Not sure what to get your boo, the gals or your kiddos this Valentine’s Day? Well, as far as we’re concerned, food equals love, especially if there is cheese, chocolate or other indulgent ingredients involved. You gotta eat, and so do they, so opt for one of these five local foodie-centric gift ideas that go straight to the stomach, from a heart-shaped Mountain Mike’s pizza to rare, chile-infused truffles from Kokak Chocolates.
Bucca di Beppo Lasagna Lovefest: Our pulses quickened at the sight of the towering, heart-shaped lasagna that is the centerpiece of Italian restaurant Bucca di Beppo’s three-course meal. The perfect-for-two lasagna is layered with meat sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan cheeses. It comes with garlic bread, a small green or Caesar salad and cannoli adorned with heart-shaped sprinkles. Details: $60. Locations in Campbell, Palo Alto and San Francisco. Available for dine-in or to-go Feb. 14 only; www.bucadibeppo.com.
Salt & Straw February Chocolatier Series: Valentine’s Day is not for Chunky Monkey. Step up your game with a limited-time flavor from Salt & Straw Ice Cream. The five flavors, including Compartés Coffee & Love Nuts, are made in partnership with artisanal chocolatiers from the Bay Area and beyond. Look for Dandelion Cocoa Nibs & Frangipane, made with dark cocoa nibs from the San Francisco company and a swirl of frangipane flecked with crushed almonds. Details: $13. Available through February in-store and via shipping. Locations in San Ramon, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Burlingame and San Francisco; https://saltandstraw.com.
Mountain Mike’s heart-shaped pizza: Available for the entire month, these 20-inch heart-shaped pies are the perfect way to celebrate with friends or the kiddos. Now in its fourth year, these Valentine pizzas are hand-made to order and oven-baked in a heart shape, cut or uncut and with any one topping of your choice. May we suggest the crispy, curly pepperonis? Available for carry-out, dine-in or delivery. Details: $23. Locations in Danville, Walnut Creek, Moraga, Antioch, Belmont, Castro Valley, Los Gatos and beyond; www.mountainmikespizza.com.
Kokak Chocolates Eternal Flame Truffle Collection: Spice things up with this collaboration between two women-owned NorCal businesses. San Francisco’s Kokak Chocolates teamed up with Boonville Farm Collective, grower of the rare Comapeño chile, to create this six-piece truffle collection. The box includes bright, citrusy Hot Hot Chocolate Truffles and Vanilla Bean Sea Salt Caramel Truffles made with fair trade Nacional cacao from Ecuador. Details: $26. Open 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wed-Sun at 3901 18th St., San Francisco. Or order online, and it ships within 1 to 2 days; www.kokakchocolates.com.
Tous les Jours Bee Mine Cake: Tous les Jours, the French-Asian bakery café chain known for its artisan pastries, cookies and other desserts, has unveiled several specialty cakes in honor of Valentine’s Day. We’re buzzing over the seven-inch Bee Mine Cake, which features sweet mango buttercream, white sponge cake and acacia honey glaze layers. The cake is one of five in the Bee My Valentine series. Details: Availability varies by location. Check with bakeries in Dublin, Fremont, Santa Clara and San Jose; www.tljus.com.
Source: www.mercurynews.com