City revels in dark art of chocolate

Our enduring love of chocolate has spawned an army of stand-alone Sydney stores in recent years. And chocolatiers are getting ever-more creative.

At the new MakMak shop at 601 King Street, Newtown - the innovative macaron producer with flavours including hot cross bun and gin, tonic and blood orange - there is a new creation made with Belgian milk chocolate ganache with smoked vanilla and peanut praline folded through it.

Chocolate is also edging its way into the art world. Gladesville store ChocolArts has opened a city outlet, at 75 George Street, The Rocks. It looks like a gallery as much as a chocolate shop, and, if it can bring out a range of designer high heel shoes made of chocolate, the Easter bunny will be a cinch.