Jacques Torres Chocolate

SoHo
350 Hudson St.
at King St.

P: 212.414.2462

Dumbo
66 Water St.
between Dock/Main Sts.

P: 718.875.9772

Upper West Side
285 Amsterdam Ave.
at W. 73rd St.

P: 212.414.2462

Chelsea
425 W. 15th St.
In Chelsea Market
at 9th Avenue

P: 212.414.2462

Midtown
30 Rockefeller Plaza
at Fifth Avenue

P: 212.414.2462

The former pastry chef of Le Cirque, Jacques Torres did us all a favor by leaving an elite restaurant to bring fabulous chocolate to a bigger world. He has factories (and stores) in Dumbo and SoHo where you can watch the chocolates being made like an urban Willy Wonka, and shops on the Upper West Side, Midtown and in Chelsea Market. All the shops also have cafés where you can sip hot chocolate while trying to make up your mind which of their amazing chocolates to bring home.

What's great:

All the chocolate is artisanal, made with the best possible ingredients, and always exceedingly fresh. The combinations are both traditional and sophisticated including chocolate bunnies at Easter; chocolate covered nuts, espresso beans and pieces of ginger; classic bars in a large variety of flavors; caramel and hot fudge sauces; caramel chocolate popcorn; chocolate covered Cheerios; and unexpected combinations in their hand-made assorted bon-bons.

What to know:

They do custom favors for parties, weddings and corporate events. Call for details. And being good New Yorkers, their website, charmingly located at MrChocolate.com, also includes directions to their shops by foot and public transportation.

The Hudson Street location also has an ice cream shop.