Martinis. Gossip Magazines. Pizza for breakfast. You tend to skip straight to the good stuff.  

For that kind of instant gratification, hit up Cocoa V, a new Chelsea café dedicated to two things: wine and chocolate. Opened by the healthy, do-gooders that brought us Blossom, this cozy café (seats 24 people) serves a menu of 15 vegan wines paired with a long list of chocolates. You can order it by the bar, in a jagged piece of bark, or even a choco-bonbon-confection for the lactose intolerant. As you can imagine, all the varieties are pretty delicious, and the whole pairing gives it a sense of ceremony that makes the taste testing that much more fun.   

If chocolate isn’t your vice and you’re looking for something a little more savory, they also offer a few vegan tea sandwiches as well as NYC’s first vegan “cheese plate." According to Cocoa V owner Pamela Blackwell, “the vegan cheese has a texture very similar to brie, with an incredibly smooth flavor.” So what’s in this faux-fromage? It’s a fine puree of pulverized cashews that takes on the consistency of soft cheese. While this seems like a good idea in theory, we think it’s going to be hard sell against a menu of chalked full of wine and chocolate. 

When you go, don’t bother stopping for dinner first.  After a plate full of chocolate and few glasses of wine, you can sit back, relax and try to remember why all the sages say that all good things only come to those who wait.    

Cocoa V - 174 Ninth Ave. (20th St. and 21st Sts.)212-242-3339

Transit: C/E to 23rd St.

Price $$

Cuisine: Cafe, Dessert

Bar: Beer & Wine

Vibe: Chill