Li-Lac Chocolates

Greenwich Village
40 Eighth Ave.
at Jane St.

P: 212.924.2280

Midtown
Grand Central Market
Lexington Ave. at E. 43rd St.

P: 866.898.2462

Industry City
68 35th St.
between 2nd/3rd Aves.

Greenwich Village
162 Bleecker St.
between Sullivan/Thompson Sts.

Chelsea Market
75 9th Avenue
at W. 15th St.

While others may praise some artisanal new-comers to New York's chocolate hall of fame, Li-Lac is my absolute favorite chocolate maker.  They still use old-fashioned hand-dipping methods and keep traditional flavors in their collection.  Like hand-made peppermint patties, fudge, chocolate covered caramels, and my favorite, the bittersweet chocolate-covered orange peels.

What's great:

It's fine to lust for imported champagne truffles, but I consider Li-Lac to be the center of the candy universe.  It's worth a journey to buy your holiday candy here or even for just a treat.  At Easter they sell artisanal pectin jelly beans that will put you off Jelly Babies forever -- they actually have flavor in addition to being sweet.  The store's packaging can be quaint but in a way that's charming and fun.  Prices aren't stratospheric, making it easy to expand your selections (and waistlines). 

The store was founded in 1923.

What to know:

The main store is in the Village with stores also in Chelsea Market, in the Grand Central Market, and a second Greenwich Village shop on Bleecker Street.  Its factory is in Brooklyn.

The Brooklyn factory also has a shop but it's closed on Sundays.