That chocolatier time of year
Swoon over Valentine’s chocolates from these eight shops in the Hamilton and Burlington area
As doughnuts are to Hamilton, chocolate — a wide range of chocolate — is also to Hamilton. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, and options abound, it is time to find a sweet something for your super special someone.
The team of chocolatiers at east Hamilton’s DSRT Company could make a normal, every day chocolate bar. They could, but they are not going to.
Instead, Valentine’s-wise customers will have their lucky loves sink their teeth into such chocolate marvels as a gooey, sticky, fluff- or caramel-stuffed hearts bars. Or perhaps a lucky crush might be gifted one of their geometric, cake-inspired bars — some of those monster dessert masterpieces are themselves filled with smaller chocolate bars.
DSRT Co. owner Summer Badawi and her team of nine have a big cocoa bean dream and they are using that to make a chocolate experience. Their SNAK and DSRT bars range in price from $13 to more than $25, plus tax. Check the storefront at 1439 Main St. E. or online at thedsrtcompany.com for the right bar for your person.
For nearly 40 years, Burlington’s Walker’s Chocolates has been making the sweetest treats for your sweets. Their mint meltaways, for $4, are guaranteed to melt away your partner’s heart. Or buy a heart-shaped chocolate box for $40.
■ 3350 Fairview St., Burlington
■ 1050 King St. W., Hamilton
Visit walkerschocolates.ca. Love is in the air on James Street North — at least outside Chocolat On James. Find chocolate truffle gift boxes that make treat lovers drool, among other desserts. Or, for preorder by phone or email before Feb. 10, get your Valentine chocolate-dipped strawberries: a dozen for $35 or four for $14.
■ 123 James St. N., Hamilton
Visit chocolatonjames.com. Say “will you be mine” with mall chocolates. Lustful Lime Ridge and mad-for-you Mapleview are home to Purdys Chocolatier; there you can find a dozen chocolates in a heart-shaped box for $26, or get your darling a chocolate heart lolly for $2.75.
■ CF Lime Ridge Mall, 999 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton
■ Mapleview Centre, 900 Maple Ave., Burlington
Visit purdys.com.
Treat your mate to delicacies in pink, purple and pastels with flavours to match from Madam Bonbon. The Locke Street shop’s handcrafted confectionery are as visually exquisite as delicious. Boxes of nine bonbons for $22 could include flavours like cherry pistachio or honey peanut.
■ 165 Locke St. S., Hamilton
Visit madambonbon.ca.
Woo your boo with nut-free treats from Chocolate Tales, just outside downtown Hamilton. They offer specialty chocolates of all kinds, including diabetic-friendly and sugar-free options. Find four heartshaped chocolate truffles for $10 or a 24-piece botanical collection for about $45.
■ 430 York Blvd., Hamilton
Visit chocolatetales.ca. At Chocolate Sensations, love is sealed with a chocolate lollipop kiss. Valentine’s suckers for $3.50 are available at this Ancaster shop, or preorder a box of nine chocolatecovered strawberries for $31.
■ 240 Wilson St. E., Ancaster
Visit chocolatesensations.ca. For those deep dark chocolate desires head to Beanermunky Chocolate in Dundas. Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options are available. A box of 12 artisan chocolates is $28.50.
■ 50 King St. W., Dundas
Visit beanermunky.com.