Ah yes, Valentine’s Day is coming, a day many loooove to hate. But here’s the bright side: Whether you’re single or coupled up, anyone can appreciate delicious sweets. And hey, you can buy them for a friend, yourself, and your sweetie. And since this is San Francisco, we’re not just talking about the traditional box of chocolates, folks. Here are some special ways to get a sugar high, and maybe even a kiss.
On Thursday February 14th, be sure to come by Rare Device on Divisadero to pick up a special Valentine’s Day macaron box from Le Dix-Sept patisserie, with flavors like chocolate and Espelette, ginger-apple, and coconut creme with dark chocolate. 3–8pm. Worried they will be all gone? Email them here to pre-order your box. 600 Divisadero St. at Hayes, 415-863-3969.
A box of pink, white, and red macarons are pretty irresistible, especially when they come in flavors of Tahitian vanilla bean, lychee-rose, and raspberry confit. You can visit Tout Sweet Pâtisserie on Union Square for a box, plus there will be heart-shaped cakes for two (or one, if you want to eat your heart out in bed while catching up on episodes of "Girls").
William Werner at Craftsman and Wolves is having fun with his Love Cubes ($7 each), with messages like “Hot Lips” and “XOXO” on them–they may talk like the classic candied hearts, but they’re actually mini vanilla cream cheesecakes, with blood orange curd and lime. Feeling saucier? There’s the “morning-after box,” with tea, treats like lavender-vanilla shortbread, and a little love note, all packaged very nicely ($50).
Swing by Baker and Banker in Pacific Heights for their annual Valentine's day treats, specifically their "conversation heart" cakes that say "hugs" (perfect for your platonic pals) and "kisses" (for your main squeeze)–you can take a peek here.
Want to drink your sorrows? Or maybe get a little tipsy with your date? Swing by Blackbird Bar on Thursday February 14th, when you can enjoy cocktails along with some caramels made by local confectioner Barbary Brix. They will be popping up from 6–10pm, selling quarter-pounds of their caramels for $10 (like the Morning Glory, with maple and bacon–uh huh). 2124 Market St. at Church, 415-503-0630.
As far as boxes of chocolates go, this one is hard to beat: IfOnly.com has a special box of chocolates featuring gorgeous truffles from nine different Michelin-starred Bay Area chefs, including Michael Mina, Dominique Crenn, Matthew Accarrino, and Gary Danko. The box is $100 including express shipping, and all the proceeds benefit Share Our Strength. Now that’s sweet.
