[Photo: Kathy YL Chan]

Flatiron-based Chocolat Moderne, a favorite among many chocolate aficionados, has always kept a low profile. You might have seen their chocolates in Dean & Deluca's and other specialty shops, but for the best experience, go straight to the source. They're now officially open to the public seven days a week from 12-6pm.

Tucked in the 9th floor of an office building, you'll walk straight into the production facilities where you can select from a number of freshly made bonbons ($2.50 each). The flavors are seemingly endless, but I'm currently in love with the six Japanese-inspired flavors. Imagine a caramel (center) kissed with both miso and Tamari soy sauce, umami gone sweet and haunting. There's also lime and fresh shiso leaves infused into a dark chocolate ganache (right) and another caramel number with fuyu persimmons and white peach. The caramels here are silky and slow, a sure competition to the chocolates and excellent pralines. But whatever you do, finish with the sesame praline (left) crushed into a milk chocolate ganache with chili, ginger, and a secret blend of spices.

Chocolat Moderne

27 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011 (map)
212-229-4797
chocolatmoderne.com

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