Despite wearing masks, we can’t deny that we still feel the love that’s in the air! Celebrate yourself and your loved ones by letting them know you are thinking of them in the most universal and classic languages of love: sweets and flowers! Here are some of our favorite places where no matter what you leave the store with, you’re guaranteed to make your loved ones Valentine’s Day.

Take a trip to Paris, the original city of love, with Cannelle LIC’s irresistible pastries. This authentic Parisian bakery has a myriad of treats to choose from, including their Espresso 31 ($4.50), Midnight Passion ($5.00) and Coco-Fraise ($5.00). From its name, you can guess that Espresso 31 was made for all you coffee lovers out there, offering a crunchy interior with a creamy, coffee mousse. Then you have Midnight Passion which is as sensual as it sounds: delectable, chocolate-covered mousse encased within a passion fruit! Finally, their Coco-Fraise ($4.25) is a simple yet elegant flavor combination: vanilla sponge cake, strawberry and coconut mousse in a strawberry syrup. The detail behind this treat is as pleasing to look at as it is to eat!

5-11 47th Ave.  |  718.937.8500 | @cannellelic  |  cannellelic.com

Next up, Agora Food Market NYC. This unique grocery store took the Greek-infused bakery and café, Biskoti, under its wing and together, “[They] work with local suppliers to source the freshest and most authentic ingredients, and use old-fashioned techniques to ensure the highest quality. [Their] goal is to make your taste buds happy.” Pictured here is only a taste (get it?) of their vast selection of personal mousse desserts ($6.75): Passion Fruit, Chocolate, Banana, Black Forest and Black & White, to name a few. But the fun doesn’t stop there; Agora is fully equipped with fruit tarts ($2.50 sm., $6.95 lg.), savory pies ($4.25-$12) and cupcakes galore ($3.50). Fortunately, the market still has outdoor seating available, so you can bring your partner, your friends or even just yourself to enjoy a hot, frothy latte along with your mousse.

37-20 30th Ave.  |  929.286.0180  |  @agorafoodmarketnyc  |  biskoti.com

Petals and Roots is in fact owned by two love birds: Alexandra and Peter Avdoulos. Their shop hides under the NW train tracks near the Broadway stop and is constantly filled with plant and flower enthusiasts. Petals and Roots has floral arrangements for any occasion no matter the size and they even dedicate Mondays to appointments with clients! “Surprise your loved ones with a unique design and fresh fragrant flowers for any special occasion. Send flowers right from our online catalog to make sure you send the right gift and/or the right bouquet to surprise someone special.” It doesn’t get any easier than that.

If you don’t have the time to stop by their shop, go ahead and place your order online at
www.petalsandrootsny.com.

31-27 31st St.  |  718.267.1700  |  @petalsandroots | www.petalsandrootsny.com

And of course, we have to show some love to Astoria’s other floral heaven, Fern Botanica. A female-owned business “with a mindfulness towards sustainability,” this local shop offers gifts from flower arrangements, to candles, to hand-dyed masks to air plants and more. Fern Botanica ensures that “if you can dream it, we can make it come to life. We love using our imagination for special projects.” This is a must-visit as the pictures don’t do their skills justice. Fern Botanica even offers classes where they teach you how to make bouquets, flower crowns and even wreaths.

30-36 41st St.  |  @fernbotanica  |  fernbotanica.com