Why sugarcoat it? Feb. 14 is all about sweet displays of affection, and that often takes the form of chocolate. In fact, candy is the most gifted item for Valentine’s Day, according to the National Retail Federation. If you count yourself among the more than 90% of thoughtful souls who have said they plan to buy chocolate as a testament of their love, we have a few suggestions.
ArTea
On the hunt for that viral Dubai chocolate everyone seems to be losing their minds over on social media? This McLean tea house serves up bricks of the toasted kataifi pastry smothered in pistachio cream and tahini and dipped in chocolate. For something more Valentine-looking, there’s also chocolate cherry mousse cake (Belgian milk chocolate mousse and mascarpone cheese with a sweet cherry layer atop a gluten-free sponge cake) with two hearts on top. // 6635 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Artisan Confections
A box of chocolates may not be an unusual Valentine’s gift, but it’s nearly always a winner. This Clarendon-based candy shop specializes in decadent truffles that are nearly too gorgeous to eat, in packages built for any budget. For the sweetie in your life, a 15-piece sampler box ($34) makes a stunning presentation, and you can customize it with the flavors of your choice. // 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Clarendon)
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The Hanging Gardens Cafe
This Tysons newcomer is also on board with the Dubai chocolate craze. Valentine’s Day brings heart-shaped versions of the wildly popular confection, plus two standard sizes are always available: 1.8 ounces and 12.7 ounces. Dubai chocolate brownie cups are a new item soon to be added to the menu. // 8229 Boone Blvd., Vienna
Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
A beloved local staple for 50 years, this Best of Arlington-winning Bavarian bakery knows its sweets. For Valentine’s Day, pick up a box of beautifully colored heart-shaped truffles. Or skip the on-theme shape and get a box of assorted truffles, sold by the pound. Flavors range from milk chocolate filled with mocha nougat cream to boozy bonbons filled with Grand Marnier, Chambord or kirsch. // 2150 N. Culpeper St., Arlington
Kingsbury Chocolates
You’ve got three chances to grab a decadent dessert from Rob Kingsbury, a self-taught chocolatier who’s been catering to Arlington’s sweet tooth for 23 years. Grab a bottle of vino and a box of truffles at Pentagon City Wine (1330 Fern St., Arlington) on Feb. 7, 5-8 p.m. Or snag some fleur-de-sel caramels and a good read from the pop-up at One More Page Books (2200 N. Westmoreland St., Arlington) on Feb. 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Can’t make it to either? You’ll also find Kingsbury at Clarendon Courthouse Plaza (2200 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington) on Feb. 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Läderach
With 60 types of goodies on display, it’s unsurprising that this Swiss confectioner at Tysons Corner Center has plenty of Valentine’s Day options. Go classic with a velvet heart-shaped box filled with 36 pieces of heart-shaped chocolates, or cute with Teddy Raspberry, a pink bear made of raspberry-infused white chocolate. Also popular are the FrischSchoggi (translation: fresh chocolate) sticks of dark or milk chocolate with nuts; and FrischSchoggi hearts with caramel, almonds and dark chocolate. // 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons
Neuhaus
This chocolatier founded in Belgium in 1857 has a limited-edition Love Letter Box—a heart-shaped package featuring 15 chocolates in flavors such as Milk Heart Passion Fruit & Salted Caramel, Red Heart Coconut, and Dark Heart Banana & Pecan Nuts. Other holiday treats include a box of truffles and a half-pound of all dark chocolate candies. // 2905 Strawberry Lane, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
The Swiss Bakery
Continuing our culinary tour of Europe, this Swiss wonderland in Springfield is worth the drive, not only for its tempting display cases of house-made patisserie, but also its selection of Swiss chocolate brands you may not find elsewhere. Stock up on Ragusa Classique (milk chocolate truffle with hazelnuts); Camille Bloch Mousse Noir (dark chocolate with mousse filling); or a Cailler Femina Box filled with an assortment of pralines. // 5224 Port Royal Road, Springfield
Trade Roots
Find fair trade chocolate bars and truffles among the treasures at this global cafe and gift shop in Westover. The off-beat treats include a 70% organic chocolate bar with fennel pollen and strawberries, as well as a soy-free, four-piece Dark Chocolate Truffle Medley, which comes with one piece each of Cacao Nib & Sea Salt, Espresso Bean, Rosemary-Grapefruit and Lavender-Lemon. The store’s bestseller is a box of dark chocolate-covered salted caramels. // 5852 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)