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Chocolate truffles from Pelican Hill Resort

Chocolate Fond-You

by Kristen Schott | Riviera Orange County magazine | January 27, 2012

Want to indulge this Valentine’s Day? There’s plenty of sweet fun to be had. Here, a few of our favorite options.

Chocolate Dip
Treat your skin to what your taste buds crave at the Surf & Sand Resort’s Aquaterra Spa when you receive its Chocolate Indulgence treatment, available through the end of the month. The sensuous, 80-minute selection begins with a scrub in the Vichy room that combines antioxidant-rich dark chocolate pieces with a moisturizing sugar base. That’s followed by a white chocolate soufflé wrap and massage. The treatment leaves your skin refreshed—with every sweet desire satisfied. Even better: The spa sends you home with a recipe for the scrub and a chocolate-infused dessert. 1555 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 949.497.4477, surfandsandresort.com

Cocoa Craze
Newport denizens are nuts for the Island Hotel’s Cocoa Lounge at Palm Terrace Restaurant, which is serving up drool-worthy confections created by Executive Pastry Chef Michael Owens through Feb. 25. This year, he’s crafted everything from banana chocolate mousse cake to double chocolate fudge s’mores—yep, it’s a diabetic’s worst nightmare. Not enough? Then book a 30-minute peppermint chocolate scrub and 60-minute massage in the spa. 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.0808, islandhotel.com

Truffle-licious
This month, it’s all about sweets at the Montage Laguna Beach. Delight in The Loft’s organic raspberry rose and rare chocolate collection of truffles, macaroons and cupcakes. And on Feb. 14, diners go home with a fluer de sel brownie, made with rare Valrhona araguani chocolate. Over at The Resort at Pelican Hill’s Caffé, Valentine’s Day brings cocoa confections, like seasonal sweetheart chocolate macaroons filled with sea salt caramel or raspberry rosewater ganache, and chocolate-covered strawberries from Irvine Ranch. 30801 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, 866.271.6953, montagelagunabeach.com; 22701 Pelican Hill Road S., Newport Coast, 949.467.6800, pelicanhill.com