Diane Haithman

Chocolate Sauce: A neighbor told a family member who told me there was a new chocolate store close by, so naturally The Sauce had to go sniff it out. The place is Chokolatta in NoHo, owned by Andrea (Andie) Santillan, who opened up shop in January after four years plying her wares at farmers markets.

Seemingly isolated on Tujunga Boulevard near Weddington Street, the shop is actually only a block West of the NoHo business-entertainment hub on Lankershim. Just think, with less than a five-minute walk, you can be surrounded by chocolate.

Meet Andie and her parents, Alfredo and Yolanda

There are all kinds of yummy things to be had in this retro-cute family establishment, including ice cream (free tastes available per Facebook), chocolate-covered fruits, truffles (I tried the tequila) and cake pops (I sampled the banana, a meltingly soft brownie-textured creation dipped in chocolate). Espresso drinks are served hot or cold, and the list of drinks also includes a spicy Mexican hot chocolate.

Chokolatta also services special events with chocolate-covered strawberry platters, spectacular cake-pop arrangements and even chocolate shoes. Apparently pumps only.

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Chokolatta, 5264 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood