A Chocoholic’s Dream

Imagine a place where decadence and sweet confections take over, sort of a luxurious Willy Wonka factory. It does exist and it is quickly expanding to the chicest locations in the world. Alison Nelson, opened the Chocolate Bar in 2002, with a passion for great chocolate.

Today, Chocolate Bar has risen in the ranks of luxury boutiques for its creative and exquisite presentations and confections. Among the loyal celebrities who frequent Chocolate Bar are Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others.

What makes this chocolaty shop so unique is the high quality of product, such as the cocoa and unique flavor combinations, try the “salty pretzel” or the “malted milk.” Featured on the menu are nine kinds of iced and hot chocolate, pastries, New York egg creams, fine teas and rich coffees. Looking for something really decadent? Try a sandwich made of melted dark 72 percent chocolate served on a toasted baguette and sprinkled with sea salt and dabbed of olive oil.

Once the desired chocolate has been selected, Chocolate Bar ensures that each candy bar is outfitted in graffiti-influenced wrappers, each designed by iconic New York-based artists. Talk about a two-for-one-deal. Also available are gift boxes adorned with jewelry, cocoa gift sets wrapped inside gorgeous handbags, or limited edition “chocolate bowls,” created by Jonathan Adler. You might remember him as the creative designer featured on Oprah.

This isn’t your run of the mill candy shop; Chocolate Bar exudes a rich elegance for those sophisticated kids at heart. Already winning Inc Magazine’s award for “Fastest Growing Private Company’s in America” in 2007, it is no wonder that plans have already been set in motion with Hospitality Development Company (HDC) to expand to the State of Qatar, where the first Chocolate Bar is scheduled to open in the Riviera-style man-made island, The Pearl-Qatar.

Chocolate Bar can be found in upscale locations around the world such as, New York’s Henri Bendel, Zanzabelle in Los Angeles, and London’s Soho House.