Toronto’s Distillery District, September 2013, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

I’ve mentioned that we were in Toronto over a weekend in mid-September. We stayed with a dear aunt somewhere in Islington, a suburb of Toronto.

On the one evening we were able to go out with her, she suggested we go to the Distillery District. When we got there, I still recognized the area. It used to be filled with these warehouses where a much respected brewery, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery operated since the 1800’s.  The architecture is distinctively Victorian Industrial.

The distillery closed its doors in the 90’s. Thereafter, the place became a go-to film location in Canada. In fact, it was the second largest film location outside of Hollywood.

Toronto Distillery District Views, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

By the early 2000’s, the place was slowly transformed to what it is now. There were many modern hotels and apartment complexes surrounding the distillery.  The distillery itself has become a pedestrian only village for the arts, culture, and entertainment, attracting Toronto’s residents and visitors alike.

Local Shoemaker at the Toronto Distillery District, John Fluevog, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

We first walked around the area, browsing through the various shops, museums, and little cafes.  It wasn’t long before we zoomed in on a chocolate house. SOMA Chocolatemaker.

SOMA Chocolatemaker entrance (c) Likeitiz

They consider themselves a micro-chocolate factory where everything is made in small batches directly from the cacao bean. This little place houses the equipment where organic fair-trade cacao beans supplied by cacao plantation partners are “roasted, refined, and conched.”  It is a place to “eat, drink, and worship chocolate,” they proudly espouse.

Chocolate making at SOMA Chocolatemaker, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

We watched from the window, some chocolate bars being made. Such painstaking work!  Then, we walked around to look at the offerings.  After savoring the rich chocolatey scent pervasive all over the shop, we opted for a hot cocoa.  My aunt and I ordered our cup with soy milk. My hubby ordered his with just hot water.

The Offerings at the shop, SOMA Chocolatemaker, Toronto Distillery District, (c) Likeitiz

I took my first sip and felt the hot chocolate goodness envelope my mouth and flow to the back. My taste buds were all rejoicing! Especially the ones at the back, just before the first swallow.  Ahh! We all nodded to one another. It was thick, rich, heady chocolate, with a hint of vanilla, cinnamon, and a subtle sweetness at the end.

Hot Cocoa called “a la taza” with soy milk at SOMA Chocolatemaker, photo credit (c) Likeitiz

Yup!  It was good to the last drop!  In fact, I brought home some so I can relive the experience with my hubby again!

These other people visited the Distillery District and SOMA Chocolates too.  See what they have to say:

• Touring the Distillery District on a Segway (iwilltravelblog.com)
• TORONTO’S DISTILLERY DISTRICT – from Windmills to Whiskey to Hollywood (nancyshistoricsites.com)
• Cacao In Space And A Taste of Toronto (achocolatelife.wordpress.com)
• Toronto #6: Distillery District, St Lawrence Market & Nathan Phillips Square (milasaki.wordpress.com)
• Toronto (thorpe14.wordpress.com)
• First taste of Art Festival in Distillery Historic District (danniezhong.wordpress.com)
• Toronto-ing, and adjusting to the rucksack (suzysteppingstones.wordpress.com)