It's not new by any means--Fiorella LaGuardia launched it back in 1940, albeit mostly to get food hawkers off the streets--but after several years of restoration, reinvention, revitalization, the Essex Street Market on the Lower East Side has emerged as one of our favorite food-shopping destinations in town. Housed within a long, skylit space on the corner of Essex and Delancey Streets (the M15 bus gets you within a block; the M14A and the F train lets you off right in front), the indoor marketplace features more than 20 vendors selling everything from artisanal chocolates, fresh-baked bread and rare cheeses to remarkably inexpensive fish and meat, and a host of Latin American specialty-food items.

The star of this show, as far as we're concerned, is Roni-Sue's, makers of the absolute best chocolates in all of New York City (Bespoke Chocolates in the East Village is pretty great, too, but for its huge variety and overall consistent deliciousness, Roni Sue's gets the #1 nod). The homemade truffles here are impossibly rich, deep and satisfying, and there are dozens to choose from (Sour Cherry, Pecan Pie, Pistachio, Coconut, Carrot Cake, on and on) including the boozy Cocktail Collection, if that's to your liking. These are extraordinary.

Also amazing: Roni-Sue's signature Butter Crunch, available in small bags or large tins, so sweet and smooth; the sticky Caramels and the refreshing Tea and Honey Lollipops; and the Chocolate-covered Bacon, available in dark or milk, and which may, in fact, be too much of a good thing. And as if all of that weren't enough, Roni-Sue's now sells homemade pies (!!!), via First Prize Pies. There are slices and mini-pies available at the booth every Saturday--we devoured and adored the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie, and the Jay's Apple Cider Cream Pie last weekend-or you can email your 9"-pie order to Allison Kave (we are SO getting the Shoo-Fly and the S'mores next time) and come by and pick it up. For more on Roni-Sues, go here; and for First Prize pies, here. 

Saxelby Cheesemongers, which always has a remarkable collection of "American Farmstand Cheese", all made in small batches, supplied by some 30 dairies in the Northeast. We never been anything but thrilled by the cheese here, and have a special fondness for the incredibly buttery cheese curds, which are truly spectacular when melted in scrambled eggs. Bonus: owner Anne Saxelby couldn't be more helpful and friendly. And speaking of first-rate cheese, be sure to stop by Formaggio Essex, which, in addition to their excellent dairy products, also has a terrific (if expensive) selection of cured meats and other gourmet snacks.