During my four month hiatus from real life work, I was able to explore a few local shops. I came across an article about Choco Vivo, a chocolate shop in Venice. Anyone who knows me KNOWS I love chocolate. So I went exploring online first to their website. If you haven't read Patricia's stories on her blog you should go

. She is a true entrepreneur and someone who took a great leap of faith to do something she loves.

So I drove a mere 10 minutes to Venice and went looking for this tiny shop nestled on Abbot Kinney. I so wanted to meet Patricia, she sounded like me in her March blog posts, but she wasn't there that day.

I sampled a few of the chocolates. I've never really tasted true pure chocolate. It's all DARK chocolate no milk or soy lecithins added, so it's pure goodness.

Her stone-ground beans to bar method is mouth melting ecstasy. I tried the almonds to sea salt and the mayan tradition (spicy and delish). She also has chocolate butters and does a nice sampling on the First Friday's down on Abbot Kinney every month.

A must visit place when your on the westside. Abbot Kinney is the perfect place for this entrepreneur.

Beside's the great little store, she's also at these Farmer's Markets:

Tuesdays:

Culver City, 2 pm – 7 pm,

Sundays:

Mar Vista, 9 am – 2pm