"valentines day" news and stories

We've been taste-testing chocolates for quite some time (a tough job, but someone has to do it), and several years ago, we put Valentine's Day boxed chocolates to a test for the best. But since then, so much has changed -- there are new chocolatiers, and recent chocolate trends have led to new chocolate combinations. We knew it was time to update our gallery.

After tasting more than 45 different boxes, we've created six categories: Best box for kids, best drug-store box, best box for men, best box for caramel lovers, most beautiful creations and overall best box.

After the jump, click through our gallery of best boxed chocolates and see which chocolates won our hearts (and will win yours).

• One blogger is eating her way through the hundreds of menu items at the Hollywood's Jitlada. Hey, it's a tough job, but somebody's gotta do it.
• What's the best focaccia topping? (Trick question!)
• Ready for Valentine's Day? Los Angeles restaurateurs are.
• French toast: It's not just for breakfast anymore.

The Christmas decorations are down and the New Year's Champagne bottles hauled to the recycling bin: it must be time to start planning for Valentine's Day! This year, why settle for a heart-shaped box of chocolates when you can literally bathe your sweetheart in milk chocolate?

And by literally, we mean literally.

Throughout the month of February, the ultra-luxe Auberge du Soleil hotel in Napa Valley will be offering what you might call the crème de la crème de cacao of romantic spa treatments. The decadent, multi-stage, chocolate-themed treatment for two begins with "a delectable cacao and grape seed exfoliation" and ends with a full-body massage using chocolate-and-spice massage oil, according to our sister site Luxist.

In between the exfoliation and the massage is the real coup: the smitten couple steals away to a private outdoor garden where (we kid you not), they slip into a milk chocolate bath for two "while indulging in dessert and specially paired wine." ("Dessert"? Aren't they already swimming in the stuff?)

A few of the best Valentine's Day links on the Web this week:

• For the traditionalists, you'll heart this full-on Valentine's Day menu to make at home.
• And for the calorie counters, there's this more restrained menu to try.
• Even chefs have to impress their sweethearts with something to eat -- oysters and champagne, anyone?
• Anything-but-boring restaurant ideas for your romantic evening.
• Valentine's restaurant reservation scalpers caught red handed.

If you're anything like me, you're trying to pare down and keep unnecessary equipment to a minimum. That's why it's great to know you can still enjoy a bubbling pot of fondue without the special equipment. By using a piece of kitchen gear you've already got -- a crock pot or a saucepan -- you can make a sweet or savory snack perfect for any Valentine's Day celebration. If you don't have a crockpot, use your saucepan on a very low flame.

Recipes after the jump.