Norwalk, Connecticut's Knipschildt Chocolatier is one of the most prominent young confection companies in the country, an independent empire run by Fritz Knipschildt, a handsome Danish chef who combines his background in fine dining with a boundary-breaking flair for sweets. Knipschildt's individual chocolate pieces are named after women, such as the Stacy (white chocolate with cardamom ganache), Carrie (crunchy mocha nougatine), Hannah (burnt caramel with Hawaiian sea salt), Donna (dark chocolate and currant with edible gold leaf), Rosa (rose truffle with rose petal), and Kelly (strawberry lemon thyme). They're all a treat for the eyes as well, miniature art pieces bedecked in edible finery. At Chocopologie Cafe, his adjacent eatery, you can take the chocolate theme even further into unexplored territories, such as escargot with beurre chocolat and garlic bread, or just enjoy savory offerings such as salads, sandwiches, and breakfast plates without chocolate. It's the perfect place to go wild, or stick with more familiar fare.

Knipschildt is an easy and short drive from your stay at Four Points by Sheraton Norwalk, so there's no excuse not to dive into this chocolate wonderland and pick out some gifts for your loved ones. Knipschildt is also easily accessible from New York City, about an hour train-ride, with the shop and cafe located mere blocks from the train station. What are your favorite chocolatiers in the world? Please tell us about them in the comments below.