“All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
-Lucy Van Pelt in Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz


Chocolate.

The very mention of it evokes an entire range of emotions and memories – especially the feel and taste of it melting in your mouth. It can be fun (think of a Hershey’s kiss), warm (a carefully wrapped box of chocolates for grandma) and even rewarding (a special hot fudge sundae).

And it can definitely be romantic.

Chocolate is perhaps the most passionate food. Add a little champagne, a cozy fire, a little music and who knows? It’s safe to say chocolate will never go out of style as a Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone.

Chocolate comes from the tree known as “Theobroma cacao.” Theobroma comes from the Greek, meaning “food of the gods,” or literally, a “mood-enhancing substance.”

Throughout its 3,000-year history, which began in Mexico, chocolate was initially used as a beverage. The Spanish Conquistadores took cacao back to Europe in the 16th century, and it soon spread to Italy and France, and then throughout the continent. The 19th century saw “modern” chocolate, including the development of cocoa powder, candy bars, and technical processes such a “conching” and “tempering” to make chocolate smoother, creamier and better tasting.

So, after exhaustive research and the great personal sacrifice of tasting all of that chocolate, we offer you (some of) the best chocolate experiences unique to Central Ohio.

The Chocolate Cafe (1855 Northwest Blvd., 614-485-CAFÉ (2233), www.chocolatecafecolumbus.com) clearly seems to be a chocolaholic’s paradise. The franchise, based in South Bend, Ind., has a wide range of chocolates made by the South Bend Chocolate Co., including 10 flavors of fudge, truffles and an interesting array of chocolate covered items such as pretzels, Oreos, Rice Krispie treats, citrus peels, dried cherries and several types of nuts. Not to mention the wonderful toffee, at least six flavors of hot chocolate, fondue and, of course, decadent desserts …

Sher Bliss (1394 Cherry Bottom Rd., Gahanna, 614-428-WINE (9463),
www.sherbliss.com) offers house-made chocolates, plus it’s a wine and gift store. Owner Cheryl Sher’s family owned the legendary Maramor Restaurant, famous for its Maramor chocolates. This time around, Sher takes the chocolate to a whole new level, pairing it with wine.

Sher Bliss’ most popular and unique gift is a chocolate-covered wine bottle – your choice of wine dipped in chocolate, decorated with the sentiment of your choice, then nicely wrapped for delivery.

The shop also makes many of its own chocolates; the top seller is the bark, from milk chocolate almond to Buckeye Bark. There are also some interesting flavor couplings with chocolate, including “wild” strawberry with vodka, single malt scotch, lavender, rose, dulce de leche, even olive oil! Many items may be customized, including adult gifts such as (gasp!) chocolate thongs! How’s that for a fun little twist on romance?

Pure Imagination Chocolatier (59 Spruce St., in the North Market, 614-221-5433, www.purechocolatier.com) has developed a national reputation and received worldwide coverage (including an appearance at the Academy Awards) for its handmade chocolates. Every piece is lovingly made right before your eyes in the North Market shop. Pure Chocolatier is the effort of Daniel Cooper, owner and master chocolatier, and is described as “a unique chocolate confection boutique,” adhering “to the highest quality standards, both in procuring wonderful ingredients from around the globe, as well as in the production of our chocolates.”

The shop offers more than 75 chocolate confections, specializing in exotic truffles, and has an “unlimited imagination when it comes to creating custom orders.” The Signature Line of truffles includes up to 30 choices, including Aztec caramel, cappuccino and key lime, and the even more unusual Elevation Line, including wild blueberry and Gouda and caramelized banana and pink peppercorn. Of course there are many more traditional flavors, as well as dipped fruit, nut clusters and a world of “unimaginable confections.”

Pistacia Vera (541 S. Third St., 614-220-9070, www.pistaciavera.com) offers some of the most fabulous desserts I have tasted (or seen) anywhere in the world. Pistacia Vera (formerly Pistachio) has a new name and new quarters in German Village. Chef-owner Spencer Budros uses the finest quality chocolate to fashion spectacular creations. My long-time favorite is the Chambord Manjari Feuilletine, a tart with a crispy chocolate base, a dense chocolate-Chambord layer and a dark chocolate glaze on top – a mere sliver will take you to chocolate nirvana. My new favorite, which will be my wife’s very deserving Valentine’s gift this year, is the Grand Marnier Truffle Torte – flourless chocolate cake layered with bittersweet chocolate ganache with a hint of Grand Marnier. And then there is the Semisweet Muscato Bombe, a spectacular dome shaped “bombe” filled with a dense chocolate mousse and topped with semisweet chocolate glaze, or the caramel-chocolate peanut crunch. All of these desserts are available in miniature, single-serving portions.

Pistacia Vera also specializes in gifts, including corporate gifts, and mail-order, as well as
hand-rolled, semi-sweet Valhrona chocolate truffles and a Valhrona bittersweet chocolate cookie made with 70 percent Valhrona Guanaja “grand cru” chocolate. You truly won’t believe they can pack so much chocolate flavor into such a small package!

Of course, we cannot forget some of the long-time favorite chocolates. Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppes (14 locations, www.anthony-thomas.com) are duly famous for their buckeyes, as well as a wide assortment of candies and nuts. Anthony-Thomas chocolate bars are a popular fundraising item for good reason.

John Eagle Candies (4590 N. High St., 614-262-2255) has been a Columbus fixture since 1946. I remember as a 10-year-old giving a special box of Eagle chocolates to my grandmother. My favorite is the chocolate-covered “honeycombs.”

Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (three Central Ohio locations, in Easton, Polaris and Tuttle Mall, www.godiva.com) is synonymous with high-end, expensive-but-worth-it chocolates.

And what chocolate listing would be complete without Esther Price, fine chocolates since 1926? These treats have a loyal following and are available at Kroger and Meijer, or at 800-782-0326 or www.estherprice.com.  

Steve Stover is a contributing writer for CityScene.