[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

The interior of Michel Cluizel on 5th Avenue is somewhat gaudy, with its gold and dark browns. I'm not a great fan of his bon bons and chocolate bars (especially when La Maison du Chocolat is around the corner!), but I make an exception for his cakes. Above is the Praline Mousse ($6), a two-component creation with chocolate mousse and a praline base. You need both elements in every bite—the praline crushed into tiny pieces and blended with melted chocolate, a nutty and delicate crunch. The mousse is like a ganache, a buttery smooth creation that literally melts on the tongue. You'll find them at the very back of Michel Cluizel, where these sweets are unceremoniously tucked away near the register.

Michel Cluizel

584 5th Avenue, New York NY 10036 (map)
646-415-9126
cluizel.com

About the author: Originally from Honolulu, Kathy YL Chan writes A Passion For Food, where she chronicles her eats and travels adventures between Hawai'i, New York and beyond. She firmly believes that there is always room for dessert.