To the French, April 1 is Poisson dAvril. The idea is generally the same as April Foolsto play practical jokes on othersbut they do so by attaching fish to unsuspecting others backs ( la a kick me sign).But what really interests me about the French interpretation of the holiday are the chocolates everyone gets to celebrate. You can find dime store bags of molded fish, clams, seahorses and the likeeither in milk, dark or white chocolate. But the top-notch chocolatiers also get in on the fantasy and fun.Indeed, these are Patrick Rogers molded chocolates. And here are some beauties from Jean-Paul Hevin. Youll notice this poisson de bon thon is 28 eurosa $37 chocolate fish. Your neighborhood patisseries offer less expensive treats. They just dont have same omigod factor as the masters.

I'd heard about Food Emporium's vast Chocolate Shop and yet couldn't bring myself to believe it would be anything extraordinary. Since I'm the first to admit when I'm wrong, I must admit: I was wrong. Very, very wrong. This place is chocolate heaven. Of course the two bars I was looking for weren't there (Vosges Enchanted Mushroom and Zotter Horse's Milk and Berries - don't ask). But seemingly everything else is. Fauchon, Michel Cluizel, Dolfin, Vere, Galler, Chuao, Chocolove, Scharffen Berger, Cote d'Or, El Rey, Valrhona, Michael Recchiuti, Dagoba, Amedei chocolate heaven, for sure.(Hi, Adrienne!)1175 Third Avenue between 68th and 69th

Rachel and Gil are ready! The city was kind enough to finally hand over those permits so us chocoholics can get our fix at the lovely new Bespoke Chocolates . All I have to say is: get ready, people.These truffles are some of the best I have ever eaten (though Mr. B's birthday bonbons were pretty crazy, and I still put Kee's on a pedestal, and then there was Paris ). But. But, but, but. The strawberry balsamic truffle is made with strawberry puree, eight-year-old La Vecchia Dispensa Italian balsamic vinegar and 66% dark chocolate. Then it's dusted with freeze-dried strawberry powder. Heaven. A simple 70% Columbian dark chocolate truffle (pictured here) is impossibly creamy a real melt-in-your-mouth gem.And Rachel's signature pretzel-covered sea salted caramel is crazy, with crackly, salty pretzel bits coating the chocolate shell and caramel center. Insler suggests popping the whole thing in your mouth since its really liquidy caramel inside. As amazing as these truffles are, I can't wait until they unveil their homemade hazelnut spread (better than Nutella ?!) and chocolate bars.6 Extra Place off First Street, between Bowery and 2nd Ave212.260.7103

Just as I was reminding Alex that we're six days out to City Bakery's month-long Hot Chocolate Festival, I got a message from Maury: the festival not only starts a day early, but is staying open late to celebrate.The 17th annual festival kicks off this Saturday, the 31st, at the normal opening hour of 7:30 a.m. But just in case you're too busy shopping sales, catching the Oscar nominations , taking in Marlene Dumas at Moma, or sleeping off Friday night's soires, City Bakery will remain open until midnight in celebration of the festival. Thats 16 hours of decadent hot cocoa, followed by a month of experimental flavors like banana peel, beer, ginger, caramel and, Maury's favorites, bourbon and vanilla bean. What's more, they're introducing "Lights Out Hot Chocolate" this year. Every day at 3 o'clock, the mezzanine lights go off and the candles get lit creating not only a moody way to sip your cocoa, but also a sweet way to save energy. How do you like that, Mr. President ?3 West 18th Street between Fifth and Sixth Aves212.366.1414