New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [146]
MarieBelle.
The handmade chocolates here are nothing less than works of art. Square truffles and bonbons—which come in such flavors as Earl Grey tea, cappuccino, passion fruit, and saffron—are painted with edible dyes (cocoa butter dyed with natural coloring) so each resembles a miniature painting. Or relax in the Cacao Bar and Tea Salon while sipping an Aztec hot chocolate. | 484 Broome St., between West Broadway and Wooster St., SoHo | 10013 | 212/925–6999 | Subway: R, W to Prince St.
Vosges Haut Chocolat.
This chandeliered salon lined with apothecary bookshelves takes a global approach to chocolate. Many of the creations are travel inspired: the Budapest bonbons combine dark chocolate and Hungarian paprika, and the Black Pearls contain wasabi, but the most unexpected treat might be the chocolate bacon bars. | 132 Spring St., between Greene and Wooster Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/625–2929 | Subway: R, W to Prince St.
Home Decor
Armani Casa.
In keeping with the Armani aesthetic, the minimalist furniture and home wares have a subdued color scheme (gold, grays, cream, and black). Big-ticket items include luxuriously upholstered sofas and sleek coffee tables. The desk accessories and throw pillows are equally understated. | 97 Greene St., between Prince and Spring Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/334–1271 | Subway: R to Prince St.
Design Within Reach.
This sprawling SoHo store is the place to buy midcentury modern classics like Arne Jacobsen and Eames molded chairs and round Knoll pedestal tables. Newer pieces designed in-house include a chunky wood harvest table. | 110 Greene St., between Prince and Spring Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/475–0001 | Subway: F, M to Broadway–Lafayette St.
de Vera.
Owner Federico de Vera crisscrosses the globe searching for unique decorative products, so shoppers will never know what they might find here. Venetian glass vases, Thai Buddhas, and antique rose–cut diamond rings are typical finds. | 1 Crosby St., at Howard St., SoHo | 10013 | 212/625–0838 | Subway: N, Q, R, 6 to Canal St.
Kiosk.
Is it a gallery or a boutique? Duck under the neon arrow sign, head up the stairway, and you’ll come upon this novelty shop–cum–art installation. The owners travel the globe in search of locally unique, interestingly designed or packaged items, then sell their gleanings at this outpost. A new destination is highlighted every few months. You might find pipe tobacco from Massachusetts or a sled from Sweden. | 95 Spring St., 2nd fl., at Broadway, SoHo | 10012 | 212/226–8601 | Subway: R to Prince St.
Moss.
All of the products at this design store are displayed as if they are in a museum—and some of them are. Owner Murray Moss showcases cutting-edge designs from Tord Boontje, Ted Muehling, and Philippe Starck, along with limited-edition studio works from Dutch designers Studio Job and Maarten Baas. | 150 Greene St., between W. Houston and Prince Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/204–7100 | Subway: R to Prince St.
Pylones.
It’s hard to beat Pylones for crazily cheerful products. Utilitarian products like toasters and thermoses have been given makeovers of stripes or flowers, hairbrushes have pictures of frogs or ladybugs on their backs, and pepper mills are turned into pirates. TIP There are plenty of fun gifts for less than $20, such as old-fashioned robot toys and candy-color boxes. | 69 Spring St., between Crosby and Lafayette Sts., SoHo | 10012 | 212/431–3244 | Subway: 6 to Spring St.
Room & Board.
Fans of streamlined, midcentury modern furniture will be in heaven here. This location, one of only a handful in the country, is stocked with sleek sofas, beds, and other pieces of furniture that look like they could have been designed by the Eames Brothers. Instead, it is all new and comes with a relatively affordable price tag.