(Photo: Mitchell Feinberg)

The Best Bet
Aphrodisiac that it may be, chocolate is the obvious—and usual—Valentine’s Day choice. But those carefully assembled boxes come off a little tightly wound for what’s meant to be an exuberant celebration of love. Jacques Torres Chocolate Cheerios are giddy playfulness in candy form, reminiscent of childhood snacks but infinitely more sophisticated, fun to eat, and (at $5 a bag) very affordable. So what if you don’t have a valentine this year? That just means you get to eat them all yourself (350 Hudson St., nr. Charlton St.; 212-414-2462).