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The Best Chocolate Shops in New York City for Valentine's Day Treats

By Serena Solomon | February 8, 2016 5:03pm

NEW YORK CITY — Whether you go for something classic from local generational chocolate stores or opt for something more trendy, like raw chocolate, this city has more than enough sweet sugary goodness to impress your valentine. Here's eight of the most celebrated chocolate stores in the city:

Chocolate

Aigner Chocolates at 103-02 Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills

Aigner Chocolates has long been a staple of Queens, operating in Forest Hills for more than 80 years. Although the store recently changed hands, the new owner Mark Libertini announced that he would keep the Aigner family's traditional recipes as he learns the trade alongside the Aigner family. Pick up a box of peppermint patties for $16.95, marzipan fruit for $12.95 or a three-pound box of assorted chocolates for $99.95.

Chocolate

The Sweet Life at 63 Hester St. on the Lower East Side

The Sweet Life is a quaint store that still has barrels of nuts and candy for scooping out by the pound. While they stock different brands of chocolate, they also make some in house. It’s done in small batches with imported Belgian chocolate. Sweet Life specialties include dark chocolate dipped fruit ($38), chocolate cashew clusters ($16.99) and chocolate dipped caramel pretzels ($2).  

Chocolate

Nunu Chocolates in Boerum Hill and Park Slope

Justine Pringle and Andy Laird of Nunu Chocolates are self-taught chocolatiers. They use a single origin cocoa bean from a sustainable family farm in Columbia. In typical Brooklyn fashion, they have a moonshine ganache ($10 for four) and a “beer box” of assorted chocolates that have been mixed with craft beer ($15).

Chocolate

Fine and Raw at 288 Seigel St. in Bushwick

As the name suggests, Fine and Raw uses a low heat techniques to create their chocolate. The goal: lock in the chocolate's health properties (yes, there are some) and its flavor. Pick up a Valentine’s Day-themed truffle box starting at $17 as well as bars and chocolate spreads.

Chocolate

Varsano's Chocolate at 172 W. 4th St. in the West Village

At Varsano, the chocolate is handmade with creations such as nut patties, truffles and caramels. Much of it goes for $36 a pound. There’s also a same day delivery service for Manhattan.

Chocolate

Kee's Chocolates in SoHo, Midtown West and Midtown

Kee Ling Tong, who swapped the corporate world for chocolate, creates beautiful and delicate treats. The ingredients are so fresh and pure that the chocolate must be consumed within seven days. Kee’s flavors include balsamic, pepper, black sesame and mango green tea.

Chocolate

Schmidt's Candy at 94-15 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven

Schmidt’s Candy has been around since 1925. Basic assorted chocolates start at $16.50 a pound, sugarless is $18 and truffles are $25. Flavors include nuts like almond and brazil, homemade jelly fillings, creams, fruit, fudge and marshmallows. Specialty Valentines boxes are also available at an additional charge.

Chocolate

The Chocolate Place at 839 Morris Park Ave. in Van Nest

The clever people at the Chocolate Place in The Bronx can make anything out of chocolate — bright sunflowers, a set of handcuffs or even a Nintendo controller. They also create platters of chocolate dipped strawberries, Oreo truffles (25 pieces for $75) and chocolate dipped apples ($29.99 for a box of four).