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).