Randolph Street’s “Restaurant Row” is about four blocks from my apartment in the West Loop, and sounded as good a street as any to explore possible nightlife spots, good food, and great desserts. My mother and I took a trip to the Chocolate Café, 847 W Randolph St, and it looked fairly close to what heaven might be like for the two of us. Chocolate fountains overflowed behind the counter displaying every kind of chocolate goody imaginable. They had lots of samples — and didn’t mind when we took one or two extra.
My mother, who is responsible for my chocolate addiction after giving me a piece at the age of three, fully appreciated the Chocolate Café’s variety in its menu, which included shakes and ice cream, fondue, hot chocolate, brownies and truffles. We shared fondue with pound cake and fruit, and we weren’t disappointed, to say the least. Their menu also includes bagels, soups, salads, sandwiches, and fruit plates. The Chocolate Café lives up to its name. Having one of your favorite things nearby in a neighborhood makes it an even better place to live.