Greatest of All Time - Shipley's Chocolate Filled Donut

In my world, before Krispy Kreme, there was Shipley's (http://www.shipleydonuts.ws/) . Growing up in Houston, you almost couldn't go a couple of miles/streets without hitting a Shipley's donut shop. It probably where my love of hot fresh donuts began.

Now take a great donut and inject the best chocolate creme- Whiz, Bang, Boom -uh oh you have now created a delicacy!

Hurry for the Shipley's Chocolate Filled Donut!

New Orleans: "The Jackson Square"- Southern Candymakers

New Orleans: The name of the store is Southern Candymakers (www.southerncandymakers.com) and the candy is called "The Jackson Square". This is a small chocolate store on the left, on the way to Cafè Du Monde from Canal Place (across from the Jackson Brewery). They feature a peanut butter-crispy chocolate square, something that is out of this world. Don´t miss an opportunity to try this one; it is a treat!

This is one of the all time great candy stores in the US. The store is a maze of pralines, caramels, toffees and chocolates. Enjoy the visit.

Los Angeles: Farmers Market- Bodega & Little John's

On my way for a hot fresh donut at the Farmer's market in LA, I found two cool chocolate stores at this famed shopping center that everyone should sample if in the area. Littlejohn´s English Toffee House (http://www.littlejohnscandies.com/) in the Farmer´s Market has excellent fudge and a honeycomb chocolate candy. The English Toffee is also very good.

Bodega, http://www.bodegachocolates.com, which I have previously enjoyed at South Coast Plaza in Orange County, has opened a second unit at the fabulous new shopping center, The Grove at Farmer´s Market (Great Apple store if you haven´t seen it). Bodega has the most wonderful truffles sold as small candy bars. Classis, Hazelnut, Menthe, Dulce de Leche and Caramelo are UNBELIEVABLE. Their box sets make this a great gift.

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).