World class chocolates in the Valley of Hearts Delight

You've made dinner reservations at a romantic restaurant (I did at Pezzella's Italian Restaurant in Sunnyvale, CA) and you might have picked up a little something for her at her favorite store (I did that too. How about a beautiful orchid plant.) but then there's always sweets for your sweets for Valentine's Day.


Here are some world class chocolatiers from Silicon Valley to Santa Cruz:


Chocolate Dream Box

• 710 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos. 408-356-2626

Pictured are hand-crafted chocolates in beautiful boxes by Chocolate Dream Box

Fleur e Cocoa Patisserie Chocolaterie

39 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos. 408-354-3574

Pictured are selected handmade chocolates from Fleur de Cocoa

Richard Donnelly Chocolates

• 1509 Mission Street, Santa Cruz. 888-685-1871

Saratoga Chocolates

• 14572-B Big Basin Way, Saratoga. 408-872-1431

Schurra's Fine Confections

• 840 The Alameda, San Jose. 408-289-1562

Shokolaat

• 516 University Avenue, Palo Alto. 650-289-0719

Sugar Butter Flour

• 669 S. Bernardo Avenue, Sunnyvale. 408-732-8597

Pictured is Dark Chocolate Ganache Truffle from Sugar Butter Flour



Testarossa Vineyards

Why mention a winery? Because they're hosting a wine and chocolate pairing event on Saturday, February 14th from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Five of their award-winning wines will be paired with delectable chocolates. Nominal tasting cost is refunded upon a purchase of Testarossa wines. They're located in the historic Novitiate Winery in Los Gatos. It happens to be the oldest continuously operated winery in the Bay Area dating from 1888. And, I just happen to own a bottle of Novitiate Cabernet from about 1970!






Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks for reading! What do you do for Valentine's Day?

Real Eats -- Pezzella's Villa Napoli, Sunnyvale, CA

Standing room only! That's how it was from the time my wife and I got to Pezzella's until the time we left!

Dinner at Pezzella's is something special for us so we chose it for Valentine's Day dinner, even though we've been regular patrons for many years.

Reservations made about a week before made the experience even better as we were seated at the time we reserved and left many waiting in the lobby area. So, as with many things in life, planning ahead makes it more enjoyable.

We started off with an off-menu item -- spinach salad. One of our Pezzella's favorite, so instead of splitting a salad which we do frequently, we each ordered one! Inside tip: they often will make this delicious salad even though its not on their regular menu.

For our main courses, my wife had her favorite Red Linguine Misto with clams, prawns, and crab. "It was great" was her words! My entree was off their special Valentine's Day menu. I ordered the Petrale Sole with lemon-butter caper sauce. In addition to a very generous portion of sole, it was served with rice and grilled veggies and was outstanding.

We topped it off with a Chocolate Tartuffo (ball of gelato) coated with pistachios and cocoa and served with whipped cream. Wow!

Service was attentive but not overbearing and prices were reasonable so we continue to be pleased with the value package (excellent food, great service and reasonable prices) they present.

Pezzella's, a family-owned restaurant, has been a part of Sunnyvale for more than 50 years and greeting us last night was Pat and Margie Pezzella who are always so gracious and helpful.

To view an excellent website with lunch and dinner menus, photos of menu items and more go to www.pezzellas.com.

Pezzella’s Villa Napoli, 1025 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA (408) 738-2400.

When you go, say "hello" to Pat and Margie!

Thanks for reading!