Radical Chocolate

There’s something about places you have to know about in order to find; places you won’t just happen upon. Sugar-Coated Radical is such a place. It is a small chocolate haven tucked away in Poncey-Highlands, behind the ironic thoroughfare that features Chipotle, Green’s and Whole Foods (the "green" triumvirate). Upon entering the closet-like enclave, you’re greeted by the warming scent of chocolate, and by pastry maven Taria Camerino; or perhaps by one of her sons. Straight ahead is the kitchen. To your right is a simply beautiful array of handcrafted chocolates. The care that was taken in their making is evident as they are described to you. The flavors are thoughtful and intense. And the chocolate is rich and deep.

Thanks to Creative Loafing’s Cliff Bostock for tipping us off to Taria’s lovely shop; Camerino has previously worked at some of our favorite spots: Alon’s, Top Flr, Holeman & Finch, Restaurant Eugene and Highland Bakery. We arrived at Sugar-Coated Radical curious and were treated to a sampling of fresh chocolate covered s’mores (vegan, gluten-free and delicious), dark chocolate ‘enrobed’ Ragged Mountain rum-white chocolate ganache topped with candied mango, and dark chocolate yerba mate (the yerba mate intensified the chocolate nicely). Some of our favorite selections were milk chocolate covered pear-honey (the honey was caramel-like and the hint of pear so delicate), dark chocolate covered malted milk/vanilla bean powder whipped white chocolate ganache (described, and accurately so, like a milkshake), milk chocolate covered caramel with black lava salt, dark chocolate covered massaman curry-white chocolate butter ganache with toasted coconut, a spicy “Black Heart” chocolate filled with chipotle/Mexican vanilla bean, and to cool our palates, dark chocolate scented with lavender. Next on our list to try: White Heart (raspberry pate de fruit/rose petal-white chocolate ganache), fig/goat’s milk brie-dark chocolate ganache with Oregon walnut, and olive-oil dark chocolate ganache/Balinese pyramid salt. Oh, and drinking chocolate. Yes.

This chocolate is transcendental. Go get some.  

Location