Chocolate Bar

(4/28/09 NOTE: The Chocolate Bar has now reopened again at 19 8th Avenue.)

The West Village's loss is the East Village's gain with the relocation of Chocolate Bar, which opened on East 7th St. this week. The attractive new space has barstools and tables, so you can now linger a while. And with so many delicious chocolate goodies, both edible and drinkable, you'll definitely be tempted to stick around. (NOTE: As of March '09, the news is that the Chocolate Bar is moving back to the West Village. It will reopen on April 28 at 19 Eighth Avenue.)

Chocolate Bar is known for its smartly packaged line of chocolate bars with flavors like coconut cream pie, malted milk, raspberry jam, key lime, salty pretzel and caramel apple. Some wrappers are inspired by pop art or graffiti, and owner Alison Nelson has plans for a line of tattoo-inspired wrappers. (She cutely informed me that she got her first tattoo in the East Village, so this seems particularly apt for the new location.)

Throughout the month of July, drip coffee and espresso (all from Gimme Coffee) is 1/2 off. I paid a visit yesterday and tried the espresso egg cream (there are also black & white and hazelnut ones) and an "iced buzzed" (mocha) that knocked my socks off. I used to crave the Mocha Choka at Gimme, but the Chocolate Bar iced mocha is much more chocolatey! Store manager Jack says that he uses 64% cacao chips in this drink. I already want another one; I hope he doesn't think I'm too weird if I stop by again today.

Besides, I didn't get a brownie yesterday. And I didn't get a chocolate-covered Oreo. Or a truffle. Or a chocolate peanut butter caramel bar. Or a chocolate-chip cookie. Or a chocolate-covered graham cracker. Or... did I mention, I really want another iced buzzed?

The Chocolate Bar: 127 East 7th St., (212) 367-7182.