Growers and Grocers

Punk Rock Cabinet de la Meridienne, Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar – located on the third floor atrium of Bendel’s – is the perfect respite for fair trade organic tea and single origin fair trade truffles.

After an exhibit at MoMA, a visit to the polar bears at the Central Park Zoo, or window shopping at Tiffany’s, Chocolate Bar’s youthful, sexy candy, luxurious energy, wonderfully matching Henri Bendel’s own, is a treat. Designed by Reddymade Design, the space has influences from the film “Marie Antoinette” with a possible aesthetic of Wes Anderson – and is described by Alison Nelson as “inspired by the classic ladies salon with a dose of humor.”

A former baker with a warm personality, Ms. Nelson describes the history of Chocolate Bar: “A friend of a friend who worked in advertising financed Chocolate Bar,” originally in the West Village, “we opened six years ago. His initial investment paid off in two years and he returned to advertising. Beginning in 2006, Bendel’s approached us, we sent a proposal, and opened in May 2007.”

Well informed, ethical, with an activist’s outlook, she supports local artists, including creating a chocolate bar line to champion CBGB’s before they closed, as well as, Graffiti Bar, with labels designed by New York City bred artists – a portion of the proceeds of these Grafitti artist designed bars benefits the children’s arts organization: All Stars Project. Alison works with independent and often local designers and suppliers.

Arrive in the late afternoon or early evening, escaping the perennially packed lunch (which has table service all the way around the atrium.) Choose between sitting on the white leather banquette overlooking the Rizzoli fashion book boutique – browsing you will discover impossible to find or simply au courant titles such as “The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957”, Taschen’s divinely researched “Paris, Hotels & More,” or perhaps “Paris 1962: Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior: The Early Collections” – or sit behind the spa fabric covered wall hiding a private semi-circular corner banquette. Three petit round cocktail tables with pop art by Stencil1, created originally by Ed Roth for two labels of the Stencil Bars, accompany the white truffle table, inspired by Sofia Coppola’s film, and designed by Alison. Ladies classic hand mirrors arranged below a faux Louis XVI wall mirror adorn the Marie Antoinette blue walls with appropriately gold and silver vinyl’s by blik.

Lighting includes a vintage 1940’s chandelier, and green niche modern spherical light fixtures above the bar. The brown marble bar has bronze glass mirror below – matching the inlay of the front banquette’s square wooden tables with shiny chrome legs – and gold leather bar stools made by the same company as the Italian brown wood chairs by the atrium, as well as the exterior white leather tulip chairs.

An Andersonion aesthetic can be found in character specific quirky touches such as “girl related” trophies – all antique and for achievements in girl scouts, dance, and “Best Young Bird in Show, 1937” as well as equestrian objects, a riding hat, horse sculpture, and books on the subject. Finally, orange girls boxing gloves complete the ironic expression.

Two nearly floor to ceiling windows with white wooden trim and gold accents face Fifth Avenue, and a wall of glass with black metal and gold provides the boundary between the boutique and the atrium. A glimpse into the Frederic Fekkai Salon on the fourth floor can viewed from the bar.

Of the varied menu, printed in the signature blue, which notably includes Sofia sparkling wine, Chocolate Bar’s tea and truffles make for the most green and worthy effort.

The organic fair trade tea is created by Serendipity with single origin Ecuadorian fair trade chocolate truffles by Gustaf Mabrouk. Ms. Nelson defines single origin as “all beans come from Ecuador, or any one country,” and fair trade as “fair payment and fair healthcare.” Environmentally and socially conscious while being toxin free and antioxidant rich, tea and truffles are indulgent but intelligent.

Twelve flavors include Gucio (infused with brandy), caramel, rum, vanilla milk, raspberry, twelve kinds of spice, plain dark chocolate, and pb & j – which is black with a baby blue skull and crossbones silk screened on top.

Chocolate Bar Chai: organic and fair trade

Clove, cinnamon, mint, chocolate, vanilla, and organic black tea – heavenly, light, with a creamy chocolate taste, almost white chocolate, evoking a childlike feeling reminding one of new snow.

Dark Coconut Tea: organic and fair trade

Organic black tea blend with organic coconut – wonderful when iced, naturally sweet with no sugar added and a distinctive coconut taste, distinctly fresh.

Gucio truffle: 65% cacao with brandy infusion, single origin fair trade chocolate:

Dark brown square with crunchy cacao nib garnish, a hard shell, thick, creamy, melting ganache interior. Slightly bitter center surrounded by a sweet, sophisticated shell – overwhelmingly intoxicating.

Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Avenue
3rd Floor Atrium
New York, NY 10019
212.582.8283
www.chocolatebarnyc.com

Monday – Saturday 10AM-8PM
Sunday 12PM-7PM

Hot and Iced Tea: $3.50
One Truffle: $1.50
Truffle Plate: $4.50
Glass of Sofia: $9.00

*The new East Village location, replacing the original in the West Village, will open shortly at 127 East 7th Street between First Avenue and Avenue A.

Tea and Truffles available online: www.chocolatebarnyc.com

Reddymade Design: www.reddymadedesign.com

Pop art by Stencil 1: www.stencil1.com

Gold and Silver vinyl’s by Blink: www.whatisblik.com/

Available at Rizzoli Henri Bendel:

Paris, Hotels & More by Angelika Taschen

The Golden Age of Couture: Paris and London 1947-1957 by Claire Wilcox (Editor)

Paris 1962: Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior: The Early Collections by Jerry Schatzberg (Photographer)