already dark in there and that did creep me out a bit.

Wine was ok, though it would have been cheaper to just order a bottle than glass. Beer comes in a bottle, can't go wrong with that. My latte however, wasn't that great. burned and tasted like crappy dollar coffee. sigh.

service was a bit lacking. i suppose the waitress was new she seemed a bit frazzled, so i won't rip on her for that. she was one person covering the entire place, which was dark as hell! I had to get the sugar from the table next to me.

Music selection, kept changing randomly. It was odd to say the least. And the volume would fluctuate. Some random guy just ran behind the counter to change the music. go figure.

I'm sure its better on a different day, just not the night I went.

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Photo of anni b.

Elite '10

9

240

anni b.

Brooklyn, NY

3 star rating
1/8/2010

I came here to participate in a reading series that was being hosted here.  Generally, it is not a good venue for this purpose.  It is way too small - teeny tiny.  We were cramped in there like sardines.  And annoyingly, when I went to the bathroom, it's all spacious and huge in there.  Bad design there.

The happy hour wine was good, and at $4, couldn't complain - until I saw the size of it.  Probably about 2 fluid ounces.  Then the second one ordered, same price paid, double the size.  I had a feeling the staff didn't really care or want us there.

Apparently the hot chocolate is great but that's not something that I do, so I'm not sure this place really serves a purpose in my life.

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Photo of Jeffrey Y.

Elite '10

10

190

Jeffrey Y.

Rego Park, NY

3 star rating
1/21/2010

Cute chocolate shop/ wine bar. Very interesting selection of teas with chocolate bits in them. Free Wi-Fi albeit sluggish though after a few glasses of wine, you'll be just as slow. I was thrown off a bit when i walked into the bathroom and it smelled like cookies but it's just the cinnamon scented candle.

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Photo of Kim H.

 

0

8

Kim H.

New York, NY

3 star rating
1/31/2010

The place was a little cramped, but cozy.  I ordered the milk chocolate hot chocolate - not on the menu, but they said they could make it.  It was DELICIOUS!  It was served pretty hot and I should have let it cool a bit.    I was a bit overanxious with my first sip and scorched my tongue a bit.  The counter service was somewhere indifferent to annoyed.  It seemed like my ordering something was a bit of an inconvenience to them.  But damn, it was some good hot chocolate!

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Photo of Demitasse E.

 

8

133

Demitasse E.

New York, NY

4 star rating
1/2/2010

I came for a late-night choco fix and found it a nice place to do dessert.  A couple of friends and I each picked a different option and they were all fantastic, so I doubt there's much to find fault with here.  The hard part was picking *what* to get, since everything is very very rich, even the hot chocolate.
Although it was late at night and dim lighting was expected, I'd (nicely) suggest they turn up the lights just a liiitttle bit.  I could tell our desserts were very artfully presented, but it was kind of hard to see and therefore actually appreciate them as much as we could have.  Maybe they are trying to dissuade the overeager food photogs?  (Because if that's really the purpose, then I totally approve.)

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Photo of Cara A.

Elite '10

257

208

Cara A.

New York, NY

4 star rating
10/27/2009

Wine + chocolate.
What more need I say?
Take me here and win me over forever. Or at least for the night.

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Photo of Meredith F.

Elite '10

39

246

Meredith F.

Jamaica, NY

5 star rating
11/22/2009

I walked by this place and saw this on the sign: coffee, chocolate, and wine.  'Nuff said.

Since my friends and I were waiting for a table at Clinton St. Baking Company, we only got coffee drinks.  My cinnamon "chocolatte" was dark chocolate-coffee-creamy goodness.  The baked goods and chocolates looked mouth-watering, and I plan on trying some next time I come back!

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Photo of Nuri K.

 

25

209

Nuri K.

Berkeley, CA

3 star rating
11/12/2009

My opinions of Cocoa Bar seesaw back and forth between pros and cons. I guess that's why I'm placing my star assessment at the fulcrum of all the hemming and hawing: If i can't decide whether I like it or dislike it, it's a three-star (meh).

The drawbacks of this coffee house are the price and the basic fact that the coffee drinks are much too sweet and milky. I paid more than $5 for a small iced chai latte and could only finish about half because it was so heavy and cloying by the end. Nice spicing, though.

The pros are the lovely delectables (concoctions like banana and pb&j truffles), the cute lil' employees and the fact that it kills some much-needed time while you are waitlisted for a table at Clinton Street Baking Company. And that'll do.

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Photo of Hayley J.

 

0

2

Hayley J.

Manhattan, NY

4 star rating
1/14/2010

Needed a place with a great ambience and something warm and non-caffeinated to work on my GMAT studying later one evening.  I found this place on YELP and decided to check it out.

Very happy with my decision.

Went on a Thursday night, around 9pm.  It looks like a bar, and seemed very dimly lit from the outside, so I didn't think I'd be able to get any work done there, but I was pleasantly surprised when I went in that there were many people on their laptops or with books at the well-lit bar.  There are tables too, which would be great for conversation.

I asked for a suggestion from the bartender, who steered me toward the mint hot chocolate.  He waited until I had some, and then poured in the extra to re-fill my cup.  Later, he gave me a taster cup of some cinnamon cocoa he'd prepared for someone else.  I'm glad I went with the mint.

I had a tomato and fresh mozzarella sandwich which was very simple, but tasty nonetheless.

Finally, the bartender seemed to know half of the clientele, which made it feel very cozy and neighborhood-y, and when some of them were talking, they included us non-regulars in the conversation.

All-in-all, great experience, great ambience, great hot chocolate, and limited but good food choice.  I will be making this one of my go-to spots.

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Photo of Melody H.

Elite '10

96

230

Melody H.

New York, NY

5 star rating
9/12/2009

Sometimes the music here is a little too loud, but $2.45 for a great vanilla soy chai latte and barristas wearing sombreros and viking helmets totally do it for me. And so I find myself here, using their free wi-fi and sipping my delicious drink on a drizzly, otherwise gloomy day... surrounded by free chocolate cookie samples and a complimentary top off. (He made too much at first, but instead of throwing it away, waited till I drank some and filled my mug!)

***edit***
Apparently, the barrista charged me incorrectly. He meant $3.25, not $2.35. I'm not complaining.

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Photo of Preethi C.

Elite '10

256

397

Preethi C.

New York, NY

4 star rating
5/15/2009

Great little coffee shop/wine bar - offers a nice selection of nibbles, wine, chocolates, and some tasty coffee drinks.  I ordered a banana nut latte here yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I liked the atmosphere - it was very conducive to reading, sitting at a computer, or having a chat with friends.

The barista was very nice, offering me a glass of water with my latte.

A pleasant, nice place that I will definitely frequent when I need a coffee shop to hang out in.  Also, seems like a nice place to go to pre-date or post-date.

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Elite '10

21

167

Jyoti H.

New York, NY

3 star rating
7/23/2009

I would give this a 2.5 stars, but the place has a nice atmosphere so I will round up to a 3.  I also like the idea of it - chocolate and wine.  Maybe I should come here later in the day and it would be better?

$6 for a 16 oz. iced chcoo-latte drink that was mostly ice? FAIL!

Maybe I should have gotten the regular choco-latte and it would have been better, but it was far too hot for a real coffee drink.  To be fair, it looked like they made it with nice chunks of chocolate and not a mix, so +1 for that, but really it wasn't any better than something I could pick up at starbucks or dunkin donuts.  

I would consider trying this place one more time, but getting a regular coffee drink to see if it measures up to its cost.  Otherwise, I don't recommend the iced drinks here.   Take your $6 somewhere else.  Like Whole foods at Bowery.

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Elite '10

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150

phong-lan h.

New York, NY

2 star rating
6/4/2009

Not impressed in regards to the hot chocolate drink.

I expected it to be rich, creamy and wanting more... perhaps the barista was not exact with measurements.  Cute concept:  wine, meeting place, with WiFi and a chocolate case that widen my eyes...  

But for the a good cocoa drink I would go to City Bakery or Marie Belle.

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Photo of Justin L.

 

1

14

Justin L.

New York, NY

3 star rating
10/24/2009

This is a cool little place for a bit of chit chat. Or maybe you just know someone who likes wine and gourmet chocolate (who doesn't, right). The hot chocolate is pretty good, the white hot chocolate is awesome. You should try a home made marshmallow too. I would not call this a coffee bar type place though. They make it, but it's at best, OK. But then, why would go to a chocolate place and get coffee? If I could give half stars, I'd give this place 3 and a half stars. Good not great, nice for some good old hot chocolate on a cold day.

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Photo of Peter H.

 

7

21

Peter H.

New York, NY

1 star rating
11/23/2008

Let me say a couple of things at the outset: first, I live upstairs in the building next door, and greeted the arrival of Cocoa Bar with open arms. Second, after giving this place chance after chance, I'm through - sad to say, but it really sucks. The lack of service and the lack of value compel me to advise you to stay away unless you just need a place to sit for a while and chill. The place is dark as hell at night though, and loud, so you can only work/study during the day.

As a chocolate lover, I feel duty bound to begin my review by proclaiming that the hot chocolate here tastes like artificial chocolate flavored water-milk. It really tastes like they just drop some old Hershey Kisses wrappers at the bottom of a cup of lukewarm milk, add some sugar, and serve it for $4.50. For a place called "Cocoa Bar," you would think they'd put some effort into their hot chocolate - and for $4+, you'd expect some quality, but you are better off getting some hot chocolate from the Dunkin Donuts on Houston. I kid you not.

With that out of the way, let me move onto Cocoa Bar's second, far more terrible bête noire: the service. Now, I am realistic about my service expectations, but the people working here know nothing about service. It's interesting that you're unlikely to ever see the same face twice there, but there are a couple of regulars. You have the kercheif-wearing hipster (weekends), the depressed artist-in-camos (random weeknights), and the older gentleman (random), who I presume to be the manager/owner.

The hipster is rude. Each time I order anything other than a drink straight up, she gets flustered. Is it that bad that I ask for skim milk or a specific syrup? Apparently. A few nights back, when I had the audacity to wait for my change, she dropped it into my hand from a height, letting coins splatter all over the counter. To her credit, she apologized, but it was disrespectful and just weird.

Depressed-artist-guy isn't much better. A few weeks back, my drink ( incidentally, Cocoa Bar gets chais very, very right - they will be missed) was watery as hell. I called depressed artist-guy over and began whispering what was wrong (so as not to alarm other customers and harm the place's rep). He snapped "I can't hear you, what are you saying?" I gleefully responded as voluably as he liked. He offered no apology and took three times as long to make my drink as usual.

The old guy/owner is very nice, I think, but a little inept. I ordered a nonfat iced chai once and received some kind of soy mocha drink from him (which had taken him an unforgivable 10 minutes to make). He should stick to the bills.

Which brings me to the issue of money. For some reason, the prices here have fluctuated virtually *every*time*I*come.*  I can say that I've probably never paid the same amount for the same drink more than on one or two occasions. Want a chai? Expect to pay between $3 and $6. A cappuccino? Same range. Who knows what their logic is?

The coffee is LES-serviceable, meaning it's decent coffee for the neighborhood, though of course, woefully overpriced and served with something approaching a half-scowl. The chocolate itself is decent, but absolutely nowhere near worth what they charge. If you want good chocolate, do yourselves a favor, take the F to Rockefeller Center and go to La Maison. At least you'll get what you pay for.

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Photo of Juliet H.

 

0

42

Juliet H.

New York, NY

2 star rating
Updated - 4/20/2009

sadly, I have to amend my review.  I've been in there three times in the last few weeks, and each time the young dudes working there have the screeching music pumped up to a really annoying level for an enclosed space and even folks wearing their BOSE were packing it up to go elsewhere.

It was just silly and no one could talk, read or work on their laptop - which I think is expected for a coffee bar, right?

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 5 star rating
    8/2/2008

    I went in thinking I'd be there for 20 minutes and ended up staying 2 hours!  I had dark choc. cocoa… Read more »

Photo of David S.

 

3

23

David S.

Long Island City, NY

5 star rating
4/11/2009

This is one of my favorite spots in all of New York and I try to take people here whenever I get a chance.

I discovered this place by accident one night when I first moved to New York. I was wandering around the LES looking for coffee and someone pointed me to Cocoa bar. I decided I would give it a shot. After trying their Funky Monkey, I decided it was the best coffee/ hot chocolate drink I had ever had.

Two to three months later: I've been living in NYC now and am getting used to the scene more. Now things aren't quite as amazing as they were when I first got here so I begin to doubt that Cocoa Bar was really that good. I think "Yeah, it was probably just because you were new in town and thought EVERYTHING was amazing." So...I decide to go back again.

I drink one sip of the Funky Monkey again and am sent to chocolate heaven. It's then that I realize that it wasn't because I was a naive new person, it's just actually that good. Cocoa bar doesn't use powders or chocolate syrups, they melt real chocolate into the drinks, and that's what makes the difference. My friend talked up Max Brenner a lot and I don't think their hot chocolate even comes close. And Starbucks? After going to Cocoa Bar I think they should be ashamed to charge $4-5 for a coffee drink.

Go here with an open mind and remember: You have to taste it in order to believe.

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Photo of Jack N.

Elite '10

87

288

Jack N.

Long Island City, NY

4 star rating
1/20/2009

Perfect spot to chill while waiting for Clinton St. Baking Company

My gf spotted this place when she was walking to Clinton St. Baking Company. Thanks to the wait times that is probably worse than any subway in the midnight hours on weekend and outdoor temperature that can turn your cofee into a popsicle, we're glad to stop by here for a hot cocoa while we waited for Clinton St. Baking Company

If the amount of people in Clinton St can be described as a "sea of humanity", Cocoa bar has maybe a couple of drops. When we got there, the place is virtually empty. That's really a good thing (especially when we will have to deal with the crowds in Clinton St later). We first ordered a Funky Monkey but it turns out they ran out of bananas (I think Clinton St. brought them all for their banana walnut pancakes), so we got a dark chocolate cocoa and a mint chocolate cocoa. The dark chocolate is mouth burning hot, but not so hot that I couldn't drink after a few minutes. The glasses they serve the hot cocoa in is plain sexy. Its a thick concave glass (gotta ask my gf to put up the pics of these glasses) and just looks gorgeous with the foamy cocoa top.

We later came back (after Clinton St) and got a hazelnut chocolate to go. It was okay. There is like a thin layer of brown sugar inside. Kinda makes the chocolate a little crunchy, but not what I was expecting.

Come for the cocoa, but most likely, you will be coming here because its too cold (winter) or too boring (summer) to wait @ Clinton St Baking Company.

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Photo of Jasmin G.

Elite '10

79

431

Jasmin G.

New York, NY

5 star rating
2/20/2009

this place is great!  I got a hot dark chocolate with skim milk and one of their patties, i think i got the one called a moo-moo which is basically a dark chocolate covered graham cracker, marshmallow, caramel smore.  

The chocolate here is good and the vibe at night resembled a chilled out wine bar.  Was quiet around 8 when we were there but filled up around 10/1030 when we left - great post-dinner date spot.  

i'll be here again for sure.  They also have cocktails and wine.

I gave it -1 for no reason really..it's really very nice..hrm..

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Photo of jamie N.

Elite '10

17

97

jamie N.

New York, NY

3 star rating
1/21/2009

They have good chocolattes (pretty much a mocha).  It's pretty rich, but tasty...a large will set you back $5.25.  I usually go with the dark chocolate option, but they have several options of chocolate.  This is a good place to go during the day, but it's pretty dim at night for reading purposes and it converts to be more of a wine bar.

There's free wi-fi and decent seating options.  I've had the chocolate chip cookie and it wasn't very good...kind of hard.

There's a nice menswear shop that has great wovens from brands like zegna and armani, but also has their own wovens.  They also have great sales.

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833

Tim L.

Astoria, NY

3 star rating
1/2/2009

The service is a bit on the slow side and the night I came here with friends it was staffed by the owner.

Although a nice and friendly fellow it just seemed like he didn't know his own menu. It really did seem like one of those situations where the regular staff couldn't work so here comes the owner (who is normally very hands off) to save/ruin the day.

He brought the wrong order to the table and also charged for the Jalapeno chocolate gelato and brownie separately despite it being listed as a single dessert item.  Not to mention didn't seem to know how to put that dessert together.

I must say though that I did enjoy my flourless chocolate cake very much. It was very dense and rich but not overly sweet. The value here is a bit questionable. Pricing on other things are relatively steep.  At night it is super dark and despite having a light in the bathroom, it feels like you're peeing in a cave.

I did see some couples in here enjoying the darkness, so perhaps if you were to go on a hot date this might be a place to cozy up with each other over some chocoholic delight.

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2

31

Brian G.

New York, NY

4 star rating
6/24/2008

I am completely biased in my review of this place. I preface further writing with the following:

1. I like good wine
2. I like beautiful women
3. I, on occasion, have been known to like chocolate

Regardless of season, this place has served me with incredible nights based on random events that invariably involve a pit-stop at Cocoa Bar.  In the winter, nothing hits the spot more than a hot chocolate and homemade marshmallow.  In the warmer months, a cool glass of riesling with a small truffle hits your epicurian g-spot.

I have never been a day-patron, so I can't speak for the majority of business hours, but at night is when this place gets going and the chocolate really starts to melt (sorry, had to be corny).  The atmosphere is extremely warm and sultry, just as the name suggests, and the playlist is always incredible.  The clientele is mixed but always cool with an almost "anything goes" attitude.

This is a perfect lounge for a chill-out segment of your night, be it with friends or your date.  Enjoy!

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155

251

K T B.

New York, NY

4 star rating
4/10/2009

Chocolate + Wine + Free Wi-Fi = I will go all the way over to Avenue B even though I am not a fan of the LES.  Seriously!  I've been here once and had a fabulous time so I'll be back.  Fuller review in time.

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382

Chun L.

New York, NY

4 star rating
2/16/2008

The concept of Wine & Chocolate alone should lure any Willy Wonka enthusiast to this location.

Cocoa Bar is a simple yet posh place for a variety of chocolate (ie: Dark, Milk, Truffle Cookies, Etc..) and base complexity wines.  The offerings that are served by Cocoa Bar range from bite size chocolate samples from lighter / sweeter chocolate (such as Milk) to more enhanced and bitter sweet bites (ie: 85% cocoa).  Another notable at Cocoa Bar is their Raspberry Chocolate Cake.  Accompany any of the above mentioned with a glass of either Chardonnay or Cabernet, and you're set for a fun night!  Just remember to bring the insulin...

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110

88

Shawn S.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
5/8/2007

We weren't aiming for this place, but it was fairly crowded when we walked by, and... well... chocolate calls.

Our server handed us two menus - one for chocolate edibles and one for drinks - and that kind of summed up the Cocoa Bar experience for me. They seemed determined to keep the twain (chocolate and drinks) from meeting.

Most of the wines on the list are things you would never dream of pairing with chocolate, and the list of appropriate pairings (of wines or anything else) was surprisingly lacking. Only one cabernet? And where was the schnapps? The Bailey's? The coffee spiked with... well... any of the spirits that taste good in coffee?

The edibles menu was good but not great. We enjoyed a small selection of truffles and bon bons (especially something called, I think, spice espice). But the most exciting thing on the menu - a flourless chocolate cake - was sold out.

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7

20

Jessica R.

New York, NY

5 star rating
12/16/2007

What fun concept.  Pairing wine with chocolate.  I completely loved sittign at the bar sipping on my spicy Syrah and having their spicy habanero bon bon.

I will definitely go back especially for their specials...buy one bottle of wine get another free on Tuesday!??! love it.

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6

230

Formicas ..

New York, NY

3 star rating
1/7/2008

Fun and hip spot.  We always eat chocolate at home when we drink wine.  Now we can do so when we go out too.  Oddly enough we did not order wine but rather opted for their chocolate drinks.  Seriously disappointed though because they were "out of" so many things on the menu that I didn't really get what I went in for.  
I will go back for the spiced chocolate and take my laptop so I can get in some net surfing while I am there.  
We loved the homemade marshmallow - yummy!
I also loved the spicy chocolate truffle :)

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277

Linda B.

Oakland, CA

1 star rating
5/25/2007

We went there at 7 pm on Thursday night, looking to get a drink before the play started at The Living Theatre next door.  We sat there for 15 minutes while the only guy working there came to us.  There was one table with two people, and while we perused the menu of drinks, another couple showed up.  He took our drink orders, and then disappeared.

Turns out he was taking orders from anybody who walked in, but never filling them.  By 7:45 we still didn't have our drinks, and he wasn't making any.  When I got up to ask him, telling him we had to leave for the theatre in a matter of minutes, he replied that he was only one person and he was working as fast as he could.

We cancelled our order and left.  Not recommended.

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288

Jewel Y.

New York, NY

4 star rating
4/10/2009

A hip little cafe bar with good hot chocolate! It's a great place to chill out and enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate or coffee! They offer a variety of  hot chocolate ranging from dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cinnamon flavor, spicy, etc. I recommend spicy hot chocolate! The ambiance is chic, urban, and dark, and yet relaxed. I'll definitely come back!

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Photo of Jonathan G.

Elite '10

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180

Jonathan G.

Brooklyn, NY

4 star rating
7/13/2008

Great place to relax on a hot day or a cold day while touring the LES.  They have a nice selection of chocolates and a small assortment of cookies, scones, etc., but it seems that everyone comes in for a beverage and the free wi-fi.  Some days you will see about ten laptops going at a time.  There are about six to eight seats at the coffee bar and then around ten small tables with two chairs, but there is still not always a seat.

Everyone behind the counter is great.  I don't drink coffee flavored anything, but my friends have raved about the iced lattes.  I get the iced tea in the summer and it is unsweetened with a hint of chocolate which makes it really nice.  They also have a good selection of teas, as well as wine and beer.

Only disappointment was trying an iced chocolate.  I was expecting basically a candy bar in a plastic cup and it was more like a chocolate milk.  Going to wait it out for hot chocolate season and try it again.  If you need a quick drink and a quick email check, take a seat at Cocoa Bar.

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44

Natasha L.

New York, NY

4 star rating
2/6/2009

i think this is my new favorite spot just around the corner from my new apartment. i came down to get a hot drink while getting some work done on my laptop. (Stopped in for a chocolate croissant a few days ago and saw that they had free wifi..which is super fast btw)

Loved the ambience there, good music in the background. The white chocolate drink I ordered (made with real chunks of chocolate!) was perfect for the icy weather - warm, flavorful, and not overly sweet. They have a decent selection of pastries and chocolates, perfect for my sweet tooth...

I sat at the bar counter since that was where I could plug in my computer, and got to observe everything happening. Everyone working there was warm and friendly, and seemed to know most of the customers who came in. I'll definitely be back often to check out the chocolates and wine selection.

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Photo of Grace S.

Elite '10

55

153

Grace S.

New York, NY

4 star rating
1/21/2008

Yum! This cute and cozy little joint rocks. I came here after brunch at Clinton Street Baking and the place was filled with readers, writers, and Apple laptops.

The barista crafted each chocolate drink order with the utmost attention and care, and chose not to cut any corners to gain efficiencies regardless of the wait. He'd peel the wrapper off a new bar of chocolate and heat a new tin of milk for each order.

My fave chocolate flavors here are Funky Monkey [Banana & Chocolate] and Cinnamon. I only wish they had a location that was closer.

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23

106

Miss H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
7/8/2007 4 photos

We wandered here while we were waiting for our table at nearby Clinton's bakery.  There was no wait and a great place to relax rather than waiting outside in the sweltering heat.

The GOOD:
-Coffee - the baristas here take the time grinding/tampering the beans
-Great mellow music: jazz-ish oldies
-Free Wifi
-Roomy counter to spread out and read the paper

It's a bit out of the way for me, but I would come back again just to hang out and do work/read the paper etc.  If you get a chatty counter guy and have work to do, avoid the counter.

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46

241

Helena Z.

New York, NY

3 star rating
5/18/2007

Not amazing, but not bad.

So-so chocolate, chocolate drinks, chocolate cakes, ice cream.

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2

52

Yen D.

New York, NY

4 star rating
4/1/2008

You know, Cocoa Bar is really hit and miss.

Plus:

free wi-fi
pretty friendly baristas
great ambience
good hot chocolate
really good, expensive $5 mocha

Minus:

the strange, STRANGE tasting wasabi chocolate
the bad drip coffee
the semi-flaccid pastries
really good, expensive $5 mocha

I've had a delicately wrapped box of chocolates from here and there wasn't any item that was outstanding.

For giggles, and if they have them, you gotta try the Wasabi Chocolate Dome. It looks like a boob. It goes hand in hand-- like ladies and cocaine. Or gum and nuts.

I have to give a whole lotta love to the chocolatier for the daring combo.

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Elite '10

210

415

Renee C.

New York, NY

3 star rating
2/27/2009

So I came here to get a little java in my system after eating at Clinton St. Baking across the street. I had their chocolatte and also shared their B & W Moo, which was caramel and marshmellow inside a dark chocolate coating...not bad, but very very sweet. Their chocolatte was pretty good, an awesome spin on a regulate mocha because they use both dark and milk chocolate.
Anyways....so the guy who served us obviously needed a cig or some caffeine himself, I mean it was him who suggested to me to pick the chocolate I want in my chocolatte, they had a selection of milk, dark. mint and cinnamon, so I chose cinnamon, Well, he took the box of cinnamon out but forgot to add it into my drink, but instead put regular dark. He took like a whole day to ring us up....seriously?
Thank heavens it was a beautiful day and I wasn't in a hurry. The place is cute btw, they have wifi and it's not a bad place to chill, read or get some work done.

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130

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Denise L.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
3/20/2008

While waiting for our table at Clinton Baking Company, my friends and I decided to get some "coffee" at Cocoa Bar. This little spot was so cute! The menu consists of chocolate lattes, hot chocolates, espressos, wine and.. of course.. chocolate truffles and candy!

I love mint chocolate, so I ordered the mint chocolate latte. It was so creamy and decadent. Thick, rich mint cocoa with a shot of espresso. I had a taste of my friend's white chocolate latte and that was yummy too.

The chocolate truffles and candies were so beautifully made. Candy so pretty like this, you really don't want to eat. If you're in the area on a cold NYC day, definitely stop by Cocoa Bar to either warm up with hot chocolate or wine!

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