Welcome to The Meadow, a scrumptious West Village newcomer stocking the world's finest chocolates, salts, syrups and bitters in a wee space on Hudson. Over 500 types of artisanal chocolate bars are beautifully wrapped and perfectly lined along the left wall -- like the sweets shops of yesteryear. It's a who's who among the single origin dark chocolate brands (all bean-to-bar, natch), with industry classics like Pralus, Michel Cluizel, Valrhona, Domori and Amade selling alongside one-off batches (Rogue Chocolatier) and rare varieties (hello $23 Bonnat Apotequil from Peru). But amateurs, fear not! There's plenty in the way of "snackable chocolates" for sale: blended dark chocolate, milk chocolate varieties, flavored chocolate, salted caramels, drinking chocolate and hot chocolate, too (there's a difference FYI!).

Once you've satiated your sweet tooth, do browse the sea salts displayed to the store's right. Proprietor Mark Bitterman and his wife Jennifer Turner established their first shop in North Portland in part "to demystify salts" and enhance cooking with them. Considering the man just published a 320 page tome called Salted: A Manifesto On The World's Most Essential Mineral, we're inclined to believe he knows a 'pinch' or two on the subject! The Meadow carries over 120 of them, from Fleur de Sel to exotics like Shinkai deep sea salt from Japan and marble-shaped lake salt from Djibouti. These don't belong in any old shaker, so check out the beautiful cellars, bowls and spoons-as well as salt and pepper mills-before hitting the register.

Rounding out The Meadow's list of things-we-love are fresh-cut flowers and vintage vases and an assortment of bitters and syrups-perfect for winter cocktails. It's a little Shangri-La for foodies and one of our fave new shops this year.

The Meadow
523 Hudson Street
(212) 645-4633
http://www.atthemeadow.com

Photos by Rebecca Prusinowski