Value for Money

CHOCOLATISSIMO
€5 for 85g, €53.85 per kg

If size matters to you when it comes to Valentine's Day, you might want to steer clear of these. They look beautiful and taste good – we particularly like the white and pink creamy toppings – but the box is simpy too small, and any romantic with a love of chocolate will have them wolfed before you can say "and what did you get me?" The lack of variety is a problem as well, and while the creamy fondants are nice, the chocolate is a bit disappointing.

Verdict: On the small side.
Star rating: **

PRESTAT
€11.95 for 105g, €113.80 per kg

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 3

Gourmet Chocolate Pizza Company

We found these chocolates in Avoca and fell in love with the pink heart-shaped box. We are disappointed when we open the box to see just eight small chocolates inside, although that disappointment dissipates somewhat as we start to eat them. We get four dark chocolates, three milk ones and one white chocolate, and the ones we eat – yes, all of them – are very tasty. However, at almost €114 a kilogram, they do seem wildly overpriced.

Verdict: Too dear.
Star rating: ***

GOURMET CHOCOLATE PIZZA COMPANY
€20 for 550g, €36.36 per kg

Sorry, what’s this now? A pizza? Made of chocolate? Why if that isn’t the most wonderful thing we have ever heard . . . While it might not say romance as clearly as a dozen red roses and a bottle of champagne, we love the idea all the same. There are eight slices of chocolate pizzas with white and dark chocolate toppings flecked with pieces of fudge, Maltesers and Smarties. Despite the wow factor, it is not without its flaws. The slices are massive and a bit samey. We struggle to eat a single slice. And who struggles eating chocolate?

Verdict: Novel.
Star rating: ****


MARKS & SPENCER
€37.50 for 450g, €83.33 per kg

It is love at first sight with these chocolates. There is a selection of milk, dark and white chocolates with raspberry, hazelnut, dulce de leche, butterscotch, Marc de Champagne and passion fruit-flavoured fillings. We try our best but cannot find a chocolate we don't like. The M&S sticker at the back peels off handily enough – we have nothing against M&S, but own-brand chocolates are possibly not the most romantic thing in the world. They are quite expensive, but sometimes it is worth paying that little bit extra.

Verdict: Love, actually.
Star rating: *****