Being an NYer it goes without saying that holidays are a joy to celebrate, and that includes the lover’s holiday – Valentine’s day!

There are a ton of places to dine, and activities to do with your love doves. One of my favorites is to indulge in the oh so fabulous MarieBelle cafe.

MarieBelle – A cafe lover’s delight

I happened upon this place some years back while strolling through Soho in Manhattan. Located perfectly in a prime window-shopping area, MarieBelle is the little European charm that the concrete jungle needed. It is one of the most idyllic and classically decorated establishments I have ever visited. Interestingly, it changes its theme depending on the season or holiday. Yet the cafe still maintains a fresh and elegant ambiance.

The owner, Maribel Lieberman, who is of Honduran descent, is a fashion designer turned chocolate connoisseur. Her creativity exudes throughout every nook and cranny of the cafe. The entrance is a storefront in which you can feast your eyes on all chocolate gifts and goodies. The back is where you will find the admired, Cacao Bar. This is where you dine.

Chocolate all day!

Opened in 2002, MarieBelle specializes in gourmet, luxury chocolates. These chocolates are handmade and produced from the finest and rarest cacao on earth – the Criollo cacao bean. After it is sourced, it is infused with a wide variety of flavors from all over the world – be it lavender, rum, raspberries, lemons, etc. To be completely honest, the passion that is put into creating these chocolates is both palpable and palatable! Their most raved chocolates are their ganaches.

Yet, MarieBelle does not only focus on creating chocolates. They also have a delicious selection of dishes, desserts, and even drinks. This leads me to my next topic….

My recommended dish for lovebirds

I’ve had quite a few dishes at MarieBelle’s but the one that never ceases to get my tastebuds tingling is their popular chocolate fondue. Trust me when I tell you, both you and your lover will be feeling the butterflies all over again. And even if it’s just you and some family or friends celebrating Valentine’s Day, it’s a great opportunity to share at the moment.

The fondue comes in a selection of chocolate flavors. I usually go for the melted dark chocolate. It is served with fresh seasonal fruits. If you are really digging it, you might want to try their other flavors while you are at it. You won’t regret it.

Other highlights

• The service here is impeccable! A warm smile goes a long way. This makes the experience that much better. Not to mention the sounds of European classics. You will feel as though you are in France or at times, even Italy!
• Be sure to glimpse MarieBelle’s dazzling signature chandelier. Believe it or not, they can even top a drink with an imprint of it for you.
• The Aztec Hot Chocolate was featured in “Oprah’s Favorite Things.”
• Although it is ideal to make reservations, you can also just walk in. The staff will be fully accommodating to you.

For more ideas on fantastic places to enjoy holidays in NY, be sure to check out my future posts.

Happy Valentine’s Day!