Valentine’s Day – heart-shaped everything and an official green light to show our loved ones how much they mean to us (not that we ever really need one). Sure, you can go the traditional route – like red roses and chocolates – but there are several local spots in the Biscayne Corridor where blooms and bites are a tad more original.
For foodies, there’s a lovely local shop with delicious gourmet items for creating the perfect charcuterie board, and if your loved one is all about culture and the arts, there’s a spot just minutes away where you can find a delightfully artsy gift.
Join us on a tour of our top four hot spots for gifts that are extra sweet.
Le Chocolatier
(Le Chocolatier)
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a Valentine’s Day fave at Le Chocolatier.
1840 NE 164th St., North Miami Beach
305.944.3020
Owned by Marlene and Joseph Marmor since 1980, Le Chocolatier has been a fixture in downtown North Miami Beach for more than four decades. Enter their intimate shop through a garden entrance, open the door, then take in a whiff of the kosher chocolate that’s been prepared right on the premises.
Be ready to spend some time here – the selection is extensive and choosing just one item will be tough. The cute truffle boxes come two, four or six to an order and include both familiar and more exotic, decadent flavors.
The Marmors prepare a host of themed boxes for Valentine’s Day, some with large heart-shaped chocolates meant to be cracked open – fun! Chocolate-covered strawberries, always a favorite, are available dipped in white, milk or dark chocolate, or a combination thereof.
(Twigs & Daisies)
A whimsically styled and custom-designed bouquet from Twigs & Daisies in the MiMo District.
Twigs & Daisies
7246 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
786.403.7697
In the heart of the MiMo District along Biscayne Boulevard sits a quaint flower shop, Twigs & Daisies, where even the name evokes its charming nature.
Co-owned by Sabrina Cohen and Ninfa Diaz, the attention to detail in their custom arrangements is evident in the floral selections and design.
(Twigs & Daisies)
“All our arrangements are custom made by designers who work here, created with a unique, floral garden-gathered whimsical style,” said Cohen.
Bouquets are created based on the customer’s budget and with a specific color palette that mixes a light and bright mix of blooms. Arrangements can be pre-ordered for pick up or delivery through the shop’s website until Feb. 7; after that walk-in and custom orders will be subject to availability.
Mimmo’s Mozzarella
(Josie Gulliksen for Biscayne Times)
A sublimely savory charcuterie board of meats and cheeses from North Miami’s Mimmo’s Mozzarella.
475 NE 123rd St., North Miami
305.351.6826
Mimmo’s Mozzarella owner Bruno Ponce is passionate about cheese making, and in 2010 he decided to take the leap from making fresh mozzarella at home to opening up Mimmo’s in a tiny location in the heart of downtown North Miami.
Ponce’s location may be small but it’s what makes his place so charming, and its size doesn’t impact the cheese selection. That’s beyond impressive, as are all the other imported Italian products sold here.
It’s the ideal place for any foodie searching for all the necessary ingredients to create an impressively abundant and delectable charcuterie board for their honey on Valentine’s Day. The mozzarella varieties include traditional burrata, truffle flavored, knot, oval or log shaped. For a real treat, try the mozzarella curd with cranberries, one of Ponce’s specialties.
Pair any one of these mozzarellas with Mimmo’s semi-hard, soft or provolone cheese, olives and other items from its market, and fresh bread to create that perfect board. Then take it on a picnic or back home for a romantic repast.
Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami
(World Red Eye)
The shop at Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami is an unexpected resource for unique gifts.
770 NE 125th St., North Miami
305.893.6211
Visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami (MOCA) means experiencing world-class art, of course, but for the discerning shopper there are other reasons to walk through the doors.
The gift shop right by the front desk shouldn’t be overlooked, as it’s a stellar place to shop for a special someone, especially for Valentine’s Day. Inside the colorful store are books, journals, scarves and plenty of artsy items to please any art-loving, culture-hungry love interest.