From decadent desserts to festive cocktails, here’s where to find some of the best Valentine’s Day delicacies in town
By Kyle Marie McMahon
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and local bakeries, cafés and restaurants are rolling out special treats to celebrate the season of love. Whether you’re craving a heart-shaped pastry, a rich chocolate indulgence or a festive cocktail to toast with your sweetheart (or besties), there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. These limited-time offerings won’t be around for long, so if you’re looking to add some extra sweetness to your February, here are 10 perfect, local Valentine’s Day delights.
Known for specializing in Mediterranean desserts and cakes, Asali always has a delicious selection of coffee and tea. For Valentine’s Day, try a festive latte, such as the red velvet, which is also available in hot chocolate form. While there, pick up one of their many special treats for the holiday of love, such as a Royal Pomegranate Dome and Red Velvet & Raspberry Macarons. Or order ahead and get a traditional gift box with a twist, like the Heart-Shaped Madeleines Box, featuring the small buttery cakes.
For a savory treat with a touch of sweet, Sassool has created two festive dishes to share. The Heartbeat Hummus takes their delicious classic and adds the sweet and earthy flavor of roasted beets. The Sweetheart Salad is an explosion of flavor and crunch with purple cabbage, red bell pepper, dried cranberries, lemon, thyme and olive oil. Pick up some pita for dipping or add chocolate-dipped figs and strawberries for something sweeter.
This mouthwatering box of chocolates offers a sampling of some of Videri’s best chocolates. The box includes 24 assorted bonbons, including Mystic Bourbon Ganache and Honey Caramel; 2 buttercream ganaches; a White Chocolate Crunch Bar with a dark chocolate base and crunchy cocoa nibs; and a Raspberry White Chocolate Crunch Bar with a dark milk chocolate base and dried raspberries. Videri is a chocolate lover’s haven, with more options available, such as the Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Hearts and a Vegan Valentine’s Gift Box.
Available all February, this delectable cake contains layers of banana sponge, passion fruit mousse, lime-scented coconut cake, raspberry jam, strawberry mousse and chocolate Sacher biscuit. Served with four chocolate-covered strawberries coated with dried strawberries and passion fruit, this treat is sure to make you fall in love.
Nothing like those chalky heart candies of our childhoods, these vanilla sugar cookies are light and moist, topped with purple, pink and green royal icing and decorated with a classic message like “Be Mine.” Each cookie is individually wrapped, so you can hand them out just like in your middle school days. The preparation process takes three days to complete, so order ahead for local pickup or shipping.
This kind of heartbreak is perfect for the holiday! This 1.5 pound chocolate heart is available in milk, dark or white chocolate. Hollowed out and filled with an assortment of their specialty chocolates, it’s ready to smash—wooden mallet included! For something a little more traditional, order some chocolate dipped strawberries or limited edition truffles such as Champagne or Cherry Blush.
Planning on a night out? Grab dinner at Hummingbird and order one of their special Valentine’s cocktails, like the Love Potion #9, made with Conniption Kinship Gin, bergamot and tonic and finished with edible glitter, grapefruit and Aperol foam. For something a little spicy, try the Shot Through the Heart, made with cognac, cherry-infused sweet vermouth and toasted hazelnut fat-washed rye.
Escazu Chocolate’s handmade micro-batch confections make for a stunning gift for a loved one. Each design is meticulously painted by hand, making this a one-of-a-kind treat. Coming in at around 3.5 inches these are filled with almond butter gianduja spiced with Ras el Hanout. Or try a Tart Cherry Heart bonbon, Coffee-Vanilla Bar or Peanut Butter-Caramel Filled Bar. Boxes of assorted chocolates are also available.
Made with local milk and cream, Geluna’s flavors are always rotating depending on what’s fresh and available. This month’s flavor is a nod to the season of love, featuring their creamy base gelato in white chocolate swirled with a fresh raspberry jam.
Known for their delectable bread loaves and croissants, Boulted Bread is offering divine pies, such as the rich and decadent Chocolate Chess. Or try the Vanilla Buttermilk for a lighter offering. Boxes of their classic pastries or cookies are also available for pickup.
