Get Your Glutton On! Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar
Story and Photos by Nif Leder
Sugar, spice and everything nice: It’s what New York City is made of this summer.
For six delicious years, chocoholics and West Villagers in need of caffeine and cacao fixes inevitably found themselves at Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar. Now, after a woeful year of being closed, loyal lovers have traced the scent across the street to find the same great service -- the Chocolate Bar is back!
Nestled between Jane and West 12th streets on 8th avenue, Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar is again a must stop for any sweet tooth.
Still providing upscale, unique products at a surprisingly decent price, devotees benefit both from the natural chemicals found in the chocolate and from the refreshing lack of attitude that often comes with selling top-shelf chocolate.
The clientele may range up to celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker, but Nelson and her staff stay focused on cacao content and keep the charm of a small, neighborhood business intact. Their friendly, fast and efficient service makes for an excellent morning pick me up spot with no worries of making it to work on time because of a line. Customers come in and out as quickly as the baristas recall their orders, even from years ago.
"Nobody ever walks into a chocolate shop pissed off,” said veteran
barista Nora, “and being able to help and put chocolate in their mouths
is a beautiful thing.”
A few faves from our recent visit:
Salty dark chocolate pretzel bar $3.50
Chocolate caramel popcorn clusters $8.50
Liquid chocolate (their signature iced hot chocolate) $5.00
Black coconut iced tea $3.00
Brandy-infused truffles (another Chocolate Bar special!) $1.50
For a no-jitters day-starter, we've come to love the spicy hot chocolate stirred up with chili and cinnamon. The thing that keeps us up late at night, though, is Chef Gustaf Mabrouk's home-made Malomars (regular, mocha, and raspberry), nicknamed "bowlers" because they look like hats. These, thankfully, can be ordered by the box.
If you’re off on the runway or road this summer, check out the Chocolate Bar's other stores in Long Beach Island, New Jersey and Dubai -- yes, Dubai -- or treat yourself online!
