This Valentine’s if you have a true chocolate lover in your life so those drug store chocolates are just not going to cut it. Thankfully Vancouver is full of chocolate experts who have fortunately crafted amazing creations that will help you win your way into anyone’s heart. and we’ve rounded them up here. Wow that sounds corny. Ah Valentine’s Day; always a bit corny.

First up our our pals at East Van Roasters. Not only are they crafting bean to bar chocolate while supporting and training to the women residents of the Rainier Hotel and other downtown Eastside housing initiatives, but there chocolate and coffee is truly delicious. Our Valentine’s Chocolates offerings:
~ Buddhas in a box with Mayan Spiced Ganache centres
~ Truffle Boxes with Morello Cherry Heart Truffles & Mayan Spiced Truffles
~ Valentine Chocolate Bars (Hot Toffee) & (Pistachio Rose)
~ Heart Box with a selection of 6 different truffles and mendiants

Next we have Chocolate Arts where I just made some chocolates of my own – that’s mine in production first below. Great courses there if you ever want to try your hand at chocolate making. Pictured below are the amazing chocolates they have created for Valentine’s Day. Don’t you just love those bears?

This week West Van’s Temper Pastry in Dundarave held a grand opening with excellent chocolates as well as to die for croissants, sandwiches and  pastries. Here’s two of their crafty Valentine’s Day offerings.

No Valentine’s Day chocolate report would be complete without mention of Thomas Haas. Master of all things chocolate this man is!

Beta 5 is hosting 2 evenings filled with chocolate on February 14 or 15, with a special chocolate making workshop. You’ll learn how to make a creamy ganache, hand roll truffles, and decorate your own hand crafted chocolate box. Tickets ($125 / person) are available both in-store and online.

 

The Vancouver shop is also fully stocked with their Valentine’s day collection, and featured Valentine’s pastry items.  Shop online at beta5chocolates.com, and receive FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $75. But be sure to place your order by midnight February 10th to guarantee delivery in time for Valentine’s Day.  

I haven’t yet visited Chez Christophe on Hastings in Burnaby but came across Richard Wolak at Vancouver Foodster’s photo above and couldn’t resist adding. He also has some other ideas of his own here.

CocoaNymph has these cinnamon hearts with a dark chocolate shell, gold dusted, and layer of dense cinnamon and honey elixir with a whipped cinnamon ganache. “If you’re lonely, it might just unbreak your heart”, chocolatiere Rachael Sawaztky states.

This nine piece Art Series box of burnt caramel and fleur de sel (with a hint of rosemary) bonbons will drive home the message that you’re meant for each other! These are Mink Chocolates Valentine’s Day offerings.

Whatever you choose we wish you a tasty chocolate and loved filled Valentine’s Day hopefully spent with those you love whether they be just friends family or lovers. We’ll be checking out Burlesque Duo’s at the Rio for a slinky and talent-filled Valentine’s Day celebration with our fav burlesque stars.

If we’ve missed any let us know.  cassandra at goodlifevancouver.com or tweet @goodlifevan or @chefgoodlifevan

KISSES!

XXX