Formerly: Put together “chocolate” and “cafe,” and you have guaranteed happiness for most of the women and quite a few men we know, too. Moonstruck has set up these small islands of delicious respite in other parts of the country, most of them in Oregon, but this location is the only one in Chicago. Here you’ll find a fantastic array of truffles, two of the most popular being the Mayan, rolled in sugar and cinnamon, and the Ocumarian, consisting of pure dark chocolate from the Ocumare valley in Venezuela. Other delectables, like brownies and small cakes, await you in the glass cases.

But Moonstruck’s real treats are the hot chocolate drinks and ice cream shakes. These incorporate yummy chocolatey goodness in ways you wouldn’t expect. Sweet offerings include chocolate and mango in the Mango Tango Shake; chocolate, crunchy chips and peppermint in the Mint Tingle Shake; and hot chocolate with steamed milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and almon in the Mexican Hot Cocoa . Magnificent Mile shoppers and tourists dominate the Moonstruck on weekends, so come mid-week if you can and revel in the delicacies without being jostled by crowds.

Centerstage Reviewer: Abigail Derecho