From Gothamist Contribute comes the following tip: "Max Brenner's on 2nd ave and 9th street is closed for good. I showed up to work this morning and half an hour later I was out. Not a huge loss to the community, but it's something." A Max Brenner worker answering the phone this afternoon confirmed that the store has indeed closed. Despite the idea that chocolate sales might actually improve during a recession, Brenner's free flowing chocolate fondue fountains have slowed to a trickle on Second Avenue; his hazelnut-caramel calliope is likely just as kaput. The Feedbag discovered a few weeks ago that the fictitious and so-called "Bald Man," a composite of the chain's two founders (one of whom is bald), has nonetheless been giving interviews in Australia. Made up or not, it seems Brenner may ultimately prove to be some kind of Danielle Steel of the cocoa bean: the Second Avenue location may have now closed, but the chain will publish its first cookbook in November, and it's all about chocolate rhapsody and purple prose. The "Bad Boy Chocolate Pizza" recipe not only features "passionately roasted marshmallows," but also recipe notes about "the infinite essence of life." more ›

">Bruni goes to Max Brenner, the fictional chocolatier (chain is owned by two businessmen, Max Fichtman and Odel Brenner). Awards no stars, calls it "a mass market endeavor as gimmicky as Planet Hollywood. It’s Planet Valrhona, a vaux artisanal juggernaut." He tries the non-dessert offerings; finds them weak. Then it’s on to the desserts, which "lack the richness or sharpness that great chocolate has." more ›

This week'sNew York Magazine wraps up some of the city's best cups of hot chocolate -- you know, the kind that drinks like a meal. Their top choice, the decadent cup at City Bakery ($2), is rich enough to make even the most passionate chocolate lover feel close to overdose levels (don't forget that February is the month where they feature a new hot chocolate flavor every day). Other mentions include the gianduja hot chocolate at Otto Enoteca Pizzeria ($4.50), which is creamy, infused with hazelnut, and served with delicious shortbread cookies. Other standouts include chocolatiers Marie Belle, Jacques Torres, and Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man. Did they leave any off the list, in your opinion? more ›

While others are writing year end lists about their favorite restaurant openings (yeah, we know, A Voce, Little Owl, Boqueria), we thought we'd do something a bit different and highlight some of your favorite posts of the year. These are the food posts that either got you so riled up that you felt the need to put in your two cents in the comments or that, for whatever reason, you wanted to recommend to others. more ›

Chocoholics rejoice! Last night Gothamist finally spied signs of elf-like movement in the new 2nd Avenue branch of Max Brenner Chocolate by the Bald Man as a sign posted on the front door slated a November 27th open-to-the-public date. Cookies were piled high, chefs roaming the premises, and the vats of chocolate were actively churning. Now East Villagers can satiate their chocolate cravings even faster and more often, without even having to walk all the way to the original Union Square location, which opened its hub of chocolate culture to the masses in late July. more ›

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-- Is it wrong to wear a puppy as a fanny-pack? Discuss. more ›

The churning vats of chocolate, cocoa powders in a trifecta of shades, and towers of nougat can only be likened to the magical world of Willy Wonka. Max Brenner Chocolate by the Bald Man opened at 5 p.m. yesterday to ecstatic crowds of sugar-hungry passerby, with friendly servers doling out free samples of caramelized pecans coated in nougat and cocoa powder, and tables in the cafeteria-sized dining room quickly filling up. more ›