Valentine's Day is:
a) a day to celebrate love and passion
b) just another exploitive commercial event
c) a reminder of singledom
d) extra pressure on relationships
e) my birthday
I don't know if anyone really looks forward to Valentine's Day. Even though people always coo, "Oh you're a Valentine's baby that's nice," I can't really believe that they mean it. Typically, what it does mean is that my coupled friends have plans, and I get pushed to the week before or after. If I do try celebrate punctually, restaurants and any other establishments that can cash in on the red and pink are usually too overpriced or fully booked. Over the years, instead of feeding any acrimony, a solution arose: the "birthday week", during which I treated myself to a little something each day.
Forget waiting for candy and cards from Cupid. That's why every year I gift myself with some I "Choo-choo choose" me, indulgences. The following are my treats for 2008. Sometimes bitterness, like in dark chocolate, can turn out to be something nice.
The chocolate croissant $1.49 at The Stone Mill Bakery in the basement of the St. Lawrence Market (92 Front Street): Forget waiting in line at Clafouti (925 Queen Street West) at 6am on a Saturday, there are plenty of these large pastries - a not too rich bread that's a nice foil for its dark chocolate heart, which softens nicely when it's warmed up - as well as other flavoured croissants and beautiful breads in stock.
The white hot chocolate at Second Cup (287 King Street West, and various locations): A staple of my York U days, I always got a small cup ($2.65) with extra whipped cream. They have a vanilla bean hot chocolate now which they will make as a white chocolate on request. The combination of the cool voluptuous cream sinking into warm milky vanilla is
worth a contented sigh.
The chocolate pecan tart ($4.50) at Altitude Baking (1346 Queen Street East): My boyfriend once picked up one of these babies for me as a gesture of thanks or apology, I'm not quite sure anymore. Although I've pretty much forgotten the why, I'll never forget the soft goop of caramel sandwiched between a crumbly, buttery, chocolate crust and topped with golden, crunchy pecans and dabs of more chocolate. Part brownie bar, part butter tart - it's all dreamy good. Plus it's pretty!
The coconut gelato at Solferino (38 Wellington Street East): Yes, it's winter, but grab a small container ($5), take it home and it eat with fresh tropical fruit, and warm thoughts suddenly appear. There are also plenty of other flavours to try, like the intense Belgium chocolate or the smooth avocado.
The Coco 22 by Ninutuk (548 Richmond Street West): artisan maple syrup creations? Yes, a nugget of maple sugar hides in a shell of a maple and white chocolate fondant that's hand-painted no less! It's sweet, white and red, packaged in a shmancy black box ($35) - an elegant presentation for your VIP.
It's fun to think of yummy goodies, then go out and get them. It could be even more fun to share such delectables with a darling. One thing is for sure, every day should include something sweet.
Answer: f) Gettin' some sugar, Sugar, and spoiling yourself silly.
I just found out that Solferino has made special Valentine's Day flavours like: rose petal, cinnamon heart, chili chocolate :)