NY road trip: Vosges, Marie Belle, Lindt & Lazar's

While in NYC, I walked SOHO and stumbled into the newly opened Chicago chocolatier, Vosges (http://www.vosgeschocolate.com). Their great truffles are also made into candy bars. I love the Gianduja Candy Bar. If you like hazelnut and Belgian milk chocolate, you´ll love it too.

Marie Belle (http://www.mariebelle.com/) is a new store that opened in SOHO, not far from Vosges. It has a nice selection of chocolates and accessories. I bought a great leather binder that looks like a chocolate bar. They also have wonderful hot chocolate served at a cool little "Bar" in the back of the store.

Great Neck, NY on Long Island has one of the three Lazar´s Chocolate stores (www.lazarschocolate.com). I stopped by for a taste and was delighted to try several of the candies. I think marshmallow anything is worth the trip. I tried different flavors - the maple was excellent as were the smores. Mr. Lazar, how do you keep the marshmallow so light and fresh?

Lindt Chocolates (http://www.lindt.com) has expanded in the Northeast over the past few years and I stopped in one this week. Beautiful store! I love their "Wafer/ Milk Chocolate" candy bar the most. (It is also available through a variety of outlets. I saw it at the WH Smith store at the LAX airport).

South Florida Update: Jimmie's and Amazing!

Ft. Lauderdale: I have been flying to Ft. Lauderdale for 20 years (a cheaper/easier way to get to South Florida than using Miami International and in all of my trips, I never realized that Jimmie´s Chocolates (http://www.jimmieschocolates.com) - Florida´s oldest chocolate company- 1947) was less than 2 miles away. This is a real gem that is easy to miss. You must ask for Ginger, the wonderful woman who helped me sample some of their goodies. The dipped strawberry was as good as it gets, but so were the truffles and chocolate candy. The chocolate covered pretzels were also a big hit! Jimmie´s has a cafè on the main road and the chocolate shop in back (both small cute pink buildings). The manufacturing is done three buildings away.

In Hollywood, Florida, near downtown, you should stop by and visit Amazing Chocolates (http://www.amazingchocolates.com)! Although I wasn´t able to take any home (my fault for running late), my 30-second visit included a Tiramisu chocolate candy that was unbelievable. I can´t wait to return to Hollywood, Fl to sample more!

Miami Update: CoCoWalk in Coconut Grove

CocoWalk Shopping Center has a new store called Fenoglio (http://www.fenoglio.com/). This is the first U.S. unit of a South American chain. I tried several specialties and was happy with them all.

Also, you MUST try the "Chocowalk", chocolate gelato at Coco Gelato (http://cocogelato.com/) . This has been a favorite "ice cream" of mine for years. It is chocolate ice cream with caramel swirls and chocolate chips.

LA: Chocolatt on Wilshire

Chocolatt (http://www.chocolatt.com) is a new chocolate store in LA on Wilshire, just east of Bundy. They carry wonderful chocolates imported from Belgium. Owned and operated by a Belgian chocoholic, Tarcis Verfaillie. I really thought all of the dark, milk and white truffle flavors were fantastic!

I was so excited to find this gem right after it opened- Just driving down Wilshire and my "chocodar" went off. Boy was I excited I found this place. The purpose of this site is to find cool new locations in addition commenting on the old standbys. This store has legs and Tarcis is one to follow.

Good Luck!

Houston: The Chocolate Bar

Houston: On a recent visit for a very sad occasion, my cousin Ellen cheered me up by taking me to a fantastic chocolate and candy retailer in the Montrose area called the Chocolate Bar (next door, the same guys have the Candy Bar). This place has it all. Their handmade assortment is very large and unique. They have great gift ideas as well. The killer for me was the wonderful variety of multi-flavored and concocted chocolate ice creams. This is a mandatory stop for anyone traveling to Houston.

Beverly HIlls: I Love Lucy & Lucy loves Edelwiess Chocolates & now I love it EC, too

A friend told me that Edelweiss Chocolates (http://www.edelweisschocolates.com), in Beverly Hills, has the best marshmallow/chocolate products in LA. Since you know my penchant for things with marshmallow and chocolate I headed straight there and WOW... he was correct.

NOTE TO ALL: I apologize for not coming here years ago.

 I introduced myself to Steve Zahir, the owner, and was graciously given a tour of this 61-year-old retail store and factory. Sometimes I am caught off-guard and this experience was one of those times- it totally blew me away! This is the site of the store made famous by the I Love Lucy show- the episode where Lucy works in the chocolate store and she can´t keep up with the conveyer belt! Steve showed me the machine, that was manufactured in1918, and is still being used today. It really is the actual machine Lucy couldn't keep up with on the show.

Edelweiss is a MUST stop on anyone´s trip through Beverly Hills. (4444 N. Canon Street just south of Little Santa Monica Blvd).