Italian Chocolatier And Gelato Shop Open Sweet New UES Spot

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The ground floor of a new ultra-luxury building is filled to the brim with European sweet imports.

First came Parisian patisserie, and now, Italian chocolate, with the Italian chocolate and gelato maker Venchi opening their fifth city location at 1117 Lexington, near East 78th Street, completing a sweet foundation for the swanky new luxury building..

Gone are the days of humble domestic brands like Starbucks Coffee dutifully serving caffeine drinks and snacks.

Today's residents of 150 East 78th St. — where the 25 units inside its 16 floors are going for an average price of $10 million — will instead find a bevy of old world treats at the base of their Robert A.M. Stern-designed building.

Last week it was world-famous, not quite as old, French patisserie, Angelina Paris, known for their tasty $11 hot chocolates, who opened just next door.

But this time, it's their neighbors to the south (literally).

Since 1878, the Northern Italian chocolate maker has churned out all-natural, palm-oil free chocolate treats, hot chocolate (an invitation for a taste test) and iconic chocolates like chocoviar, truffles, gianduiotti, cremini, pistachio and hazelnut. Also, they just have a regular-old chocolate bar, too.

The brand also carries 90 signature gelato flavors and 350 chocolate recipes, so chances are you won't find their chocolates easily replicated elsewhere.

All that's left to do is find your new favorite sweets at East 78th Street and Lexington Avenue.