The bad reviews seem to me to be extremely misguided. Many are from parents taking children into this shop as if it is a candy store. That would be like taking children to a couple's resort like Sandals in Grenada. This is an artisan chocolate boutique with the most delicious chocolate ever created by an artist and highly trained chef! I love it! Daniel has a dry sense of humor, but is kind and informative! My whole family was delighted last night with the experience and we all bought chocolate to take with us! Daniel is a genius of flavor. It is remarkable that parents believe their children should be catered to by everyone and that all places are appropriate for children. Neither is true. I took my son here when he was 8 and Daniel was kind and explained the chocolate because my son was respectful and did not expect a Snickers bar! Last night, my son requested for his 20th birthday to go back and Daniel's is where we celebrated after dinner! A rare, wonderful place! I have eaten chocolate from around the world and Daniel's creations surpass what I have had in Paris and Antwerp. I will continue to be a faithful patron as I have been for 12 years! read more

This chocolate maker is a master. His chocolate has no additives and is the very best I HAVE EVER HAD!!! The atmosphere is cozy and artsy. The coffee is excellent. I recommend getting the chocolate fondue...$8 and is enough for 2 people. . . Don't forget to take some home for mom! read more

If you have children you may be offended by this man and his outlook on them. I called to see if he offered tours for a small group of children he informed me that he did not as ALL children have the attention span of a gnat. I will never step foot in this business! read more

I have been going here for years, and it is always a special treat. The truffles are to die for. Yes, it may seem expensive, but I know that spending ~$5 on two pieces of chocolate is much cheaper than a psychiatrist.....many a time Daniel's chocolate has helped my psyche! I have introduced many friends to Daniel's chocolate, and one described it best...."It's like an orgasm!!" read more

we stopped into chocolat after dinner friday, right before they closed. what an adorable little spot! the space is dark and cozy, featuring a vintage display case, lots of original architectural details and plenty of seating at tables or couches. the woman behind the counter was very friendly and knowledgable about the chocolates. we ordered a variety to share and sat down at a table. they were all excellent, but daniel's take on the turtle was my favorite. the one complaint I have is that the one made with orange didn't have much orange flavor. bottom line, this place is a gem and i will definitely be back the next time i'm in town. rockford needs more businesses like this one. read more

I used to live in Rockford and it was a real treat to be able to come back to this place after several years of not being anywhere in the area. Something must have happened to Daniel in that time frame because he used to talk to my peer group and be very friendly and interested in engaging with us. Nowadays, he seems to be totally standoffish, giving one word answers, and not even remotely interested in our presence. He actually even kicked us out well before closing time and stated "what's the point of being open?" and when I asked how was business, he said "bad but whatever." I wonder why. What a jerk! No amount of chocolate is worth being treated like that. He can take his chocolates and shove them! read more

Mmmmm. Chocolat by Daniel is delicious! I have been there a few times and you must try the truffles and the lavender chocolate! They are my favorites! read more

Delicious, real chocolates with no added sugar! Loved the turtle and the mint! Was a bit pricey, but overall was a great dessert! I will definitely be coming back! read more

i love this place and so does my 9 year old - he loves picking out fancy chocolates and liked the taste of everything he had (he is a fan of the dark chocolate)- Id like to try to get downtown to stop in there more often! :) read more

We love Daniel and his homemade chocolates. We drive to Daniels from Chicago area just to get a box. He is a neat fella and is so informed about chocolate. He plys his trade well and my daughter and I moan with delight every single time we consume one of his chocolates. read more

Another sad rockford experience!! Daniel's chocolates had a dull flavor. Starting with quality ingredients is important but Daniel's chocolate tastes like a low grade product. Nothing to get excited over, nothing to get me back in the door. PLUS as we entered the building a musty mold smell overwhelmed me! Please do not support this business. read more

Wow, I must have been there on the owners bad day. Stopped in after seeing a live broadcast of WGN at the brewery next door. First, the store looked like it was closed. Tried the door and it was open. Walked into a dark store when a tall man came out from the back and turned the light on in the chocolate case. Never said a word to us. Asked if they had any milk chocolate and he acted as though I was asking for something that didn't exist. I may have tried a piece but with his unwelcoming attitude I didn't want to give him my business. read more

Owner is extremely rude and disrespectful. Also, I was told that "after having MY hot chocolate, you will never want any other". I ended up spitting it out in the road and throwing it in the nearest trashcan. Disgusting. I really don't know how he stays in business. Oh, and don't touch the glass. The dark chocolate was pretty good, but I would rather not give him any of my money. read more

the products sell themselves here! delicious and great coffee, however the only thing that inhibits the chocolates being sold is the maker himself. maybe he ought tone down the ego if he expects the people of rockford to pay 4 bucks a chocolate. i'd rather go buy a bar of lame hershey's then step in the store again while he is there. read more

definitely the best dark the chocolate i've had. reading a bunch of negative reviews on daniel's customer service was hilarious, if you can't handle a little dry humor & intelligent responses then go buy chocolate at walgreens. read more

I walked into this shop with the intention of purchasing some fine dark chocolates. My boyfriend and I were the only customers in there and the owner gave off such an intimidating vibe that I immediately felt uncomfortable. So, I attempted making some small talk to ease the obvious tension and was treated so rudely by this pompous and arrogant man that I immediately wanted to run out of there. When I asked a question about one of the chocolates he gave a snide remark as an answer and did not appreciate being made to feel stupid just because I'm not a chocolate expert. I was going to spend my money in there, but figured this jerk did not deserve my hard-earned dollars. I will not be going back. Ever. read more

The owner was so rude that i walked out without buying anything. The entire place is dim and rather musty. If i am "looking to buy some expensive chocolate", as the owner put it, i think i'll find it elsewhere. read more

Daniel makes beautiful and delicious chocolates that I love giving as gifts (and receiving, of course). He obviously takes great pride in his work, and his knowledgeable and sassy conversation is a fun part of going to the shop. One of Rockford's real treasured. read more

We bought a box of six chocolates yesterday for a gift and had to add one for us, "for the road". Although we have been there several times before, we checked the yelp ratings and were astonished at the strong reactions people had to Daniel as a person. We were certainly on guard as we walked toward the showcase at the back of the store, and I was tempted to holler "milk chocolate" to see if I could provoke an outburst. Our experience was quite pleasant and free of discord. He obviously takes great pride in his work, which is certainly justified, but we enjoyed discussing the various chocolates currently being offered. His selections change so a displayed product might not be available, but we're dealing with a craftsman making small batches of high-quality product. The man certainly has a unique personality that we find refreshing, and the intelligent conversation merely adds to the experience of shopping for a quality product from a gifted artist. Casual conversation at the brew pub next door and with the mail carrier on the street suggested that Daniel is well liked in the neighborhood by folks who interact with him daily. Maybe the people who slammed him in these reviews have come to expect the disingenuous smiley plain-vanilla greetings from the chain supermarket staff. That would be sad. read more

I adore the chocolates Daniel makes and enjoy interacting with him. My favorites are the lavender and the tequila (or margarita - can't remember whitch it is) read more

The chocolate is good, but do yourself a favor and go buy a bag of Lindor truffles instead. Daniel may know what he's doing with chocolate, but he should stay away from his customers. He's rude, egotistical and just down right obnoxious. I love to support Rockford's downtown, I really do. City Market is fantastic and I love first Fridays. Daniel is the only blemish on the downtown strip. read more

Not the best I have had. Not bad though, if your willing to put up with the horrible service. The owner is, at best, a pompous j#$@ off. He talks down at his customers as if he just cured cancer. Its only chocolate. Instead of always looking down your nose, pluck those hairs and get over yourself. read more

The cost is nothing. I've paid more for chocolate before, but never for the quality I received from Daniel. I'm not from Rockford or even from IL, but if Daniel's shop was in my hometown, I would likely be a permanent fixture. Bravo to Daniel and his staff. The quality of the product and the service just doesn't get any better than this. read more

A previous review from last year sums it up "arrogant, pretentious, and rude". Thank you, I could not have said it better myself. If you have a sweet tooth you have other locally owned goodness to check out (Kate's Pie Shop or Sugar Jones). I just cannot give someone my money who is so condescending. The chocolate is bitter and not the same European style I was expecting. read more

We just had an awful/awkward interaction with Daniel and in coming on here I see we weren't the only ones! We stopped in the completely dark store and he turned on the light in the chocolate case and said "These are extremely expensive chocolates that are dark chocolate and not sweet. They are made of expensive ingredients and they are very expensive. If you don't think your kids will like them I would suggest not buying them since they are expensive." Haha!! Okay... Everything in Rockford is dirt cheap compared to where we live but enough said, Daniel! We asked if there was another candy/sweet shop and he said "I guess try Walgreens." Rudest shop owner I have probably ever encountered. Don't assume we can't afford your 2 dollar chocolates and if you want to stay in business, don't tell people to leave your unimpressive shop to go to Walgreens. We went to Yolo cupcake shop and enjoyed our treats. read more