Valentine’s Day specials at Annedore’s Confectioners, 5000 State Line Road, include chocolate hearts and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

There are few things in this world as well-received as the gift of chocolate. And whether it’s a Valentine’s Day present, something to butter up your co-workers, or just a treat for yourself, quality matters. This week we’ll look at some of the best chocolatiers and confectionaries in the Kansas City area before a quick preview of what’s on stage this week. 

Since Andre Bollier and his wife, Elsbeth, first immigrated to Kansas City from Basel, Switzerland, in 1955, Andre’s Confiserie Suisse at 5018 Main St., has served a wide variety of chocolate truffles, tortes, caramels, pastries, cookies and specialty items. Today, Andre’s is run by the family’s second and third generations, who have overseen its expansion and the addition of a second area location at 4929 W. 119th St. in Overland Park. 

In addition to the chocolates and pastries at the Main Street location, Andre’s Tea Room serves authentic Swiss lunches from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Dishes are served from a fixed menu that is viewable at andreschocolates.com, with rotating specialties including curried chicken, pork loin roast, cod Florentine and poulet shnitzel (quiche Lorraine and a cheese pie are served daily).

Dishes cost $16.75 including tax at the Tea Room, which is set in a cozy, timbered space resembling a Swiss ski chalet. The café in the adjoining building serves a variety of sandwiches, salads and a la carte items, as well as coffee, wine and beer, in a more modern space that is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 

Valentine’s Day specials at Annedore’s Confectioners, 5000 State Line Road, include chocolate hearts and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

The Ande’s Rivaz Tea Room in Overland Park is also open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a menu similar to the Tea Room at the original location, and it also serves coffee, tea and pastries before and after lunch until 4:00 p.m. To see more of what Andre’s has to offer, visit andreschocolates.com. 

On the corner of 50th and State Line, just west of the Country Club Plaza, Annedore’s Confectioners sells some of the tastiest truffles in town, along with unique chocolate creations like chocolate cows, Plaza lights, toothbrushes, a chocolate “A-phone,” and seven different flavors of chocolate bark (sheets of milk or dark chocolate topped with pecans, oranges, pistachio, ginger and other items).

Valentine’s specials include chocolate hearts and chocolate-dipped strawberries, but my favorite item might be the bags of chocolate-covered gummy bears. Annedore’s is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Sunday, and online at annedores.com.

While you’re in the neighborhood, walk down the block to Hi Hat Coffee, a former filling station turned coffee shop that serves specialty coffee drinks Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

No mention of area chocolate specialists would be complete without including Christopher Elbow, probably the city’s most celebrated chocolatier in recent history. Christopher Elbow’s chocolates are famous for their delightful flavors (lime cardamom, vanilla pecan, rosemary caramel, spiced orange) as well as their bright, detailed designs, which look like miniature abstract paintings.

At about $2 a piece, they aren’t especially cheap, but they’re a good way to send a message to your special someone that you hold them in the highest regard. With any luck they will appreciate you enough to share a little in return.

Visit Christopher Elbow’s store at 1819 McGee St. in the Crossroads from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or shop online at elbowchocolates.com. You can also find them in Lawrence at Au Marche.

On stage

Now in its final week at the Missouri Repertory Theatre, “An Iliad” has been impressing theatergoers with its retelling of Homer’s epic through the lens of modern warfare. Kyle Hatley, KC Rep associate artistic director, plays the lead role in the play, which was written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare.

“An Iliad” runs through Feb. 15 at the Spencer Theater, 4949 Cherry St., and tickets are $20 and up at kcrep.org.

This weekend at the Bolender Center (next to Union Station), the Kansas City Ballet presents “New Moves,” which includes dance performances from several up-and-coming choreographers and dancers. Tickets for the Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows are for sale at kcballet.org.

— Lucas Wetzel is a writer and editor from Kansas City, Mo. Know of an upcoming event in Kansas City you’d like to see featured in Kansas City Connection? Email us about it at kcconnection@ljworld.com.