It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and we’re here to help you navigate local gift ideas. The treats we’re most excited about this season are from local bakeries that never disappoint.
Enjoy A Lovely Taste of Paris
Now, a box of chocolates is always an option. But if you’re looking for something different this year, share something French and delicious with your loved one. La Gourmandine, one of Pittsburgh’s best-known bakeries, is creating a heart-shaped pastry made of dark chocolate mousse. The heart has a raspberry coulis center and lays on a flourless chocolate biscuit. It’s a great option for those with allergies as well — this treat is nut and gluten-free!
You can order these lovely hearts from La Gourmandine on Feb. 7-16, in addition to all of their other cakes, pastries, and tartes.
Pastries for Your Pens Fan
You can’t go wrong this Valentine’s Day with the official pastry shop of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pastries A-La-Carte is a family-owned store that specializes in customized cakes and iced-cut out cookies. They hire local artists and bakers with diverse backgrounds to keep their sweet treats unique and fresh. Pastries A-La-Carte makes everything from scratch, from cutout heart cookies to Valentine’s cakes.
Their Pleasant Hills location was recently remodeled, so be sure to swing by if you’re in the South Hills.
Take A Unique Spin on Boxed Chocolates
If you’re going down the heart-shaped-chocolate-box route, it’s best to shop local. Sarris Candies offers a wide variety of boxed assortments so you can find the perfect set. Choose from typical assortments with milk and dark chocolate to more unique boxes with rows of peanut butter meltaways, pecanettes, truffles, coconut clusters, toffee, and salted caramels.
Sarris also has a black and gold assortment and a skyline assortment for the Pittsburgh lover in your life.
Have Love Delivered in the Form of Flowers
Now, maybe you’re planning to put together a gift package that goes beyond pastries and sweets. Our favorite floral shops are creating gorgeous arrangements this Valentine’s Day. Pittsburgh is home to so many local florists! Some of our favorites throughout the city and the boroughs include:
Strip District: Hens and Chicks, Jim Ludwig’s Blumengarten Florist
East End: Alex’s East End Floral Shoppe, James Flower & Gift Shoppe, Squirrel Hill Flower Shop
South Side: Cindy Esser’s Floral Shop, Blooms Florist
South Hills: Mt. Lebanon Floral Shop, The Violet Bouquet Flower Shop, Blossoms by Jillian
North Hills: Florwerama Pittsburgh, The Flower Market, The Blue Daisy Floral Designs
And if the sweetie you’re celebrating this Valentine’s Day is yourself, order some flowers for you. February can be pretty cold and gloomy in this town, so treat yourself to a bouquet for a pop of color this winter.
Something for Your Sweetie and Best Friend
Let’s be real — sometimes the sweeties in our lives are our pets. Don’t forget about the furry love in your life this Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s a new toy or pet-friendly treat. Local pet stores can be a good stop while you’re putting together a Valentine’s Day gift package. Petagogy carries healthy food and treats for nearly any kind of pet.
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, remember to shop local when you’re considering sweets for your sweetie.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.