Indulge in chocolate cocktails at new Boardman bar inside Gorant Chocolatier
Local painter Patrick McGlone unveiled a mural honoring the legacy of Gorant, a Boardman business opening a new bar to share custom chocolate desserts and cocktails with the Mahoning Valley.
Bergen Giordani and Dr. Nino Rubino are the co-owners of Gorant, a 75-year-old gourmet chocolate confection shop on US 224 in Boardman.
In 2023, the business partners acquired Gorant Chocolatier, founded in 1949 by Charles and Sam Gorant.
This year, Giordani and Dr. Rubino wanted to try something new.
“We had been tossing around the idea of a dessert bar for several years. When we moved into this space on 224, we decided it would be the perfect opportunity to bring this concept to life,” Giordani said.
Giordani and Dr. Rubino opened The Dessert Bar on June 6 and Patrick McGlone, owner of Overall Paint Company, unveiled the mural for the new bar honoring the original chocolatiers.
“The Dessert Bar was very well received during our soft opening,” Dr. Rubino said. “It has the feel of a lounge with soft seating and couches that people love and of course our food and drink options are over the top.”
The Dessert Bar is believed to be the first dessert bar and lounge in Ohio, according to the owners.
In addition to signature craft cocktails like the Gorant Chocolate Martini, The Dessert Bar has wine and beer options available.
Giordani and Dr. Rubino have worked with a local bakery called OH Sugar to include desserts celebrating the flavors of Gorant Chocolate on the menu.
“We believe in collaboration with partners that allow us to showcase our products in the best possible light. We’re excited to share recipes for desserts and drinks on our website in the future” Giordani said.
The bar is open Thursday through Saturday at 400 Boardman-Poland Road and can be accessed through the side entrance of the Gorant Chocolatier building in Boardman.
Giordani is also the owner of One Hot Cookie, Sweet Sips, Sweet Marketing and Management and OH Donut Company.