Teuscher

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Given its Rockefeller Center location, Teuscher (pronounced toy-sure) might be mistaken for an overpriced tourist magnet, but local connoisseurs and international visitors prize the Swiss chocolatier’s confections. With impressive displays—swags of seasonal flowers and foliage crowd the petite shop—and luxury packaging, find crepe-paper and foam animals, clowns, and fairy-tale characters, each with a hollow hold for sweets. One green box becomes a frog prince, complete with jaunty foil crown; a yellow sphere forms the body of a gangly giraffe. But appearances aside, one taste of the rich, velvety stuff makes it clear that quality is paramount. A glass case along the back wall holds chocolates by the piece, including champagne truffles with golden centers and tri-colored, hazelnut chocolate giandujas. Gourmands will also find chocolate bars laced with chili or pink peppercorns, glistening fruit jellies, and traditional Swiss cookies. The company flies more than 100 varieties of sweets, all additive- and preservative-free, in weekly from Zurich to ensure freshness. Orders placed at the shop can be delivered directly to customers, safeguarded with ice packs for an extra charge—although the best anti-melting strategy is to simply eat your purchases on the spot. — Karen Quarles