- January 31, 2026
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When I think about a true celebration of chocolate, my mind goes back to the homemade chocolate fudge sauce my mom still makes every Christmas, ladled lovingly into jars for neighbors and friends. A little further back in my memory Rolodex, I remember the chocolate drizzle my Mimi poured over her English toffee. It was so good that everyone from church (and beyond!) would show up at her door year after year, begging for the recipe.
And there’s that scene from the 1990s classic "Matilda," the one that permanently etched chocolate into all of our childhood brains. Who can forget a school cafeteria frozen in horror and awe as Bruce Bogtrotter is forced to eat a massive slice of impossibly rich chocolate cake under the glare of Miss Trunchbull?
Frosting smeared, crumbs everywhere, victory achieved one bite at a time. It was as horrifying as it was glorious. Somehow, it made all of us want chocolate cake immediately.
No matter what your core chocolate memory looks like — homemade, movie-inspired or straight-from-the-bakery indulgent, one thing is clear: It’s time to celebrate. So grab a fork (or lick the pan if you aren't afraid to pull a Bruce) and lean into the sweetness, because Celebration of Chocolate Month deserves nothing less.
1283 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-955-2676; BestFood.com
Sweet Dreams Are Made of: Michael’s doesn’t just serve dessert, they serve a chocolate fantasy (those exist, right?). The Brownie Ice Cream Stack layers rich dark chocolate brownie with Heath Bar crunch, espresso crunch and vanilla bean ice creams, all draped in warm chocolate sauce. The end result? A decadent, fork-required experience that is 100% worth every bite (especially when paired with an espresso martini).
My Choco-Full Valentine: I could talk about the Chocolate Blackout Cake, but how many times are our gluten-free friends left out? So let’s give some love to the gluten-free vegan chocolate cheesecake. This layered dream of silky chocolate ganache, rich chocolate cheesecake and chocolate cookie crumble, all finished with delicate chocolate shavings, will send your dietary restrictions swooning.
4832 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; 941-706-4225; 7246 55th Ave. E., Bradenton; 941-201-6002; 411 N. Orange Ave., Sarasota; 941-364-8767; 8491 Cooper Creek Blvd., Bradenton; 941-210-4760; TheBreakfastCompanyFl.com.
Sweet Dreams Are Made of: Pancakes ($11.95), French toast ($13.95) or Belgian waffles ($12.95). Honestly, there’s no wrong move here. But for this celebration, I indulgently recommend taking things one step further and adding the Boston cream upgrade ($2.95). A mix of vanilla custard, chocolate fudge ganache and whipped cream turns your fluffy, brioche-based or crispy breakfast favorite into a morning indulgence that feels equal parts brunch and dessert, exactly how starting the day should feel.
My Choco-Full Valentine: Looking for a hot chocolate that should be on the happy hour menu but you can get first thing in the morning? Tipsy Cocoa Vodka ($9.95) topped with whipped cream, a generous chocolate drizzle and rainbow sprinkles is the buzz you never knew you needed.
1371 Blvd. of the Arts, Unit 3, Sarasota; 646-285-5024; GreatHeightsCreamery.com
Sweet Dreams Are Made of: The Darkness ice cream. This scoop isn’t here to play, it’s here to seduce. Great Heights Creamery’s rich, dark chocolate stracciatella is so intensely cocoa-forward you almost need a flashlight. The fact that it’s gluten-free feels like a small miracle. Single scoops start at $6 and you can indulge from there.
My Choco-Full Valentine: This chocolate hazelnut scoop is proof that vegan ice cream has officially entered its main character era. Made with a dreamy cashew and coconut milk base, it’s smooth, chocolatey and kissed with nutty hazelnut richness that will make you forget it’s dairy-free, gluten-free and plant-based. Decadent, yes. Compromising? Not even a little.
