Champagne and Chocolate, Reno’s newest bar, toasted its opening on Sept. 26. The dreamy space—which resembles both Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and a Real Housewife-backed bar—is the newest venture for Cesar Fausto, who partnered with the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory to bring his vision to life.
A chocolate fountain wall installation adds movement and taste, jade green tiles feel luxe across the centerpiece bar and lavish chandeliers appear to drip crystals from the ceiling.
As you’re handed glasses of champagne and candy-inspired libations by tie-and-vest-clad waitstaff, you can peruse a menu of tapas, purchase Champagne & Chocolate signature candy to-go at the retail counter or even watch the masters at work whipping up custom chocolate bars behind the glass.
Every corner of the space awakens the senses. It blends an eclectic list of international champagnes and sparkling wines from well-known brands to smaller champagne houses with a small plates dining menu. Snack from a tower of crispy calamari adorned with chipotle aioli or an abundant charcuterie board donning an over-sized pretzel and several types of cheese, meat, fruit and other accoutrements.
The space also doubles as a full bar with cocktails that often play to the themes, boasting signature iterations of popular sippers like an espresso martini and chocolate-garnished whiskey-and-bitters creations.
The chocolates available for sale all come from the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory, which narrowly avoided disaster during the Davis Fire earlier this month, including the $10 custom bars any patron can order. To take advantage of the option, fill out a card while sipping your bubbly, selecting up to three mix-in ingredients (ranging from fresh fruit to cookie crumbles to sea salt and chili powder), and enjoy your candy bar on the way home.
Cesar’s eye for detail—and pursuit of perfection—is the reason for the space’s overwhelming charm. Every touch feels high-end and the location overall is a far cry from the small Heavenly Village bar of the same name in South Lake Tahoe.
The community showed their support of the space, which took over the Voodoo Brewing Company building earlier this year—by lining up before the 5 p.m. Thursday grand opening event.
Every corner of the place is used in a way that feels chic and convenient, but never crowded. Aside from the bar there are small tables throughout the main room as well as a cozy corner around the left side of the bar. An outdoor patio is coming soon and a front dining area will play host to private events and rotating winemaker tastings and dinners.
A small stage up front welcomes local musicians to perform.
While Champagne and Chocolate is already brimming with opportunities for date nights and friendly get-togethers, that’s just the beginning. The brand has announced a full brunch menu accompanied by bottomless mimosas starting Oct. 6 and a Meet the Winemakers chocolate and wine pairing series with dates yet to be set. Keep an eye on Instagram for details on the venue’s Great Gatsby Halloween party and other new happenings added to the robust social calendar.
And keep in mind that while Champagne and Chocolate is part retail candy store, it still operates primarily as a bar, so leave the under-21 brood at home while visiting. You can always bring them home some chocolate so they don’t feel slighted.
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https://champagnechocolate.shop/
550 W. Plumb Ln., Suite E, Reno
