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RJ Chocolatier
Trained by the most elite European chocolatiers in the world, Rick Jordan, Jr., was recently recognized as one of the "10 best chocolatiers in America." In America. His Chesterfield shop is the "boutique and lab" for the most spectacular chocolate morsels in the city. His signature item this Valentine's Day: the "pearl necklace" (item pictured, at right). We love a chocolatier with a sense of humor. (14882 Clayton, 636-230-9300)
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VanBuskirk Artisanal Chocolates
Think you can't be all things to the indulgent? Don't tell Conor VanBuskirk. He recently opened a chocolate shop that doubles as pub, cafe, coffee bar, and ice-cream shop. They even sell cigars. For Valentine's Day, consider the 11-piece truffle assortment of hand painted truffles—just make sure to include a few hand-painted, heart-shaped nuggets filled with champagne ganache (pictured). And maybe fill the Frigidaire with pints of VanB's Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ice Cream (also pictured)...you'll notice we said pints, plural. (5326 Hwy. N, Cottleville, MO, 636-352-1139)
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Kakao Chocolates
Can't say enough about the creativity that emanates from Brian Pelletier's two chocolate shops. Why, we were doing just that the other day, here... For him: truffles in flavors like bourbon, single malt Scotch, and root beer, boxed in customizable six-packs; for her, lemon-pepper, rose-petal dark chocolate bark (pictured); for all, chocolate-scented pencils, for making the list for your return visit. (7272 Manchester, 314-645-4446; 2301 S. Jefferson, 314-771-2310)
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Bissinger's Chocolates
Founded in 1845, we refer to Bissinger's as the great-great-great granddaddy of St. Louis chocolatiers. The website lists 18 options available for Valentine's Day, and were we forced to pick a favorite, it'd be the dark chocolate molasses caramel lollipops (pictured). To many--and us--it's quintessential Bissinger's. (32 Maryland Plz, 314-367-7750; 97 Plaza Frontenac, 314-367-9750)
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Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate
Blue suede shoes are not an appropriate gift for Valentine's Day...but a Red Suede Heart is (pictured). Or customize a heart-shaped box yourself at any of CCC's 10 regional stores. Prefer chocolate covered strawberries? This week, CCC's minions will enrobe a field full. Anyone over age 50 will remember Classic Caramels and Pecan Burrs from legendary Mavrakos chocolates. In 2009, CCC's owner Dan Abel relaunched the Mavrakos brand and has all the recipes. The "Rosebud" assortment contains "the best of the best." (10 locations)
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Christopher Elbow Artisinal Chocolate
Ok, this one's not local but rather from our "regional and highly recommended file." Goodies from this KC-based gourmet chocolatier are only available in St. Louis inside the Nadoz Cafe at The Boulevard. One look at Elbow's heart-shaped gift box and the response is almost universally, "one, please." (#12 The Boulevard, 314-726-3100)
By George Mahe
In the last decade, Missouri has produced an uncanny number of quality chocolatiers: bean-to-bar makers like Patric in Columbia and Askinosie in Springfield, plus some equally impressive chocolate masters on our side of the state. It's time, St. Louis...time to bid farewell to mundane chocolates. You deserve the good stuff...or at least your valentine does. Indulge them at any of our top five local (and one regional) sweet shops:
