Chocolate Is For Lovers: The Best Chocolates in DFW

February is National Chocolate Month and it is no coincidence that it comes in the same month as Valentine’s Day. From the ancient Mayans, who created a drink from cacao beans to the Swiss and Milton Hersey who created the wonderful candy we know today, chocolate is the sweet treat that everyone loves.

Fun Chocolate Facts

• In 1875, Henri Nestle added condensed milk to solid chocolate, creating the milk chocolate bar.
• In  Switzerland,  Rudolphe Lindt invented the conch, a machine that rotated and mixed chocolate to a perfectly smooth consistency.
• By 1907, Milton Hershey’s factory produced more than 33 million kisses per day.
• During World War II, American soldiers received chocolate bars as part of their rations.

Chocolate is for Lovers

Any true chocoholic will tell you that not all chocolate is created equally. No matter if you love dark chocolate or milk chocolate, it must be rich and creamy and melt in your mouth with just the right balance of chocolate goodness.

Paula at My Personal Valet has found the most fabulous places in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to help you indulge your passion for chocolate or to treat your sweetheart to something decadent.

Sublime Chocolate
908 Market Street
Allen, Texas 75013
214-383-6776

Englishman, Troy Easton makes incredibly decadent chocolates.

Dude, Sweet Chocolate
408 West Eighth Street
Dallas, TX 75208
214-943-5943

Chef Katherine Clapner creates a wonderful collection of hand-made chocolates, lovingly called “Crack in a Box” in her location in the Bishop Arts District.

Schakolad Chocolate Factory
106 E. 4th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-870-2400

Schakolad Chocolate Factory makes handcrafted chocolate truffles on the premises. Sugar free, low carb, vegan and kosher options are also available.

Whole Foods Market
Park Lane and Lakewood locations

In addition to beautiful roses and flowers arrangements, Whole Foods Market makes incredible desserts. The hand-dipped chocolate covered strawberries are to die for.

With just one call to My Personal Valet,  you can  make this the most special Valentine’s Day ever. We can order flowers, make dinner reservations and find the sweetest sweets for your sweetheart.

Contact Paula Stein at paulam@mpvalet.com to make your Valentine’s Day Plans.

Related articles

• What Makes “Good” Chocolate? (goodguide.com)
• Chocolate Day (getawayzzz.wordpress.com)
• 4 Fresh New Ideas to Make This Valentine’s Day Special

4 Fresh New Ideas to Make This Valentine’s Day Special

A box of chocolates, dinner for two and a dozen roses. That is the recipe for typical Valentine’s Day. Every restaurant in town is featuring a romantic menu for you and your special someone. But this year why not kick it up a notch and try something completely fresh and different for Valentine’s Day?

Valentine Wine Trail

• Spend a romantic afternoon on the Valentine Wine Trail in Grapevine, Texas. You will visit the Cross Timbers Winery, D’Vine Wine, Farina’s Winery, Homestead Winery, La Bodega Winery, La Buena Vida Vineyards, and Su Vino Winery. This tour is a wonderful date for wine enthusiasts and romantics to celebrate the holiday of love. Visit www.grapevinewinetrail.com for details.

Sweetheart Wine Trail
February 11 and 12, 2012
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
$45.00 per person in advance
$50.00 at the door

Make the weekend extra special with an over‑night stay in the charming English Rose Suite at the Hilton and Embassy Suites. Please contact Garden Manor B&B  to book this package.

Dancing Lessons

• Have fun learning the dance moves you love to watch on Dancing with the Stars. Spend an exciting evening in the arms of your sweetheart as you take Cha-Cha, Mambo, Salsa or Swing dance lessons at the Sandunga Dance Company.

Couples Massage & Spa Day

• The Spa at the Crescent: Enjoy an Intimate Evening for Two Package, which includes accommodations at the Rosewood Crescent  Hotel for one night, a bottle of sparkling or house wine, breakfast for two in The Conservatory or in the comfort of your room, a three-course dinner for two in The Crescent Club, use of the facilities at The Spa at The Crescent and valet parking.

• Relâche Spa at Gaylord Texan: Experience a special treat with this perfect couple’s getaway. The Couples Harmony Package is a half day of pampering and luxury. Both of you will enjoy a Couple’s Harmony Massage, followed by Relâche Signature Facials, classic manicures and classic pedicures.

• Spa Habitat Organic Spa & Apothecary: Located in Plano, The Shops at Legacy and in West Village, Spa Habitat offers the Love & Peace Couples Package, which includes a 50 minute green peace massage  for two, organic foot rituals for two and the little green facials for two.

Cooking Lessons

• Sur la Table: Spend an evening of cooking and romance with  someone special  for Valentine’s Day. Sur la Table in Dallas offers cooking classes where you can work alongside your date,  as the instructor shows you new ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in gourmet style. The menu features dishes designed to inspire passion, like truffled mashed potatoes and salted caramel ice cream.

Take the stress out of Valentine’s Day. Let Paula and the staff of My Personal Valet help you by making dinner reservations, arranging floral deliveries, gift purchases, and making arrangements for one of these romantic dates.

Contact paulam@mpvalet.com or 214-363-2200 for help in making this a Valentine’s Day to remember.

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinners in Dallas

What says Valentine’s Day more than a  romantic dinner at a candlelit restaurant. Many local eateries have special prix-fixed menus especially tailored for Valentine’s Day. This year, with Cupid’s special day on Monday, February 14th, restaurants are also offering their special menus throughout the weekend.

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants (and florists). Reservations are highly recommended. The sooner the better!  Advance preparation is the key to planning the perfect date and making it something unique and special. Contact My Personal Valet for help planing a very special Valentine’s Day.

Arcodoro & Pomodoro

Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14, 2011
100 Crescent Court Suite 140
Dallas, TX 75201

Italians know the way to ones heart is through the stomach. Arcodora & Pomodoro will have their regular menu plus specials loaded with aphrodisiacs that will spark up your Valentine’s Day.

Bolla Restaurant

February 11, 2011
from 6:00 to 10:00 pm
2927 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201

Bolla, located in the Stoneleigh Hotel with serve their normal dinner menu & special tasting menu – $85 per person. February 12 &  14,  from 6 to 10 pm – Four-course Prix Fixe Valentine’s menu – $85 per person

Cadot Restaurant

Monday, February 14, 2011
18111 Preston Rd # 120
Dallas, TX 75252

Cadot Restaurant serves a great blend of French cuisine. Cadot is open Sunday February 13th & Monday February 14th with a special Valentine’s menu for $49.95 per person,  from 5-10PM.
Most Romantic Dish: Creme Brulee

Central 214 in Hotel Palomar

5300 E. Mockingbird Ln.
Dallas, TX 75206

At Central 214 you will experience the soul of American cooking with rustic flavors, approachable dishes and the intimacy of sharing familiar American food together. Live, Love, Lust! 5 course chef tasting menu  for $75 per person,  featuring Veuve Clicquot and $35 selected wine pairings. You will also receive a surprise take-home gift with the Valentine Tasting Menu!  Most Romantic Dish: Butter Steamed Crab & Seared Filet

Charlie Palmer at The Joule

1530 Main St.
Dallas, TX 75201

Expect the master chef’s signature elevated American cooking and more.  Indulge yourself with a special Valentine’s Day 3-course prix fixe menu, offered Friday through Monday for $95 per person, with a $30 wine supplement. Monday night guests will receive a special gift. Traditional a la carte menu also available Friday through Sunday.

Dish

Valentine’s Day

Monday, February 14, 2011
4123 Cedar Springs Road
Suite 110
Dallas, TX 75219

DISH is an exciting concept featuring “Modern Day Comfort Food” from our award-winning Chef Doug Brown. DISH will offer a Special Valentine’s Menu with a live music performance by Kristin Center from 7:00 -10:00 pm. The three course menu is  $50 per person, the  Wine/Champagne Pairing  is $20 per person.

Most Romantic Dish: Chocolate Ganache Boxes

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Monday, February 14, 2011
501 Elm Street
Dallas, TX 75202

Celebrate Valentine’s weekend with USDA prime-aged steak, succulent seafood & decadent desserts. Morton’s full dinner menu and Steak and Seafood, a special three-course menu for two are available. Celebrate the last Valentine’s Day at Morton’s downtown location. They will close the doors on the Elm Street location and move to Uptown on February 24 in the former Grotto space across from The Crescent.

Morton’s is famous for its animated signature tableside menu presentation: steaks, whole Maine lobsters and other main course selections, along with fresh vegetables, are presented on a cart rolled to your table, where the server displays and describes each menu item in appetizing and entertaining detail.

Nana

Valentine’s Day
Monday, February 14, 2011
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207

Nana offers upscale American cuisine with a spectacular view of the Dallas skyline from the 27th floor of the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Your romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at Nana will begin with a glass of Moet & Chandon Brut Rose followed by a special four course menu prepared by Chef Bombaci for $99 per person (plus tax and 20% gratuity).

Nicola’s Ristorante

Valentine’s Day
February 12-14, 2011
5800 Legacy Drive
Plano, TX 75024

Nicola features a sophisticated bar, romantic, high-backed booths, al fresco dining on the patio, private dining room for fourteen, and a stunning mezzanine overlooking the main dining area. In addition to their regular menu, Nicola will be offering a special pre-fixe V-Day menu.

Nosh

Chef Avner Samuel’s NOSH Euro bistro and bar offers a  relaxed and comfortable atmosphere complemented by moderately priced food and wine list and featuring casual European/Mediterranean inspired fare.  NOSH has a chef driven Valentine’s Day menu,  with 4 courses and many selections to choose from. Most Romantic Dish: Degustation of Desserts for Two

Follow My Personal Valet on Twitter or on Facebook for the latest Valentine’s Day Events and Dining Specials.

Related Articles

• Valentine’s Day Gift Guide for Guys (socyberty.com)
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How to Plan the Perfect Date Night

For Men Only…

Valentine’s Day is February 14th. Don’t panic. With help from My Personal Valet, a little creativity and a bit of advanced planning you can surprise the love of your life with the perfect date night, not only for Valentine’s Day, but any day.

Roses, dinner reservations and boxes of chocolates are the typical Valentine’s Day gifts. They are wonderful, but you can kick it up a notch by including one or more of these ideas to your date night.

Re-Live a Cherished Memory

Think back to a time or a day when you and your significant other had a really good time. When you were both blissfully happy. Was it your first date at the movies, watching Pretty in Pink and dinner at Chili’s or a picnic in the park when you first said those three little words? Maybe it was the day you met at a party and U2′s  With or Without You was playing. Try incorporating something from those happy times into your date night. Trust me, she will love it!

The Element of Surprise

Step out of your comfort zone and do something a little different. Most people like nice little surprises. It can be anything from the delivery of a bouquet of flowers  by Dr. Delphinium to her office. Imagine her reaction if you actually delivered the flowers yourself!

A romantic dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty, when she thought you were going to the same old place as last year; putting a little blue box from Tiffany’s or something sweet from Chocolate Secrets on her pillow. Be careful not to  go overboard and ambush someone, like Blaine’s surprise serenade at The Gap on a recent episode of Glee.

Make it Unique

Advance preparation is the key to planning the perfect date and making it something unique and special.  Contact My Personal Valet for help planing your perfect date.

Related Articles

• How to Spend a Creative Date on Valentine’s Day (genzpad.com)
• 9 Ideas to Create a Valentine’s Day to Remember (stacyknows.blogspot.com)
• How to Make Valentine’s Day Special on a Budget (quizzle.com)
• Unique Valentine’s Day Ideas (socyberty.com)