Not that a day spent roaming the department stores and other shops of New York City's Fifth Avenue is anything to complain about, but sometimes – especially during the hot summer months – Girlawhirl wishes there were more spots she could just slip into for a quick break. She needs a place to take a load off, put her bags down for a minute and just have a quick pick me up. While there are outrageous places to dine in the neighborhood, there are few places she feels comfortable popping in for a quick iced tea. But now one of her favorite shopping destinations has added the perfect spot to enjoy said break, and even better, instead of an iced tea, Girlawhirl can indulge in an iced chocolate…
What could possibly be better than shopping at Henri Bendel? Well… indulging in delicious chocolate while on a break from shopping at Henri Bendel! And now Girlawhirl can combine her two favorite activities thanks to the recently opened Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel.
Now when Girlawhirl needs a quiet respite from perusing the glamorous racks and accessories, she can head up to the 3rd floor atrium – under the shadows of the gorgeous Lalique windows – for a quick refreshment, a light lunch or even – her personal favorite – chocolate a la carte. And while on a normal day she might go for an iced coffee or tea, at the Chocolate Bar only chocolate will do, and this summer she's all about the Iced Chocolate. More like an iced hot cocoa than chocolate milk, the rich and creamy drink went down smooth and fast. She immediately fell in love.
But maybe next time she'll skip the iced drinks all together and go straight for the champagne. 
Design by Reddymade Design 2007 Fabian Birgfeld, PhotoTECTONICS
Rejuvenated and ready to go, Girlawhirl bid farewell to the hip and modern-with-a-retro-feel café and hello to the next leg of her shopping odyssey. She grabbed some takeout for the road (i.e. a variety of crazy flavored chocolate bars enclosed in cool graffiti-print wrappers) and hit the street. The only thing she couldn't tell was if she was on a chocolate or shopping high. But when both options are so fabulous, does it really matter?
Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar at Henri Bendel
712 Fifth Ave between 55th and 56th Street.
www.chocolatebarnyc.com
212 HBENDEL
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| May 22, 2006: | Shopping in New York: Fifth Avenue. read full entry |