Venchi’s store in Tysons Corner recently opened for business, bringing a taste of Italy to Virginia. With more than 140 years of history, 350 chocolate recipes and 90 gelato flavors, Venchi is a fine Italian chocolate and Gelato boutique. In addition to having 135 locations in over 70 countries, Venchi recently opened up a new branch in Tysons Corner Center. If you're in Tysons Corner, Venchi Chocolate & Gelato is a delightful stop for dessert lovers.
A Taste of Italy: Chocolates and Treats
Venchi offers an exquisite selection of gelato and chocolates that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Here's a closer look at some of their signature chocolates:
Nougatine
Nougatine is a classic sweet treat with a rich history, invented two centuries ago by Silviano Venchi, a 20-year old from Turin who loved chocolate so much that he spent all his savings on two bronze cauldrons and began to experiment. These experiments were so successful that he eventually produced nougatine, a chocolate with ground, caramelized hazelnuts in a dark chocolate coating. Nougatine is an explosion of textures-rich, smooth, dark chocolate with a crunchy filling. The chocolate adds a hint of bitterness that perfectly counterbalances the sweetness of the caramel hazelnut.
Pistacchio
The pistachio has a white chocolate base with pistachio paste incorporated in the chocolate. Not only is Pistacchio an innovative chocolate, it’s delicious, with a creamy texture, warm notes of vanilla milk and a savory, nutty aftertaste.
Baci Di Dama
Baci Di Dama, meaning “Lady’s kisses,” is a type of Northern sandwich cookie composed of two crumbly hazelnut biscuits joined together by a thin layer of chocolate. BacioDiDama is the chocolate manifestation of this traditional Italian dessert. The biscuit was light and airy, while the dark chocolate was smooth and rich.
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Cappuccino
Traditional cappuccino is a popular Italian coffee beverage composed of espresso, steamed milk and milk foam. The chocolate version is a combination of intense coffee, milk cream, and a sprinkling of dark cocoa. Similar to an actual cappuccino, the coffee flavor is complemented by the hint of milk.
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Tiramisu
Tiramisu is a coffee-flavored Italian dessert. Traditional tiramisu is made of ladyfingers soaked in coffee, layered with a whipped mixture of sugar, eggs and mascarpone, topped with a layer of cocoa powder. Venchi turned it into chocolate-a 3-tier layering of mascarpone, coffee and Venezuelan milk chocolate. It tastes exactly like tiramisu, with velvety chocolate and a distinct tinge of cocoa.
Cioccolato Bianco
Cioccolato Bianco is a white chocolate with hazelnuts, lightly-salted almonds, and pistachios set within it.
More Than Just Chocolate
Beyond chocolate, Venchi serves gelato, coffee, hot chocolate and crepes, with their own hazelnut chocolate spread. Customers can fill a “grab-bag” with chocolates of their choice or pick up one of their gift sets.
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Customer Experiences
Visitors praise the polite staff, generous portions, and a wide variety of options including vegan assortments and dark chocolate treats. The gelato flavors like hazelnut and chocolate are described as delicious and indulgent. Customers appreciate the welcoming service with opportunities to sample products before deciding on their order.
One visitor raved about the rich Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse, highlighting its perfect blend of flavors. The staff, including Celia, Mustapha, Liliana, and Charles, provide exceptional service with warmth and enthusiasm.
One satisfied customer shared their experience: "I discovered this store in New York and loved that they also have one here in Virginia. As soon as I walked in, Carlos was incredibly attentive-he answered all my questions and guided me in choosing the best chocolates. On top of that, he gave me several ice cream samples, which made the experience even better. I left today super happy, thanks to all of Carlos’s help-truly the best."
Things to Consider
The flavors are rich and the sweetness is intense - perfect for anyone with a serious sweet tooth! If you love extra-sweet desserts, this place will feel like heaven. Not the best value for money, but the taste experience is worth checking out at least once.
Visit during less busy times to avoid crowds as it can get quite busy in this corner store on the second floor of Tysons Mall. Consider taking your treats back to seating areas near the food court since there are no seating options nearby Venchi within the mall.
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Operating Hours
Here are the operating hours for Venchi in Tysons Corner:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM |
| Monday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 PM |
The staff were extremely friendly, and the venue is decorated beautifully.