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).