Health & Fitness
Sarasota Chocolatier Carol Sirard Opens Sirard's Chocolate Café
Sarasota Chocolatier Carol Sirard turns Restaurateur, as Sirard's Chocoate Cafe location and menu grow with enhanced taste.
Chocolatier and Restaurateur Carol Sirard held her soft opening of Sirard’s
Chocolate Café, Thursday evening where I learned a little, as I watched her dream coming true, which for me, is the best part of being a writer of business and politics.
In less than 7 years, Sirard’s 350-square-foot sweets’ storefront Sirard’s Chocolate House has reached its new grand location as a 3,500-square-foot Café, with chocolate literally dripping down the walls.
Since 2006, her staff has grown 10 times. From two employees, she is expecting to increase her staff to 20.
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Among all the hustle and bustle, I was able to catch some of Sirard’s energy, as her company’s already huge following was there to pack the house in support of her new venture—standing room only.
One of those loyal patrons, Brian Jones remarks, “I am not surprised at all by the turnout tonight; I’ve been a huge fan for years.”
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Jones adds, “I’ve only had the chilled salmon salad, and I’m hooked.”
Before I go any further, I should let the Sarasota Seafoam Fans off the hook—no worries guys and gals! The chocolate-covered, sugary-puffed candy—AKA “sponge candy”—is waiting for you. It begins to melt in your mouth the moment you take the first crunchy bite.
And, now, you may complement your favorite menu item with the perfect wine or one of the decadent frothy hot chocolates.
Now located in the Clark-Honore Publix Shopping Center at 5170 Clark Rd, Palmer Plaza Boulevard, Sirard’s menu covers everything from Soups and Salads to Quiches and Panini. Wholesaling to places like the Hyatt Regency Hotel Siesta Key (the chocolate shell on your pillow), Sirard ships all the way up the East Coast of the U.S.
I came home with Chocolate Chili and a side of cocoa nib corn bread. (The chili tasted like chili, btw) And, I snatched a couple hand-dipped white chocolate-covered pretzels with sprinkles as well as chocolate-covered stuffed cookies, along with a full container of Sarasota Seafoam that is disappearing, as I write.
For more information, please call Sirard’s Chocolate Café at (941)
923-2462. You may also check out their website at www.sirardschocolate.com.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Nov. 1, then 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. serving a full dessert bar, wines and dessert wines.
The Grand Opening with be held on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.
