Come On Get Happy! | By Dr. Ink

Chocolat
3896 Fifth Ave. (Hillcrest)
619-574-8500
Happy Hour: 4 to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Wherever fancy-pants chocolates, gelatos and desserts are served, there should always be wine and bubbly in close orbit, given that they all fall into the same category of romantic temptations. Indeed, the owners of Chocolat got it right by catering to drinkers.

Happy hour bargains don’t apply to the sweet edibles because a “ton of cost goes into them,” according to an employee. But wines and prosecco come down a couple notches in price, costing $5 per glass.

When ducking in recently for a mental reset after canvassing the city with out-of-town company, the wine selection featured an Australian Chardonnay, a Napa Cabernet, Italian Chianti and a merlot whose origin my waitress didn’t know.

Just as well since my tongue craved fizz, leading me to a fluted glass of prosecco from Cupcake Vineyards. The vintner, located in the Central Coast, produces red and white wines that usually taste acceptable for the price, especially with food. The softly effervescent prosecco lived up to that standard, offering soothing notes of cantaloupe and peach without the cloying aftertaste.

Several savories are discounted as well, such as ricotta-pear “bruschette” with honey ($4.95); tuna antipasti with red peppers ($6.95); and decent-sized pizzas served on boards for $7.95.

I ordered the “Carmela” pizza, a close cousin to the classic Alsatian flammkuchens I’ve eaten with wild abandon in Europe. It’s topped with caramelized onions, Gruyere cheese and wild mushrooms. Chocolat’s version, however, comes with the added prosecco-friendly bonus of fresh arugula and balsamic glaze.

Though bustling most days, the four-year-old café feels a little too stylish for rip-roaring drinking sessions with its black-and-white color scheme and flowering plants adorning most tables. And it’s hard to leave without perusing the gelatos, which inevitably prompts a purchase after netting a few free samples from a rainbow of flavors.

Attesting to the fact, never before have I come home from happy hour with peanut butter and chocolate on my breath.

RATINGS:
Drinks: 4
A small list of California and international wines comprise the booze list, along with a pleasant semi-dry prosecco from Cupcake Vineyards.
Food: 4
The “Carmela” pizza yielded five irregular squares. The crust was light and crispy and topped with a flavorful blend of melted Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and fresh arugula.
Value: 4
Expect to save between 10 and 20 percent for various appetizers and wines by the glass.
Service: 3
Table service seems to suffer when staffers begin tending to customers at the cash register. Also, the happy hour menu wasn’t presented until asking for it.
Duration: 4
No happy hour on weekends, but the 6:30 p.m. end time on all other days gives customers working overtime a fair chance to seize the bargains.