Short List: Ode to Valentine's Day chocolatiers

Welcome to The Short List. Each week, we'll pick a topic and share our favorite — or, in some cases, maybe our least favorite — things about the Bay area.

In case you've been living under a rock, Valentine's Day is next week. So consider this your warning. Back away from the Whitman's Sampler. We worked hard researching (and taste-testing) some of the Bay area's finest chocolates. (Hey, it's all for you.) Here are our top four places to buy your sweetie chocolate and one alternative for a gift with a personal touch.

Debbie's Chocolate Delight, 2086 W. Busch Blvd., (813) 933-7377 — This veritable candy wonderland has been satisfying chocolate lovers for 19 years. There are so many choices, you'll be hard pressed to pick just one: Handmade turtles and almond bark, bon-bons, chocolate-covered pretzels, caramels, marshmallows, butter creams and more. And they can turn your heart's desire into confection from more than 4,000 molds (including naughty ones).

Schakolad, 408 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, (813) 259-1099 — A place so sweet, you may need insulin just driving by. Build your own box from assorted chocolates and signature truffles made on the premises. For Valentine's Day, candy makers raise the bar on creativity with chocolate champagne glasses filled with cherries, 3D chocolate roses and heart boxes made of chocolate and filled with chocolate. (Order online at www.schakolad.com)

William Dean Chocolates, 2790 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, (727) 593-0656 — Is it possible to have a box of chocolates so beautiful you can't eat them? In this case, possibly, so take a picture before you begin biting into flavors such as Grand Marnier caramel, crème brulee, banana's foster and Mexican mango. Many celebrities have touted these local chocolates. (Order online at www.williamdeanchocolates.com)

City Street Sweets, 1605 Snow Ave., Tampa, (813) 251-6764 — Handmade chocolates call to those who walk by this shop in Hyde Park Village. Fudge, truffles, chocolate-dipped pretzels and flavorful barks such as cherry pecan and sea salt almond will delight your Valentine. Definitely consider a box of artisan chocolates with flavors such as the tart keylime sunset and cocoa caliente with a hint of ancho chile pepper.

Make your own — Handmade with love is the way to go if you are short on cash. Everyone loves chocolate dipped strawberries and they couldn't be easier to make (or cheaper!). Just melt one cup of semi-sweet morsels with one teaspoon of Crisco in the microwave, occasionally mixing until smooth. Dip sweet Plant City berries (cleaned and dried) in the chocolate and place on wax paper to chill in the fridge.