JaCiva's, where the chocolate E is for Edna

JaCiva's made the cherry and apple pies that I bought at Zupan's for us to take to the guys' for Thanksgiving. I knew how good they were, so I figured the candy ought to be something else. I didn't know that there was a JaCiva's store, so when Marsha mentioned going there after we'd eaten our Por Que No lunch on February 28, I followed in her footsteps.

Mama's name is Edna, so I couldn't resist getting a chocolate E for her! She thoroughly enjoyed it, over a couple of days.


Check out this huge chocolate bunny! The bunnies on the shelf are regular-sized ones.


More Easter goodies.






One of their many counters filled with chocolate and/or baked goods.








JaCiva's is at 4733 SE Hawthorne Blvd. From their Web site: Finest quality pastry and chocolate shop in the city of Portland, Oregon! The freshest, most delicious chocolate you've ever tasted. Every morsel made from JaCiva's special chocolate blend and the finest of Domestic and European chocolate. Taste the excitement of European-style chocolates made right here in Oregon!

Here's a bit more about Jaciva's from their Web site:
Jack and Iva Elmer began JaCiva's Bakery and Chocolatier together on December 6, 1986. They wanted to give Portland the finest quality pastry and chocolate shop in the city! The Name JaCiva's was formed by putting their names together-"Jack and Iva." Before JaCiva's (pronounced Ja-Ki-va's) they owned Heidi's Swiss Pastries in Boring, Oregon from 1972 to 1984.

Our After-Dark hours are Friday and Saturday evenings 5:00 p.m. till 10 p.m. Our handmade, artisan chocolates are the best you'll find in Portland. A Premier Dessert House: Start a new tradition in the delightful ambience of our chocolate tasting cafè on Hawthorne Blvd in southeast Portland.

Jack is a full blood Swiss, but born in the United States. He has a long history of baking... Starting when he was a small child and including his apprenticeship in Portland, Oregon. He also attended several baking schools and worked in many shops, including The Old Bohemian Bakery.

Awards and credentials include:

* Konditor (High End Pastry Chef) - trained in Luzern, Switzerland (Richemont School)
* Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEPC) - given by the American Culinary Association
* Charter Master Baker (CMB) - given by the Retail Bakers of America
* Certified Master Chocolatier (CMC) - given by Retail Confectioners Internationals

Iva has a long history of unbelievable creativity and ideas! She is responsible for products, birthday and wedding cakes.

Wedding cakes in the window that day.