Review: Li-Lac Signature Chocolates, Manhattan’s Oldest Chocolate House
Li-Lac, Manhattan’s oldest chocolate house, has been crafting high-quality chocolates with many varieties since 1923.
Li-Lac Signature Chocolates are handmade in small batches using the best premium ingredients and their founder’s original recipes for exceptional quality and superior taste.
The chocolates are expertly crafted using the founder’s recipes, cooking techniques and quality ingredients. The selection of chocolate (more than 120 items) is one of the largest selections of fresh gourmet chocolate in America. Every delicious item is made by hand, locally in New York City, and guaranteed for freshness.
This fine product was founded by George Demetrious, a native of Greece who studied the art of chocolate making in France, emigrated to New York and opened his shop at 120 Christopher Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. George entrusted his recipes and beloved company to Marguerite Watt, his devoted employee of 25 years. Marguerite carried on Demetrious’ high standards for chocolate making until she retired, selling the business to Edward Bond in 1978.
Ed expanded the business and introduced a few items of his own, including Mr. Bond’s Special Pralines. He also acquired a large selection of chocolate molds and designed Li-Lac’s first signature floral gift box packaging. Loyal to both Demetrious and Marguerite, Ed kept in his employ all of the devoted staff who had been working at Li-Lac since Mr. Demetrious owned the shop.
Together, Ed and his sister Martha developed new recipes– most notably the Specialty Truffles that are still a best-selling item today. Martha’s efforts were recognized in 1996, when her recipe won an award for the “Best Raspberry Truffle in the Tri-State Area.”
Today, Li-Lac Chocolates is in the care of three local New York City residents: Anthony Cirone, Anwar Khoder and Christopher Taylor. Anwar began working at Li-Lac Chocolates in 1989 and today is the company’s Master Chocolatier. Christopher has a background in finance and works behind the scenes to nurture and grow the company. Anthony is a a former executive with consumer-goods giant Unilever.
In 2014, the company built a new chocolate factory with 9,000 square feet at Industry City (Sunset Park, Brooklyn) where customers can look in through oversize windows and see the chocolate-making in action. In 2015, they opened a store on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village; in 2016 they opened another store in Chelsea Market, and in 2019 they opened a sixth store in Hudson Yards. Li-Lac also has been building its e-commerce business, shipping as far away as Saudi Arabia and Australia.
There is more competition where more chocolatiers, large and small, enter the market along with restaurants getting into the game. Jacques Torres, the New York chocolatier behind the namesake company, says Li-Lac has a special place in the city precisely because it honors the old ways.
More about the company and their products can be found at li-lacchocolates.com.
