The following posts have been split into separate threads:

Chocolaterie Wanders (Chocolaterie_Wanders)
The Cacao Tree (TheCacaoTree)
Artisan Confections (Andelman)
Artfully Chocolate (goldenticket)
A. Kirchmayr (TedE)

[Can we please support these folks? Thanks! Rocks.]

Don't take these comments TOO seriously...I only had room to taste a few pieces.

Moonstruck Chocolates: C. Portland, OR. Fancypants shapes, makes a pretty gift basket, tasty but not awe-inspiring. Not much contrast between ganache and couverture in the novelty truffles.

MarieBelle Chocolates: A. New York, NY. Following the spice trend, with small square sugar-printed pieces (although still not as pretty as Jason's!). Absolutely loved the cardamom flavor; the filling was aromatic enough to tease the nose even before the first bite.

Tumbador Chocolates: B+. Brooklyn, NY. Also small squares. Good salt-caramel pieces.

For NY:

MarieBelle is great, and has a fabulous presentation as well. Unfortunately haven't seen them much in the area.

Kee's Chocolates is a nice little shop. Everything is made in small batches, so if you get there late (as we did) there won't be much left. Very nice however.

Of course there is always Jacques Torres. Personally, I find the actual bars lackluster, but the truffles are up there among my favorites.

In the metro DC area:

Balducci's does carry a selection of Vosgues bars, with relatively decent prices. They do also have a selection of the Michel Cuizel single origin bars. Curious Grape is my stop for chocolate though. Their Valrhona single origin bars still remain my favorties.

For truffles, Dean and DeLuca has a nice selection of Christopher Norman, Chocolate Moderne and Rechhiuti truffles. They come out to ~1.25 each, which is about what they cost out in the Ferry Building of SF.

Has anyone found a shop in the area that carries Dolfin Chocolate?

Dolfin is a Belgium chocolate with fantastic flavors. My favorite is 'Hot Masala'. It's not spicy hot, but warm with cardamom, cinnamon and clove. It's fabu! I have found it online, but not at retail.

Try Biagio on 18th St. NW between Florida and T. My favorites are the pink peppercorn and the Earl Grey.

Or, if you ever get up to Baltimore, I believe they carry Dolfin at Ma Petite Chou, a sweet little store in Hampden which has shoes in the front and chocolate in the back. Very, very dangerous.

I'm pretty sure you can get it at Whole Foods.

Second that on Biagio and/or Whole Foods for Dolfin. Curious Grape in VA has some as well.

My current frou-frou favorite: No. 6

I love the Flyer bars, esp. the caramel with pecans. And I wish Kee's was closer so I could get my hands on the creme brulee flavor.

I'm preparing a special incantation even now in a desperate attempt to render your post invisible to my wife.