With the wide selection of artisan chocolate made right here in the Bay Area, there's no need to settle for drugstore chocolates this Valentine's Day. Cocoa lovers will find some fascinatingly unique flavors, gorgeous presentations, and meaningful commitments to fair-trade practices from local chocolate artists. (Plus, at the prices of craft truffles, you won't be tempted to over-indulge.) Hoodline has rounded up some hyper-local chocolatiers in San Francisco and the East Bay to help you branch out beyond Ghirardelli and Tcho. Just keep in mind that local and handmade chocolate can go fast this time of year — Formosa in Oakland is already sold out for Valentine's Day!
San Francisco
XOX Truffles
A North Beach staple for 25 years, XOX sells handmade truffles for $1.25 each, or you can snag a gift box of 12 for $14 – a steal in the world of artisanal chocolate. Check out their selection of liqueured, non-liqueured and vegan flavors. Details: xoxtruffles.com
Kokak Chocolates
This new fair-trade chocolatier in the Castro is named for the word for "ribbit" in Tagalog. Numerous Valentine's Day offerings include a nine-piece Written in the Stars collection for $28 and an adorable teddy bear chocolate lollipop for $5. Details: kokakchocolates.com
Socola Chocolatier
Try their Little Saigon box for a collection of 12 truffles with Vietnamese-inspired flavors, like jasmine tea, Vietnamese coffee, phở, durian. and lychee, $39. Or get in the mood with their In The Mood for Love collection of honey-rose, mango chili lime caramel, Imperial stout, and strawberry matcha. Details: socolachocolates.com
Recchiuti Confections
No list of San Francisco chocolatiers would be complete without this beloved gourmet confectioner. Head to their shop in the Ferry Building for indulgences like the nine-piece Red Wine Pairing Collection, $30. Details: recchiuti.com
Dandelion Chocolate
You can buy this popular small-batch San Francisco chocolate at their Valencia Street and Ferry Building shops or at their 16th Street factory. Options include a 15-piece single-origin truffle collection for $45. Details: store.dandelionchocolate.com
East Bay
Casa de Chocolates, Berkeley
Try their six-piece Mexican assortment ($18) with cinnamon, tequila, Mexican vanilla, chipotle, mole and tamarindo. Or love it up with thier Valentine's Day Amor Collection, ranging from a $4 chocolate heart lollipop to a $70 deluxe assortment in a heart-shaped box. Details: casadechocolates.com
The Xocolate Bar, Berkeley
Family business offering pickup and delivery. Their Valentine's Day collection includes chocolate lips for $10 and a double-layer heart-shaped tin for $59. Check out their chocolate-dipped fruit and nuts and their vegan chocolates, too. Details: thexocolatebar.com
Chocolaterie, Berkeley
This little University Avenue shop is usually open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12-6 p.m., but they're opening especially for Valentine's Day on Feb. 13 and 14, also from 12-6 p.m. You can take home a box starting at $13 for an assortment of five. Current flavors include dirty martini with candied olives, vodka and dry vermouth. Details: shopchocolaterie.com
Flying Noir, Berkeley
These tremendously artistic, micro-batch chocolates are usually available just for pickup from the 7th Street store (no walk-ins), but boxes will be on offer this Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at an outside table, until they sell out. Try the Eros – caramel with Mariage Freres tea and floral flavors. A box of six is $24. Details: flyingnoir.net
The Oakland Chocolate Company
This small local outfit sells chocolate purchased exclusively from Jamaica in a partnership with Jamaican farmers and is currently only making chocolates to order. Check out their Box of the Month club for a Valentine's Day indulgence that gives all year long. Details: theoaklandchocolateco.com
Michael's Chocolates, Oakland
Located in the same spot as the now-closed Michael Mischer Chocolates, this local husband-and-husband outfit will be open on Valentine's Day. Their Chef's Collection ($14-80) includes three Valentine's Day flavors: red passionfruit heart, purple hazelnut crunch and a 70 percent dark chocolate truffle. Details: michaelschocolates.com
Bon appetit!
