Thursday, March 11, 2010

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Sweet treats for those you adore By Shavaughn Moss ~ Lifestyles Editor ~ shavaughn@nasguard.com: Love is definitely in the air, with Valentine's Day in just five days, and with the cost of roses anywhere from $125 to $165 at florist shops around the island — plus the cost of delivery which again can be anywhere from $5 to $10 — some people may just want to do things a little differently this year. How about expressing romance, love and friendship on Sunday, February 14, with something just a little different , that is edible and a sweet treat. The Nassau Guardian took to the streets to find decadent, edible gifts that would be perfect for those you adore and came across fabulous finds from luscious chocolate and chocolate-dipped fruit to decadent cakes and brownies at places like The Chocol-Art Shoppe, Somethings Different Gifts and Balduccino Fine Foods. They're gifts that will appeal to that special person's senses of sight, smell and taste. THE CHOCOL-ART SHOPPE As chocolate is synonymous with Valentine's Day, we decided to see what Jenny Pierre was melting and molding at The Chocol-Art Shop at #83 Mount Royal Avenue for the day of love, and with a lot to offer, we had to pare down our selections and came up with a few things we thought were exciting. Chocolate-dipped strawberry bouquet One dozen strawberries, dipped in the chocolate of your choice milk, dark or white arranged in a vase, with a few chocolate roses — in the chocolate of your choosing — arranged in a vase, and delivered to your sweetie can be had for as little as $45. Your Valentine gets the visual effect, plus she gets to eat it too. Valentine's heart box If your sweetie loves native fruits like tamarind, coconut, guava and sugar apple, then think about giving her chocolate truffles infused with native fruit flavors, in milk and dark chocolates which can only be had at The Chocol-Art Shoppe. A box with 16 pieces starts at $35. But if your Valentine has a real sweet tooth, you can opt for a $60 box and really make their day. Other truffle flavors that you can pack into the box include Pina Colada, Strawberry Rum, Pecan Caramel, Cappucino, French Vanilla, Almond and Ginger Bites among a number of other flavors. Roses everywhere If you just want it to be all about the roses and chocolate, then consider a mug filled with The Chocol-Art Shoppe's chocolate-shaped roses, which can be done in the color of your choice, and in the chocolate of your choice — milk, dark or white — or even a combination. One dozen of their little roses are $20. If you are a traditionalist and prefer long stemmed roses, The Chocol-Art Shoppe offers that variety too, which comes in an edible chocolate vase as well. One single long-stemmed rose is $5 or $60 per dozen, which they can arrange for you. SOMETHINGS DIFFERENT GIFTS There's always something different on offer at Somethings Different Gifts so we decided to see what beautiful items were behind the delicious smells that waft out of the kitchen of Ian and Samantha Moree's storefront — Somethings Different Gifts At #6 Alexander Street. We certainly were not disappointed. Sexy Red Velvet Truffle Cake Covered in Chocolate What could possibly be sweeter than a Sweetheart Cake 4 2 (for two). Ian and Samantha Moree, couldn't think of anything sweeter than their nine-inch Sexy Red Velvet Cake topped with 15 decadent chocolate truffles. It's a cake that visually delights the senses of sight, smell and taste with a delicious red velvet cake topped with red velvet truffles enrobed in chocolate. This sexy little number that is delicious shared between two people is for $85. Heart-shaped Guava Jammies Somethings Different Gifts is known for their delicious melt-in-your-mouth Guava Jammies — two sugar-dusted shortbread cookies, lovingly surrounding delicious guava jam for a delicious bite of goodness. Actually it's described as more than a cookie, but an experience. It's a cookie your sweetie will fall in love with and fall in love with you too for getting it. These delicious cookies sell for $9 for half-a-dozen or $18 for a dozen. It's definitely going to be money well spent. Your Valentine will become so addicted to these delicious bites that you'll probably find yourself at the Somethings Different Gifts store on a weekly basis to ensure that your Valentine falls in love with you again and again, week after week. BALDUCCINO FINE FOODS As soon as you step into the door at Balduccino Fine Foods, in the Cotton Tree Traders Plaza, East Bay Street, you're greeted by the display of tempting, sweet treats, so we definitely could not leave this purveyor of fine foods off our list of alternative Valentine's Day treats. And Balduccino Fine Foods did not disappoint. Red Velvet Cupcakes Delicious little one bites of decadence just waiting for your Valentine to sink their teeth into. The mini one-bite sized cakes, topped with frosting and sprinkled with red dots are so tempting, your Valentine could probably eat a dozen easily — and not feel guilty. Priced at $1 each, you may just want to spring for two dozen. The larger sized Red Velvet cupcakes to the bite-sized cupcakes sell for $2.50 each. And while not as small and cute as the mini versions, they are equally as delicious. Brownies What's better than sinking your teeth into a delicious, fudgy, chocolatey brownie? Most chocolate lovers would say nothing, and your sweetie probably won't think there's anything better either than a decadent brownie, with bits of walnuts thrown in for that something extra. At $2.95 each, you could box up a dozen of these gooey, chocolate delights for your Valentine, and they'd love you for it. STARBUCKS COFFEE And in a sweetheart of a deal — if your Valentine just happens to be a Starbucks junkie, you can take them to their favorite location on Sunday's day of love and enjoy a cup with them. You purchase their beverage of choice — cappucino, frappucino, latte, coffee, hot, or cold, and the second drink — of equal or lesser value — is on Starbucks. Now this is one sweet deal! Wednesday February 10, 2010