Old school chocolate heart boxes can be specially made for your valentine at Shane Confectionery in Old City. Photo courtesy: Shane Confectionery
You’ve put in your order for a dozen red roses, but one critical element is still missing from your Valentine’s Day gift line-up: chocolate.
Ditch the Whitman’s sampler and capitalize on the incredible bounty of local treats from Philly sweets shop which are guaranteed to make your sweetheart’s tastebuds do a back flip. Whether they’re craving decadent truffles, old-fashioned fudge or chocolate-dipped bacon, there’s something for everyone in Philadelphia.
Check out our top picks for Valentine’s Day chocolate in Philadelphia, below:
• Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates: Midtown boutique Verde is home to Marcie Blaine Artisinal Chocolates, where Chef Marcie Turney churns out chocolates made from locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. Exotic spices make their way into the chef’s popular boxed chocolates, while creamy caramels and barks combine the earthy flavor of cocoa with nuts, dried fruit, granola and the occasional sprinkling of sea salt.
• Shane Confectionery: Old City’s newly reopened Shane Confectionery delivers a taste of the past with house-made, old fashioned confections that continue the American candy-making traditions of the early 20th century. Gift your sweetie with taffies and buttercreams made from century-old recipes, or opt for something more modern, like chocolate dipped bacon.
• Philly Chocolate: At this Walnut Street chocolate shop, your traditional gourmet boxed chocolates and decadent desserts are displayed alongside imaginative delights, like rice cereal treats, Oreos, Twizzlers and Swedish Fish, all drenched in white, milk or dark chocolate.
• John & Kira’s: Whether you choose John & Kira’s best-selling 28-piece Valentine’s Day Chocolate Box, or decide on their hand-painted chocolate bees and lady bugs, your sweetheart’s tastebuds will be tickled by the confections’ sustainably harvested ingredients, some of which are sourced locally. You can also pick up John and Kira’s Chocolate Covered Cherries at Di Bruno Bros.
• Lore’s Chocolates: With more than 100 varieties of chocolate piled high under the glass at Lore’s Chocolates, you may have a hard time deciding on just one. Our advice: Take home a little bit of everything, or ask for a sample, and allow your tastebuds to do the decision-making for you.
• Betty’s Speakeasy: Tucked into Philadelphia’s Graduate Hospital neighborhood, Betty’s has become a must-stop for fudge lovers. Using her grandmother Betty’s original fudge recipe, owner Elizabeth Begosh has crafted over 43 different varieties of fudge (although not all 43 are available everyday). Surprise your valentine with a selection of fudge or one of Betty’s superb cupcakes.
• Chocolate by Mueller: Put a smile on their face with Chocolate by Mueller’s fun molded confections, like anatomically-correct hearts, brains, and noses crafted from yummy, rich chocolate. This Reading Terminal Market vendor also makes more traditional offerings, like fruit and nut clusters, turtles, and a large selection of sugar free treats.
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