Arizona Foothills Magazine - Now That's Amore!

Now That's Amore!

Not even Cupid could make a chocolate lover swoon this much. For Valentine’s Day—or any day you’d like—Executive Pastry Chef Pierino Jermonti of T. Cook’s at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa whips up stunning handmade Chocolate Boxes, using white chocolate and semisweet dark chocolate. The pastry pro then fills his creation with freshly made truffles. (Fellas, he can even stash an engagement ring inside should you wish!) Prices start at $45 and top out at $700; orders require a minimum of 48 hours’ notice and up to a week for elaborate projects. 602.808.0766, www.royalpalmshotel.com.

Sugar High

Hush that little voice inside your head for just a moment. You know—

the one that urges you to avoid delicious temptations like caramel and marshmallows. Now, hop online, purchase the sticky, chewy, messy, gooey: desserts for the serious sweet tooth cookbook (about $25) and fulfill this month’s sugar intake quota. www.delight.com.

Timely Recipe

AKIKO'S HEART

This Valentine’s Day, the Don Juans of the world will have some tough

competition with this aphrodisiac-infused cocktail. The bois bande liquor will give your palate some love in this romantic concoction served at Roka Akor Restaurant.

2 oz. Bois bande shochu

3 Raspberries

2 tsp. Cane sugar

1/4 oz. Fresh pineapple juice

1/4 oz. Fresh lemon

1 Shiso leaf

3 Hojiso flowers Champagne

In a Boston glass, muddle the trimmed raspberries with one shiso leaf and the cane sugar. Top with crushed ice and add the bois bande shochu,the fresh pineapple juice and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with Champagne and garnish with three purple hojiso blossoms. —Kasey Bowser

Creams of the Crop

Treat the loves of your life—from your pops to your pup—to something slightly unexpected this Valentine’s Day: ice cream.

With scrumptious flavors like Sicilian Pistachio and Crème Fraîche, Los Angeles-based Boule is the Tiffany & Company of ice cream and sorbet. (Like the famed jeweler, Boule wraps its goods in signature blue packaging!) $22 for two pints. 310.289.9977, www.boulela.com.

They wouldn’t have named this dense and decadent ice cream SheerBliss if it was anything short of heavenly. $6 per pint.www.sheerbliss.com.

San Diego’s The Cookie Sandwich Co., using the fail-proof combo of cookies and ice cream, dishes up divine goodies like the S’mores Chocolate Ganache Cookie Sandwich and the Red Velvet

Cookie Sandwich. About $25 per dozen. 619.520.3657, www.cookiesandwich.com. Skip the kibble this V-day. Treat your terrier to organic Yöghund—it’s like frozen yogurt for your four-legged

pal. $6. 877.964.4863, www.yoghund.com.

Six-Month Lease!