Kansas City spells chocolate A-N-D-R-É-S and savors every bite of the traditional Swiss treats sold at both André's Confiserie Suisse confectionery and tearoom south of the Country Club Plaza as well as at André's Rivaz Tearoom in Overland Park. Since André and Elsbeth Bollier emigrated from Switzerland in 1955, three generations of their family have been teaching Kansas Citians to appreciate the delicate flavors and textures of their richly layered cakes and filled chocolates. Begin your education with the simplicity of the Matterhorn (chocolate cake and buttercream layered on a butter cookie and coated in chocolate fondant). Advance to the rum ball, which is yellow cake soaked in rum, layered with rum buttercream and rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Culminate with the Black Forest Torte, chocolate cake brushed with cherry brandy, layered with vanilla and chocolate whipping cream and topped with kirsch-soaked cherries. Some cakes are available whole and some by the slice. From the candy counter, choose from dozens of types of chocolates, identifiable by their distinct shapes, colors and decorations. (Clerks behind the counter can rattle off the names and ingredients with the efficiency of an auctioneer.) Taste the pure almond essence in the marzipan, or snap the crisp coating of the raspberry truffle and let the fruity, pink ganache inside coat your tongue before it melts like butter. The tearoom resembles a Swiss chalet, with its pine furniture, family crests and beamed ceiling, and serves hearty Swiss lunches influenced by French, Italian and German cuisines. The small, prix fixe menu includes an entrée – two daily specials plus quiche Lorraine and cheese quiche – a salad, house-made rolls, a drink and a pastry. The line of diners starts early but moves quickly. During non-lunch hours, customers are free to choose a confection at the counter and eat it in the tearoom, where coffee and tea are served. Voted Best Pastries in 2007 The Pitch critics poll. No alcohol available. Main Street location serving breakfast pastries, lunch and afternoon pastries Tue–Sat. Closed Sun. Serving Mon from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Overland Park location serving from 10 am–5:30 pm Mon–Fri, 10 am–5 pm Sat. Closed Sun.