DELISH MAGAZINE JANUARY 2020
The
SWEETEST
Spots
Ideas for Valentine’s Day from
Niagara region chocolatiers
BY MARISA RELIGA
L
et’s not overthink this — chocolate is
always the best gift on Valentine’s Day.
We’ve got you covered for the sweetest
experience this February 14. Th e Niagara
region is home to a hearty batch of local
chocolate shops to fulfi ll all of your Valen-
tine’s Day needs.
First stop: Niagara’s Honeymoon
Sweets Gourmet Chocolate at 5540
Porter Road in Niagara Falls, is where
Mary Ann Hess pours as much heart into
her work as she does chocolate into her
molds. If you’re looking for something
unique, the hand-dipped, chocolate
covered Triscuits topped with almonds
are the perfect combination of sweet and
salty. Th ese original treats are similar
to those made 100 years ago by a now-
closed company in the Falls called Th e
Niagara Chocolate Company, and Hess
has obtained rights to the name for her
newest line of chocolates.
For those looking for something to
catch the eye in addition to the taste
buds, Honeymoon Sweets’ Blushing
Hearts are sure to do the trick. Th ese
white chocolate chubby hearts are dusted
with a pearlized sugar sheen and include
dried strawberries at their center giving
the illusion of a soft red glow.
Honeymoon Sweets’ edible photos
are also a unique gift idea this Valentine’s
Day. Select a photograph of your loved
one, and Mary Ann will create an entirely
28
edible photo confec-
tion in color with a
festive frame. Th e
frame is also edible.
“All of our prod-
ucts are made in
small batches with
natural ingredients
and are designed
especially for you,” she
said.
Evie Kresman, a loyal
customer, keeps coming back
because of the visible passion and
quality she experiences at the shop.
“Everything here is so fresh and unique.
If Mary Ann doesn’t have it, she’ll fi nd a
way to get you what you need,” she said.
Some of the bon-bons to consider
for Valentine’s Day include fl avorful
combinations such as white chocolate
fi lled with blueberry, and dark chocolate
fi lled with apricot. In terms of clusters,
cherry almond biscotti, orange cranberry
walnut, and lemon pistachio clusters are
on the menu.
For more information, call 304-6803, visit on
Facebook or online at niagaras
honeymoonsweets.com.
Next stop: Platters Chocolate
at 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., in North
Tonawanda is the place for a wide variety
for Valentine’s Day gift shopping While
you shop, you can stop to watch the
chocolate production through the multi-
ple viewing windows.
Framed chocolate photos hide a
box of chocolates from Niagara's
Honeymoon Sweets.
In the store, you’ll fi nd their sponge
candy hearts, a twist on a local favorite,
made with the secret family recipe in
milk, dark, orange, and very popular
peanut-butter fl avors.
Th is family-run business takes pride
in being an aff ordable luxury. “Hand-
made, homemade here at Platter’s we
have a gift for everyone and we’re here to
help. Chocolate, coff ee, and ice-cream —
just a fun experience is what we’re here
for,” says family member Kelly DiGui-
seppe, who works as the general manager.
You can stick with the classics,
such as the hand-dipped chocolate-
covered strawberries and old fashioned
satin hearts. Or, veer a little on the
adventurous side with their creative
expressions using orange chocolate for
which Platter’s is well-known. Th e team