Valentine’s Day in Harbor East—What Could be Sweeter?
February 11, 2020
This Valentine’s Day, treat your Lady or Lad of Liberty to some of the finest sweets Baltimore has to offer. Whether you’re cooking your sweetheart dinner at home in your Liberty Harbor East apartment, or going out to eat at one of Harbor East’s amazing restaurants, be sure to finish your meal with some chocolate!
Why Do We Give Chocolate on Valentine’s Day?
Love and chocolate have been connected since around 500 BCE because of the Mayans, who made drinks from cocoa beans as a part of wedding rituals. Then, the Aztecs believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac because of tryptophan and phenylethylamine, two chemicals associated with feelings of love and desire that are found in chocolate.
However, scientists today believe that there aren’t enough of those chemicals in chocolate to truly make an impact. Nonetheless, stories of chocolate being an aphrodisiac persisted, and in 1861, Cadbury launched the first heart-shaped box of chocolates. Since Cadbury didn’t patent the heart-shaped chocolate box, other candy manufacturers jumped on board and the rest is history!
Today, Valentine’s Day chocolates are exchanged around the world. At Liberty Harbor East, we’re lucky to be surrounded by some of the best chocolates and sweets in town. Here’s where you can pick-up some chocolates and other sweet treats in Baltimore for Valentine’s Day:
Hampden
Charm City Chocolate
Located on Hampden’s bustling 36th St., Charm City Chocolate features gourmet, small-batch, handmade chocolates that have been carefully curated with only the finest local ingredients and chocolate sourced from sustainable growers around the world.
At Charm City Chocolate, you can get the quintessential heart-shaped box of chocolates, as well as chocolate covered strawberries, truffles, bark, and more! Order online and simply pick-up at the store and treat your Sweetheart to something sweet!
Fells Point
Sacre Sucre
In nearby Fells Point, you’ll find some of the most exquisite chocolates, macarons, éclairs, marshmallows, and cakes that you’ve ever seen at Sacre Sucre.
For Valentine’s Day, they are offering heart-shaped macarons in Chocolate Raspberry, Cherry Almond, and Almond Praline. While their other offerings can change daily, keep an eye out for their artfully decorated bonbons and uniquely flavored chocolate bars, such as Cardamom Caramel with Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut. For something truly different and beautiful, try the Sofia Petit Gateau (pictured), which is Almond Cake with Crunchy Almond Praline, Almond Ganache, and an Earl-Grey Bergamot Mousse.
Federal Hill
Berries by Quicha
Who doesn’t love chocolate covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day? Berries by Quicha is a local, gourmet shop that focuses solely on chocolate covered strawberries.
While they offer traditional berries covered in milk or dark chocolate, what really makes Berries by Quicha special is all of their unique flavor offerings. From Cheesecake stuffed, to Oreo, to Red Velvet, to Snickers, to Reese’s, to Birthday Cake, there’s something for everyone at Berries by Quicha. You can even get custom designed berries with your logo or a photo of yourself! Berries by Quicha has made custom berries for Beyoncé, so, you know they’re good if Queen B approves!
While it’s strongly recommended to order in advance for Valentine’s Day, walk-ins are accepted at their Federal Hill location. Don’t want to deal with parking in Fed Hill? Order ahead and pick-up at their O’Donnell St. location. See locations and learn more here.
Station North
Lisa Anne’s Decadent Gifts
Perhaps one of Baltimore’s best-kept secrets is The Apple Lady, aka Lisa Anne’s Decadent Gifts, in Station North. While you may think of caramel apples as sub-par fair food, these are certainly not that! Their traditional toffee apple features a Granny Smith apple, hand-dipped in homemade caramel, drenched in white chocolate ganache, with tons of chocolate and toffee crunch pieces. They also carry dark chocolate, peanut butter, and s’mores apples.
Not an apple lover? Lisa Anne’s has still got you covered with truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, and s’mores. They even offer Canine Cannoli’s so you can spoil your favorite furry friend with a very special Valentine’s Day treat!
Contact them to order, as they offer free local delivery, or curb-side pick-up.
Little Italy
Vaccaros
If you’re a Baltimore native, then you already know about Vaccaro’s—the family-owned Italian pastry shop that’s been around since 1956. If you’re new to the area, then Vaccaro’s is simply a must!
Their cannoli’s are an authentic Sicilian favorite and feature rich whole milk ricotta stuffed into a regular or chocolate shell and topped with powdered sugar. Their rum cake, cassata cake, tiramisu, cheesecake, and Italian cookies are also delectable, and are sure to delight any Valentine.
Their Little Italy location is less than half a mile from Liberty Harbor East, but Vaccaro’s also has a location in Canton Square and Hunt Valley Town Centre.
Harbor East
Whole Foods
Can’t make it out of Harbor East? We don’t blame you! For a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, stop by Whole Foods. For Prime members, both Chocolove chocolate bars and a dozen roses are on sale through February 14th.
If you’re really in a time crunch, you can take advantage of Whole Foods’ free 2-hour delivery through Amazon. Even bakery items like a Chocolate Heart Cake, are available online or in-store.
Happy Valentine’s Day
From all of us here at Liberty Harbor East, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day in Harbor East and hope you’re able to indulge with one of these Baltimore treats.
Charm City Chocolate
Located on Hampden’s bustling 36th St., Charm City Chocolate features gourmet, small-batch, handmade chocolates that have been carefully curated with only the finest local ingredients and chocolate sourced from sustainable growers around the world.
At Charm City Chocolate, you can get the quintessential heart-shaped box of chocolates, as well as chocolate covered strawberries, truffles, bark, and more! Order online and simply pick-up at the store and treat your Sweetheart to something sweet!
Fells Point
Sacre Sucre
In nearby Fells Point, you’ll find some of the most exquisite chocolates, macarons, éclairs, marshmallows, and cakes that you’ve ever seen at Sacre Sucre.
For Valentine’s Day, they are offering heart-shaped macarons in Chocolate Raspberry, Cherry Almond, and Almond Praline. While their other offerings can change daily, keep an eye out for their artfully decorated bonbons and uniquely flavored chocolate bars, such as Cardamom Caramel with Milk Chocolate and Hazelnut. For something truly different and beautiful, try the Sofia Petit Gateau (pictured), which is Almond Cake with Crunchy Almond Praline, Almond Ganache, and an Earl-Grey Bergamot Mousse.
Federal Hill
Berries by Quicha
Who doesn’t love chocolate covered strawberries on Valentine’s Day? Berries by Quicha is a local, gourmet shop that focuses solely on chocolate covered strawberries.
While they offer traditional berries covered in milk or dark chocolate, what really makes Berries by Quicha special is all of their unique flavor offerings. From Cheesecake stuffed, to Oreo, to Red Velvet, to Snickers, to Reese’s, to Birthday Cake, there’s something for everyone at Berries by Quicha. You can even get custom designed berries with your logo or a photo of yourself! Berries by Quicha has made custom berries for Beyoncé, so, you know they’re good if Queen B approves!
While it’s strongly recommended to order in advance for Valentine’s Day, walk-ins are accepted at their Federal Hill location. Don’t want to deal with parking in Fed Hill? Order ahead and pick-up at their O’Donnell St. location. See locations and learn more here.
Station North
Lisa Anne’s Decadent Gifts
Perhaps one of Baltimore’s best-kept secrets is The Apple Lady, aka Lisa Anne’s Decadent Gifts, in Station North. While you may think of caramel apples as sub-par fair food, these are certainly not that! Their traditional toffee apple features a Granny Smith apple, hand-dipped in homemade caramel, drenched in white chocolate ganache, with tons of chocolate and toffee crunch pieces. They also carry dark chocolate, peanut butter, and s’mores apples.
Not an apple lover? Lisa Anne’s has still got you covered with truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, and s’mores. They even offer Canine Cannoli’s so you can spoil your favorite furry friend with a very special Valentine’s Day treat!
Contact them to order, as they offer free local delivery, or curb-side pick-up.
Little Italy
Vaccaros
If you’re a Baltimore native, then you already know about Vaccaro’s—the family-owned Italian pastry shop that’s been around since 1956. If you’re new to the area, then Vaccaro’s is simply a must!
Their cannoli’s are an authentic Sicilian favorite and feature rich whole milk ricotta stuffed into a regular or chocolate shell and topped with powdered sugar. Their rum cake, cassata cake, tiramisu, cheesecake, and Italian cookies are also delectable, and are sure to delight any Valentine.
Their Little Italy location is less than half a mile from Liberty Harbor East, but Vaccaro’s also has a location in Canton Square and Hunt Valley Town Centre.
Harbor East
Whole Foods
Can’t make it out of Harbor East? We don’t blame you! For a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift, stop by Whole Foods. For Prime members, both Chocolove chocolate bars and a dozen roses are on sale through February 14th.
If you’re really in a time crunch, you can take advantage of Whole Foods’ free 2-hour delivery through Amazon. Even bakery items like a Chocolate Heart Cake, are available online or in-store.
Happy Valentine’s Day
From all of us here at Liberty Harbor East, we wish you and your loved ones a very happy Valentine’s Day in Harbor East and hope you’re able to indulge with one of these Baltimore treats.