Best chocolate in the world is . . . here?

Travel + Leisure has a slide show with its picks for the 10 best new sweet shops. Click through and the show lists shops in Scotland, Switzerland, Mexico and . . . Raleigh?

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/best-new-sweet-shops

Yep, the pink peppercorn flavor at Raleigh's new Videri Chocolate Station is No. 9. (I was expecting the stellar Escazu, but apparently it's not new enough). If you're over in Raleigh, get a taste of Videri at 327 W. Davie St., across from the restaurant The Pit. And go by Escazu, too, on 936 N. Blount St.

Secret Chocolatier will be less secret

Fans of Bill Dietz' truffles at the Secret Chocolatier won't have to search for him just at local farmers' markets soon. Andy Cordia, Dietz' son-in-law, has announced that the family has signed a lease at Providence Plaza, at Providence and Sharon Amity, to open a retail shop this spring.

The plan is to be open in time for Easter and Passover.

Robin Cordia, Dietz' daughter and a co-owner of the business, says they won't drop their farmer's market booths.

"Our farmers market customers were a bit worried when they learned we were setting up shop, but why would we drop the markets? We love being a part of the spirit at Atherton Mills and Market, Matthews Farmers Market and the farmers market at Yorkmont."

When the shop is open, hours are expected to be 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.