443395 Fri Sep 21 06:46:02 -0700 2007 10 18 Manhattan 0 2962448 I'm looking forward to sampling the fine artisan chocolates that I know have become prevalent in the city however, I don't live there. Would anyone like to fill me in the best local chocolatiers? Fri Sep 21 06:46:02 -0700 2007 123887 loveinmytummy 1 2962453 My first choice would be Kee's, on Thompson Street in Soho. Fri Sep 21 06:47:04 -0700 2007 2962448 10985 MMRuth 2 2962465 Thank you. I found some posts from July and Kee's appears to be a favorite. What do like most at Kee's. Anything I shouldn't miss? Fri Sep 21 06:52:12 -0700 2007 2962453 123887 loveinmytummy 3 2962476 The nut truffles - almond, pistachio, pine nut. The creme brulee filled chocolate. But it is hard to go wrong there! I find the best time to go is early afternoon - the most variety - if you go too early, some varities won't be made yet, and if you go too late, they'll be gone! Edit - http://www.keeschocolates.com/cho.html - you can see a lot of the varieties here. Blood orange is also v. good, as is the key lime. Fri Sep 21 06:53:36 -0700 2007 2962465 10985 MMRuth 4 2962699 Second the blood orange. Also the black sesame, earl grey, lemongrass. All are pretty amazing, make sure you don't let them sit around for too long, the beauty is that they're made fresh every day! Fri Sep 21 08:11:29 -0700 2007 2962476 51699 jsgjewels 4 2962715 2nd the creme brulee. I also like the sea salt and the basalmic vinegar. Fri Sep 21 08:15:35 -0700 2007 2962476 10936 kathryn 5 3098309 Oh I love the balsamic vinegar chocolates at Kee's Mon Nov 05 18:00:49 -0800 2007 2962715 51406 pellegrino31 3 3098102 Not-to-be-missed: Passionfruit, Mango Green Tea Great: Raspberry, Pignoli, Green Tea, Tiramisu, Thai Chili, Mousse Not-so-great: Lavender Her raspberry macaron is to-die-for. Kee's only makes macarons once or twice a week.. I got mine on a Thurs afternoon, but they almost sold out by then, so go early! http://misschopsticks.blogspot.com/2007/10/kees-chocolates.html Mon Nov 05 16:47:08 -0800 2007 2962465 140529 misschopsticks 1 2962694 Jacques Torres is impressive. I don't know if it's the best. Between 6th Avenue and Varick, around Houston Street. A nice plus, Mr. Torres and his sons make the chocolates in a glass enclosed workspace. Watching them work is a lot of fun. Fri Sep 21 08:10:31 -0700 2007 2962448 99325 batterypark 1 2962741 My shortlist would be: 1. Kee's (truffles and the like, macarons). A smaller selection and no chocolate bars or dipped things but it's very well edited and super fresh. Must be consumed within a day or two. Nowhere to sit though. 2. La Maison du Chocolat (they're from Paris, though) (hot chocolate, ice cream, macarons). The truffles, etc. are from Paris but they make the ice cream on site. There are some tables and chairs here to enjoy your treats as well as an espresso/hot chocolate bar. 3. Jacques Torres (hot chocolate, cookies, bars, lots of chocolate dipped treats). It looks like Willy Wonka inside with lots of machinery and glass windows. They also have a espresso/chocolate bar. It's fun to hang around Jacques Torres for a little while. Very, very large selection of chocolate items and his other stuff keeps longer, and is well packed (perfect to give as gifts back home). HOWEVER, Jacques and Kee's are relatively close to one another (one in Soho, one in Tribeca). La Maison is in Rockefeller Center. If location is important, you can visit some of the other chocolatiers in Soho like Marie Belle and Vosges, but I think that Kee's quality outshines them all, if you're looking for truffles and chocolate confections. Fri Sep 21 08:21:04 -0700 2007 2962448 10936 kathryn 2 3098546 1. La Maison du Chocolat 2. Richart 3. Teuschers - for the Champagne truffle Mon Nov 05 19:41:40 -0800 2007 2962741 109681 LolaNYC