But did you know that the New Mexico community also is a hotbed of artisanal chocolate?

     Here are four confectioners to check out in-between gallery visits...

     * C.G. Higgins Confections - Makers of fine quality chocolate truffles, boutique caramel corns, excellent nut brittles and fine chocolate sipping drinks. If you can hold out until 4 p.m., the shop features a daily happy hour (running until 6 o'clock) with special prices on espresso, lattes and sipping chocolates.

     www.cghiggins.com

     * The ChocolateSmith - Specializes in fine dark chocolate, made fresh daily. Taste-tempting delights include toffee almond bark, Don Juan pecans, green chile pistachio bark, sea salt caramel, white chocolate lemon lavender bark and chile chocolates.

     www.chocolatesmith.com

     * Kakawa Chocolate House - The place to go for authentic Meso-American and historic European chocolate drinks, as well as intense truffles, tortes and cakes.

     www.kakawachocolates.com

     * Todos Santos - Featuring eclectic confections from around the world, this shop also offers housemade truffles and toffee. Looking for a unique gift? Check out Todos Santos' gold or silver leaf-covered chocolate Milagros.

     505-982-3855