A one-stop chocolate shop

I, like many, am addicted to chocolate. And I've always been amazed at the wealth of chocolatiers that call Seattle home.

When I need a fix, I'll shop-hop, sampling Fran's caramels topped with gray sea salt; Oh! Chocolate's French creams and nougaty coconut bites; Dilettante's Bing cherries in chocolate; dark-chocolate bars from Fiori Chocolatiers; and, when I'm feeling socially conscious, free-trade bars from Theo Chocolate.

Now all my favorites are in one place: the Chocolate Box, which recently opened on Pine Street between First and Second avenues near Pike Place Market, to the delight of Seattle chocoholics. And as if having all those delectable purveyors of chocolate in one spot weren't enough, there's also a coffee bar, bakery and gelato counter.

There's a hint of Willy Wonka decor at the Chocolate Box, with exposed structural elements overhead and a ceiling painted shades of chocolate and cream. Two seating areas in the front of the store face the street; in warm weather, the windows are thrown wide open. It's the perfect place to people-watch while enjoying your Gelatiamo chocolate or strawberry gelato.

The chocolate boutique will undoubtedly draw tourists from nearby Pike Place Market, but it's also a great spot for locals to pick up gifts and have a cup of Zoka coffee or decadent Chocolat Vitale sipping chocolate. Sit a spell and have a minicupcake from West Seattle bakery Sugar Rush (which operates out of Coffee to a Tea with Sugar), or a chocolate cinnamon roll from the French Bakery. You can also watch guest chocolatiers spin their confections.

My picks for great gifts are Chocolat Vitale sipping chocolate in a pretty tin ($14); a package of In Vino Veritas chocolates that slips over the neck of a wine bottle (the $5 box includes suggested wine pairings); Oh! Chocolate's 24-piece gift box with pretty ribbon ($39); and SweetBliss chocolate-covered treats ($6) from New York, featuring handmade marshmallow, graham cracker and caramel. Can't make it to the shop? Online ordering is coming soon.