Page 28 February 2014 Valentine dessert ideas for all the people in your life By Amanda Savage For the Chocolate Obsessed Julia Baker Confections Biltmore Fashion Park (602) 845-4440 Julia Baker Confections is a perfect spot to pick up a box of chocolates or to take a date for drinks and dessert. The storefront at the Biltmore serves as a retail store for all of Julia’s creations and a sort of bar - coffee shop hybrid. Women love it for the chocolates, wine and champagne all wrapped up in a pink, European- inspired atmosphere. Men be warned, this place is extremely girly. But a nice dinner, followed up with a stroll through the Biltmore and a stop at Julia’s is pretty close to the perfect date. Romantic Date Night Crudo 3603 E Indian School Rd (602) 358-8666 Crudo’s warm, intimate environment makes it a perfect date spot. This local favorite serves up mouth-watering desserts by Tracy Dempsey’s Originals. Dempsey is a local dessert guru who crafts desserts for local restaurants. Crudo offers three Dempsey’s Originals: Fossil Creek Chevre Mousse with Hazelnut Biscotti Streusel and Blueberry Compote, Chocolate Espresso Budino with Salted Caramel Crema and Milano Cookie and Cherry and Chevre Strudel with White Chocolate, Crème Fraiche, Almonds. Pair dessert with one of Crudo’s famous handcrafted cocktails, like the 1951 and Triple Lindy. Casual Dessert Spot Churn 5223 N Central Ave (602) 279-8024 For couples with little ones as well as younger couples, Valentine’s Day may not be the candle lit, romantic affair that’s seen on movies and T.V. But don’t be quick to write off casual as meaning anything less that how you dress, because Churn serves up some of the best ice cream in the Valley. “Churn is a great casual dessert spot because of the friendly, throw-back atmosphere coupled with an amazing dessert selection. It will remind you of your first date!” notes Executive Pastry Chef, Monica Castillo. She also mentions that you should try the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae. Churn is a terrific casual spot for a Valentine’s Day dessert date. The “Healthy” Spot Nami 2014 N 7th St (602) 258-6264 The words “dessert” and “healthy” seem a bit ironic to put together, but if it ever made sense to put them together, Nami would be the spot. Nami serves up dairy-free and gluten- free strawberry cheesecake, brownies, cupcakes and their famous Nami tSoynami (pretty much a more-delicious, dairy-free Blizzard). A tSoynami starts as a soft serve, soy based ice cream, then has special ingredients mixed in to form creations like “Cookies ‘n’ Cream,” made with Newman’s Chocolate O’s and organic chocolate and “Fluffernutterin,” made with organic peanut butter, banana, Desserts Continued from page 28 Continued on page 29 Nami serves up healthy dessert options. Raspberry Chiffon Pie from the Pie Snob. Decadent desserts at Julia Baker Confections. 602-956-0178 4144 E. Indian School Book your fiesta at the NEW TeePee patio Italian Treat for 2... $ 44 00 ★ 2 Soup or Salad ★ + ★ 2 Dinner Entrees ★ 20 entree choices included + ★ Full Bottle of Wine ★ from proprietor’s selection Open Mon–Sun 4:30 - 9:30pm 4231 E Indian School Rd • Phoenix 602.955.1213 • LaFontanellaPHX.com Live, Laugh and Love Dining Out! Expires 02/28/14. Not valid on Valentine’s Day. Maximum 6 people per table. Not valid with other offers or special events. Valid only with payment in cash. INCLUDES Chef Owned ~ Originally from Chicago Serving the valley for over 30 years for ★ ★ ★ ★ “Best of Phoenix” -Phoenix Magazine

Page 29 February 2014 ur life ricemellow fluff and toasted marshmallow flavor. There are 17 original tSoynami creations along with 7 fruit-flavored options. Pastry Lovers Urban Cookies 4711 N Seventh St (602) 451-4335 Urban Cookies is a family-owned bakery that has perfected the art of pastries. If your Valentine has a weak spot for pastries - cookies, cupcakes, brownies, donuts - nothing will say I love you more than a box of baked goodness from Urban Cookies. Urban’s baked goods are made-from-scratch, organic and comprised of local ingredients, and their Ollie Cake cupcakes won Food Network’s Cupcake Wars (yep, they’re that good). Try their classic snickerdoodle and dark chocolate walnut (made with coconut and oats) cookies and their brown velvet (red velvet without the dye) and peanut butter cupcakes. Take It To Go - Pie Snob 4220 E Turney (480) 635-2425 Pie Snob is the perfect spot to grab a dessert to take home after dinner, or the perfect addition to a dinner you prepare at home. The homemade, family recipe pies are a local favorite. Owner of Pie Snob, Traci Wilbur recommends the Raspberry Chiffon Pie, “because it features all the colors of Valentines Day: fresh red raspberries on the bottom, pink raspberry chiffon in the middle and white whipped cream on top!” Wilbur also notes that the Lemon Tart is in season and that her Mississippi Mud Pie and Chocolate Tart are chocolate sublime. Traci is also offering Arcadia News Readers $5 off when you mention this story. Desserts Continued from page 28 Continued on page 29 experience and its intimate ambiance make it a perfect place to take the vegetarian in your life. On Valentine’s Day they will offer their full-menu along with a three course Sweethearts Menu. Although their 2014 Valentine’s Day menu has not been finalized, last year’s menu, along with the options on their regular menu, offer vegetarian starters, soups, salads and sides, although no vegetarian entree options. Not to be discouraged, with a fresh garden on-site, Executive Chef James Ducas says that the kitchen staff is able and happy to alter regular items to make them vegan and vegetarian. “It’s actually a great way to work one- on-one with our culinary team in creating something specific to your tastes,” said Ducas. There are many vegan wine options available in Lon’s 1000+ collection. Bill Parker, Beverage Manager, notes that local favorite Arizona Stronghold is both vegan and delicious. Christopher’s 2502 E Camelback Rd #102 (602) 522-2344 Christopher’s offers a contemporary, casual but elegant dining experience that mirrors the American Contemporary French style of food. Christopher’s casual sophistication makes it a perfect spot for date night. The dinner menu offers vegetarian first plates, salads, pizzas, sides and desserts. While there are no vegan options on the menu, Executive Chef Christopher Gross notes that he and his staff “will always accommodate our guest’s special requests.” Vegetarians can start with the four cheeses with honey combo and order the beet salad and wild mushrooms, shallots and arugula wood fire pizza. Vegetarian Continued from page 27 True Food Kitchen 2502 E Camelback Rd #135 (602) 774-3488 For those of you who are still going strong with your New Year’s diet resolutions, True Food is a healthy, and delicious option for vegans and vegetarians. The regular menu will be offered on Valentine’s Day and is packed with vegan and vegetarian options. Vegans and vegetarians have options for starters, entrees and salads like their shiitake and tofu lettuce cups, edamame dumplings, teriyaki brown rice bowl and a variety of salads. Instead of suggestions on what to order (it’s pretty much all good), Chef Michael Stebner decided to offer a few vegetarian romance tips: “Tofu helps a man avoid prostate issues which tend to slow things down.” “Incorporate ginger into your diet for its anti-inflammatory properties which help to increase blood flow, if you know what I mean.” “Overall vegetarians are 90 percent less likely to be overweight and in better physical condition than meat eaters, which leads to more energy for the one you love.” Caprese Salad at Lon’s at the Hermosa • 3920 S. Central Ave., Phoenix • 4121 N. 44th St., Phoenix Fax: 602-952-9233 • 5516 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale We’re happy to serve you at any one of our 8 convenient Valley Locations • 22 S. Mesa Dr., Mesa • 1017 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe • 1111 E. Buckeye Rd., Phoenix • 2628 W. Van Buren, Phoenix • 9309 W. Van Buren, Tolleson from your friends at Pete’s Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Happy Valentine’s Day!!! • Burgers, Dogs, Burritos • Scrumptious Fish & Chips! • Drive Through/Take-out Orders are Our Specialty • Now Offering Children’s Menu at Some Locations! • 32 oz. soda for 99¢ Need a menu? Visit our web site: www.petesfishandchips.com We Arcadia Locals! Enjoy 1/2 off bottles of wine and $2 off house cocktails every Sunday starting February 9th! Extended Happy Hour 11am-6pm! SE corner indian school + 36th st tucked inside gaslight square (602) 651-1390 | nookkitchen.com arcadia’s eatery