This urbane storefront cafe at first glance appears to have an identity crisis: Is it a chic chocolate shop or a cozy neighborhood coffee joint? Turns out, Let Them Eat Chocolate aims to be both, offering an unexpectedly harmonious pairing of elements.

The cafe's stylish decor seems potentially daunting for visitors used to settling down with a cup of coffee and a laptop. The interior features dark leather chairs and couches and a fireplace with a hand-crafted mosaic panel. Along the back wall is a shelf stacked with ribbon-garnished candy boxes. A brightly lit glass case filled with pastries and pyramids of dainty chocolates greets visitors at the counter. However, the approachable staff is quick to invite guests to linger and enjoy live music (usually booked on the weekends), or to sample a pastry or two.

Former Bay Area restaurant owner Deborah Gregory-Voss opened the cafe to bring her love of authentic European chocolates to the Chicago area. While she's coy about revealing the supplier of her Belgian-imported chocolates ($1.75 per piece, $15 for a box of nine), she is happy to disclose that all of her candies are free of preservatives, and that much of her assortment is vegan, in part to accommodate lactose-intolerant foodies.

Dairy fans shouldn't be scared away by that last bit, though. The fruit-filled vegan chocolates, in flavors like pear and lemon, are surprisingly rich and decadent. One non-vegan stand out is the cappuccino caramel chocolate. Surrounded by white chocolate, it has only a hint of coffee taste while the caramel is milky-sweet but not at all cloying.

Diners looking for something more substantial have a choice of panini ($6.95, which includes a free truffle) and a selection of pastries, many of which are shipped from Swedish Bakery. In warmer months, try the knockout gelato, particularly the banana caramel, which tastes like the upscale answer to Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Keidra Chaney