Seeking a pick-me-up that will get you through the workday? Dinstuhl’s combines fresh cashews, almonds, peanuts, honey grahams, pretzels, and dried cranberries to create this Heavenly Crunch treat, which is a lot like our favorite trail mix (only sweeter). The whole thing is drizzled with delicious white chocolate. If we were sports fans, we’d surely stock up for our football fan friends (in time for Super Bowl season). But we’re not, so we’ll gladly hoard them for ourselves.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, chocolate, Epicurean delight, food, Sweets

An athletic club is the last place we’d expect to unearth any culinary gems, but one visit to the café at Sports Club LA (in San Francisco) and we were hooked on the melt-in-your mouth zucchini bread. It is, quite possibly, one of the best in the city and far lighter than some of the brick-like creations at the neighboring Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

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Pres A Vi opens in San Francisco’s Presidio this November, and it’s expected to be a culinary treasure. The scene will feature an outdoor patio (open year-round) that will offer breathtaking views of the Bay. Chef Kelly Degala, a legend in the East Bay (sister restaurant Va De Vi is based in Walnut Creek), has created a menu that will allow gourmands to taste flavors from Spain, France, Italy, Latin America and the Philippines. Also on our list of must-trys? Housemade infused vodkas and after-dinner confections fit for discerning connoisseurs.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, gourmet, hotspot, restaurant

Jack’s beanstalk may have led him to the golden eggs, but we’d be wiling to bet Gimbal’s gourmet jelly beans are far more valuable. That’s right: These babies have a delectable shell and chewy center. They’re simply bursting with incredible flavor (41 varieties, to be exact).

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Few people actually think of Plumpjack’s Balboa Café—owned by Mayor Gavin Newsom—as a “restaurant” because the city’s revelers invade the bar as early as 6:30 pm. The fact of the matter is that this place embodies the more traditional side of San Francisco and the menu offers one of the best dinners we’ve had in a long time. Try the Hoffman Farms organic half-chicken served with crispy potato gnocchi (we like the Yukon roasted potatoes as a substitute), seasonal vegetables and brown jus. Save room for the peach and nectarine cobbler.

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As you may have noticed, we’re the ultimate chocolate lovers. We’ve experimented with everything from cocoa-dipped apricots to chocolate-covered strawberries. But grapes? Now that’s something new to us. Dinstuhl’s uses only the juiciest red grapes and smothers them in decadent milk chocolate. The best part? They’re superbly juicy on the inside.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, chocolate, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, Sweets

O.N.E. gives us two reasons to celebrate: First and foremost, this is the first we’ve ever heard of natural coconut water. Secondly, it tastes delicious and offers a nice change from our usual Evian. Forget the Gatorade, this stuff hydrates with electrolytes and without the high-fructose corn syrup. Tote it in your gym bag for your best cardio workout yet.

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How can we resist something so good-looking? And so calorie-free? These sweet, dainty bonbons, available at Gump’s and created by Northern California artists, are created by hand and topped with sweet flourishes. The finished pieces are wrapped in candy paper and leave us wanting for more every time.

Technorati Tags: candies, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, Sweets

Say buh-bye to the Red Bull (but not the vodka). San Francisco-based Hi Ball offers increased physical energy and mental alertness with its collection of “revolutionary” energy soda waters. Active ingredients include taurine, guarana, ginseng, B-vitamins and caffeine (grin). There’s no sugar, no carbs, no artificial colors or flavors. Bravo!

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, water, wellness

St. Helena newcomer Go Fish is getting rave reviews. The West Coast-style fish house and sushi bar allows seafood lovers to really live it up with a selection of artful raw dishes, along with old-fashioned favorites of the cooked variety. We’re loving the potato crusted sand dabs, crispy fish sticks, griddled crab cakes and fab tuna melts.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, hotspot, restaurant