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Los Angeles has more stores than anyone could physically tackle, but somehow we always keep returning to the usual suspects. To break out of the rut, we've asked some local shopping and fashion gurus to provide their hidden retail gems—those unique stores around LA that we might not all know about. Cue the Beatles: We're about to get a little help from our friends.
Image via Yelp
Filmmaker and author Liz Goldwyn, who used to be the New York editor of French Vogue, has made a documentary about 20th century burlesque queens (there's also a paperback version), recently traveled to Las Vegas for Chanel's ‘Numéro Privés’ exhibition, and writes for The New York Times Magazine, The Financial Times, C Magazine, The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast, among others. Her sartorial choices have been documented by virtually every magazine and blog on the planet, but the key to her heart lies inside Silver Lake's L'Artisan du Chocolat, a quaint shop that treats chocolate like an art form.
"One of my favorite hidden spots in Los Angeles is L'Artisan du Chocolat, tucked away on 1st Street off of Virgil Avenue. The woman who runs it makes the most delicious custom dark chocolates with the most amazing and unusual ingredients. Each piece has a beautiful gold leaf or painted pattern on it. My favorite flavors are the Aztec chili, sea salt caramel, lavender and rosemary; although I usually try loads before taking a box home! I think they make the best hostess gifts and I would definitely melt if a lover showed up at my door with a big box for me."
· L'Artisan du Chocolat [Official Site]
· Liz Goldwyn Films [Official Site]
· All Shopping Confidential Posts [Racked LA]