My new BFFs: 2009 Chocolate Show picks

Settle down, chocolate. I am clearly into you. I mean--have you noticed the inordinate number of posts I've already dedicated to you in the short life span of this blog (see.what.I.mean)?

But yeah, I'll admit it: sometimes I play favorites. And I know that you know that I know that that's what happened this weekend at the New York Chocolate Show. So I'll come clean; here are my five new besties. Just try to contain your jealousy.

1) Mary & Matt Chocolate Editions.

The show's most-design-y, could-totally-gets-lots-of-press-for-its-cute/cleverness chocolate. THIS is the stuff I'd buy for the cool kids. It was created by a duo who were formerly at Kate Spade, so it has a fresh-face, clean-cute chicness to it (check the chocolate pie chart--could you die?). And it tastes good, too. Mary & Matt's chocolate website goes official in a couple of weeks; in the meantime, you can catch them here.

2) Berkshire Bark: Pretzalogical. On my planet, there is no combo more deliciously dangerous than pretzels and chocolate. And this bark has a sweet-salty-crunchiness that could seriously place people like me in harm's way. Beware.

3) 2 Chicks with Chocolate: Fire & Ice Cocoa Mix.

Smart marketing: Create a great-tasting sipping chocolate, add vodka to it, pass it around the show, and feed it for free to people like me. This was the one product my three choco-cohorts and I all purchased (although, maybe it was just the alcohol).

4) Chocolove: New Peppermint in 55% Dark Chocolate. I've seen Chocolove (the one with the friendly "xoxo" logo) around my local organic food store for a while now, but this new peppermint bar is the flavor I, er, choco-loved the most. And P.S., Santa really needs to hook himself up with these guys--they're the perfect stocking stuffer for Christmas (or, perhaps...xoxomas?) (Alright, I'm stopping now.)

5) FIKA chokland.

Gorgeous truffles from an espresso bar based in NYC. I didn't get a taste, but got a lovely look that left me wanting more. Plus, they have a cool-ass name that sounds like someone either pronouncing the name of a product at IKEA or cursing in German. Hike on over to the Upper East Side (or here) to grab a bite for yourself, mein freund.

If you give a girl a cookie

When it comes to cuteness, I am willing to bet that my neighborhood could take on your neighborhood any day of the week. Take the adorable One Girl Cookies shop around the corner, for instance. I've watched it grow from a shiny little storefront with a small set of cookie collections (named after the owner's relatives and friends) packaged in well-designed boxes into a busy bakery and dessert bar, which opens up its big, welcoming front window when it's warm outside.

Each time I take the F train home, I make it a point to pass by and window shop--there's always some sort cute concoction waiting for me there. Plus, they're really yummy and they make great birthday or housewarming gifts (you don't even have to wrap them--the boxes and the bag they come in do the job for you). They even create to-die-for party favors. Order some up here or stop by and say hello (even if it's just to gaze at the sweet stuff inside) at 68 Dean Street in Brooklyn.

Image Source: One Girl Cookies