In candy land

If you loved Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you'll be as pleased as an Oompa-Loompa munching on a cacao bean to learn that selections from Dylan's Candy Bar in New York are now available in Hong Kong - the first time the brand has expanded outside the United States. Okay, the selection is not quite as interesting as Willy Wonka's Everlasting Gobstoppers, 'square candies that look round' or fizzy lifting drinks (which shouldn't be consumed outdoors, or you might float away), and there's nowhere near the 5,000 varieties of chocolates and sweets being sold at the original Dylan's Candy Bar (which also carries confectionary-related clothing, sleepware, jewellery and bath and skin-care products). The original shop - on Third Avenue in the heart of New York - is a 15,000 sqft, three-storey emporium devoted to all things sweet, and was opened seven years ago by Dylan Lauren (daughter of designer Ralph Lauren). It's since spawned smaller branches in the states of New York, Texas and Florida.

Hong Kong's branch opened about a fortnight ago and occupies just a few feet of the confectionary section of the Great Food Hall. Its 30 varieties of candy are all exclusive to the brand, and include s'mores bars (graham cracker, chocolate and marshmallow), cookies and cream bars, hot chocolate, chocolate squares, chocolate-covered pretzels, lemon and berry mints, orange citrus gums, toffee crunch bars and banana bars. All products are wrapped in bright, cheerful packaging.

Dylan's Candy Bar is at Great Food Hall, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 9986.