ST. LOUIS--It's part candy counter, part martini lounge. Today, Bissinger's officially unveils Bissinger's: A Chocolate Experience in the heart the Central West End here.

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This 900-square-foot location is unlike the Bissinger's other five retail stores, explained Bissinger's President Ken Kellerhals. "We're also known for innovation in the field of chocolate. This new experience will offer all the favorites from our other stores, as well as homemade desserts and small-batch chocolates that you can't experience anywhere else."

The store's decor uses rich leather, dark woods and white marble, sleek lighting, contemporary details and art.

At the helm of this new venture is Bissinger's "Chocolate Sommelier" Gretchen Morfogen. Morfogen, a trained chef and 27-year veteran of the food industry, has spent the last six months creating desserts and chocolate combinations on the menu at ACE

Desserts include Chocolate Ambush, an oversized latte mug filled with warm chocolate souffle with a vanilla bean creme anglaise, and the Mousse a Troi, a layering of Bissinger's white, milk and dark chocolate mousses with dark Chocolate Lace, Bissinger's Chocolate Cheesecake, and Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Also on the menu are fine chocolates available in multi-piece chocolate flights. Compatible wines - available by the glass or bottle, liqueurs, coffees and coffee drinks, tea, and chocolate milk are some of the beverages offered in the lounge, which has seating for 20.