1. 1. Dessert Truck

   University Pl., nr. 8th St.; 6 p.m. until late; closed Mondays

   A former Le Cirque pastry sous-chef and his business-school buddy have taken to the streets in a truck, casually dispensing nearly lethal hot chocolate and exquisitely prepared desserts as if they were chicken gyros.

2. 2. The City Bakery

   3 W. 18th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-366-1414

   What Katz’s is to pastrami, what Di Fara is to pizza, what Daniel Boulud is to paupiettes of black sea bass, the City Bakery is to hot chocolate. A superrich and tangy four-ounce shot is just enough.

3. 3. OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria

   1 Fifth Ave., nr. 8th St.; 212-995-9559

   Otto’s superb gianduja calda—a mouth-coatingly rich blend of milk and hazelnut chocolates melted with hazelnut-steeped milk—is available only during the winter.

Related:

• Archive: “Food”
• Articles by Robin Raisfeld | Rob Patronite
• Table of Contents: Dec 17, 2007 issue of New York | Subscribe!