Anyone under the age of 12 probably thinks chocolate was invented at an amusement park out in PA, but diehard devotees know it dates to the Mayans, who brewed chocolate into a rich, bitter drink. Then there are the Aztecs, who believed chocolate was a gift from the god of wisdom and the secret to strength. It’s said they used cacao seeds as currency, not unlike Revolutionary War leaders who sometimes tossed a couple of chocolate nuggets to soldiers in lieu of a paycheck.
No matter how you slice it, chocolate continues to be hailed as a meal-ending must, an antioxidant-rich “health food,” a subtle aphrodisiac, and a daily indulgence for self-professed chocoholics (medical evidence suggests the struggle is real). Good thing Westchester has several chocolate shops poised to quench a craving when one hits.
Chocolations
607 E Boston Post Rd, Mamaroneck; 914.777.3600
Enter this expansive establishment on an empty stomach entirely at your own risk. Here, lawyer-turned-chocolatier extraordinaire Maria Valente offers a head-spinning bounty of chocolate treats, from bonbons, chocolate-covered Oreos, truffles, and barks to cocoa bombs, pop-hearts, and caramels.
Every last morsel is made onsite with all-natural, premium chocolate from the good ol’ U.S. “American chocolate is fresher and brighter because it hasn’t traveled so far,” says Valente.
Chocolations has a wide variety of chocolates ready for your Valentine. Choose from chocolate-dipped strawberries, covered and sprinkled Oreos, artisan heart truffles, and much more.
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Cocoa Chocolate Shop
2107A Boston Post Rd, Larchmont; 914.834.6464
In this petite space reminiscent of a darling Parisian sweet shop, blissful Belgian bark is the pièce de résistance. Within the shop’s candy pink walls, Angela Ingrao is the sweetest chocolatier serving up milk, dark, and white chocolate bark delicately dotted with sea salt, toasted coconut, crystalized ginger, peppermint candy, pretzel bits, dried strawberries, marshmallows, gummy bears, and the list goes on.
Two dozen varieties are on hand daily, each bearing names of special people and places in Ingrao’s life. Bark not your thing? It’s safe to settle for cocoa-dusted truffles, bonbons, brownies, and a to-die-for, game-changing cup of velvety hot chocolate.
La Tulipe Desserts
455 Lexington Ave, Mount Kisco; 914.242.4555
While not exclusively a chocolate shop, La Tulipe Desserts’ vast array of hand-crafted chocolate culinary art happening in this kitchen makes it worth including.
Behind the newly renovated front counter, pastry chef Maarten Steenman, his wife Frances, and their team craft exquisite, posh chocolates that feel like a gift any time of the week or year, let alone on Chocolate Day. A second-generation pâtissier from the Netherlands, Steenman trained and worked in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Norway before landing in Westchester. A lot of his chocolate experience comes from France.
Ingredients are sourced with an uncompromising eye on quality. Every piece is crafted with precision and panache in-house, from the truffles, almond brittle, and caramels to the gianduja, bars, and so much more. There’s always a delightful new creation for the holiday that’s even better to taste than it is to gaze upon – and that’s saying a lot, as these are beauties.
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Lil’ Chocolate Shoppe
15 Washington Ave, Pleasantville; 914.769.0771
On this offshoot of Pleasantville’s main drag, businesses come and go, but Annette Colasuonno’s little corner of chocolate heaven remains after 39 years. Perhaps it’s because locals never tire of her imaginative Belgian chocolate novelties for every occasion (tiny tennis racquets, baby feet, saxophones, cake candles, and opera glasses, to name just a few).
Or, maybe it’s because each day when the bell rings, she’s overrun by school kids in search of their next sugar high. “They buy everything,” she says. “I have to tell them when they’ve had enough!”
For your Valentine, consider the chocolate, heart-shaped boxes packed with sweet treats from the shop, or filled DIY with mousse, ice cream, diamonds (hint, hint), or whatever your loved one’s heart desires.
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Chocolate Works Scarsdale
450 Central Park Ave, Scarsdale; 914.246.2684
This chocolate shop is all about celebrating love. And what better way to celebrate than with a box of chocolates? The specialty is everything custom, from a custom mold of a game controller to a custom platter of chocolate-covered goodies. The shop has an assortment of romantic treats available for pickup or delivery. If you choose the latter, we recommend that you order at least a week in advance.
A bouquet of chocolate roses is the perfect two-for-one gift. Then there’s the choice of a pretzel and berry platter. There are also chocolate-covered strawberries and packages.
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Related: The Official Valentine’s Day Dining Guide for Westchester County
