Lisa Browder

If I were dropped on a desert island and given limited choices for foods that would make my existence bearable, I’d have to go with chips and salsa and chocolate. Although both would please the palate, chocolate would soothe the senses. It’s a decadent treat, can’t-live-without-it food, perfect dessert and fabulous snack. So when I discovered William Dean Chocolates, I knew these would be the ones I’d want. That said, we could really forget the island scenario; give me a blanket and pillow and maroon me in the store.

The chocolates are hand-painted works of art in about a zillion flavors. Of course, I paid for all that flavor and beauty, but damn it was good! My box of 15 chocolates was about $42. I know. I hear you. But I have to say, I feel like I got my money’s worth. And, after all, I’m just doing my research for the blog, right?

There wasn’t a single one I disliked. Here were my choices:

And if that’s not enough, they also have a nice selection of teas, gelatos (gelati in Italian, if you want to get fussy) and macarons. I sampled the key lime gelato and it was sublime.

After making my choices, I was fascinated to see the clerk arranging and then rearranging the chocolates in the box. As it turns out, the standard box sets have a precise placement they must follow. If it’s a custom selection, then they follow a rule of thumb: square ones toward the outside, round ones toward the center and the unusual shapes like the lavender butterfly or the heart occupy the center slots.

Williiam Dean Chocolates also has a Saturday and Sunday afternoon tea at the Tampa location (I don’t know about Belleair Bluffs). It’s $30 per person and reservations are required. You’re served a choice of black, white, green or herbal tea – hot or cold. You can select a cucumber and lemon dill cream cheese sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, salmon and lemon dill cream cheese sandwich or vegetable quiche. Then come scones (vanilla or cheddar and scallion) with mock Devonshire cream and seasonal jams, and an assortment of pastries and sweets.

The weekend tea seems like a nice way to relax and unwind or you could simply stop by for some decadence to take home. I would, however, suggest that if you’re doing any additional sightseeing, you make this your last stop. You don’t want to leave these confections sitting in the car.