Article by Nanette Wiser
Celebrate Your Valentine All Month
Woo Who? Whether you are dating or married, love is the answer to all life’s little annoyances. Make or buy a card, set your budget and let your imagination run wild.
DINING @HOME: Check out FB for hundreds of virtual Valentine events and bring the meal to your patio or dining room, spruced up with homemade, ETSY or Dollar Tree decorations, a Sinatra or Gaga playlist, romantic movie night and bubbly/chocolate. (Clothing optional.) We recommend ordering dinner in advance from any of the Asian restaurants in this issue’s feature: Villa Gallace, Caruso’s, Sunset Bistro, RumFish Grill, Chill’s, Slyce, Middlegrounds, Gennaro’s, Shaner’s Land & Sea, Compass Grill and Bayway Country Store and Butcher Shop at the beaches. We also love take-out from Da Sesto Italiano and Pipo’s Authentic Cuisine. In downtown St. Pete, Cassis, Dr. BBQ, Beau & Mo, Rococo Steak, Mazzaro’s and Oak & Stone.
ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS: How do I love thee? Let me count the meals! Make reservations now! In DTSP, book Lolita’s for the Feb. 14th four-course plus Amuse Bouche paired wine dinner on Valentine’s Day at 5pm or 8pm for Chef Alex’s Italian inspired menu and wine pairings. From Feb. 12-18, 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House and Parkshore Grille will woo your way into their heart. For French, pick Café Largo, Marquise Café, Gulf Bistro.
GIFTS: Shop the community markets (Tuesday Gulfport, Wednesday Madeira Beach, Friday Treasure Island, Saturday DTSP, Sunday Corey Ave. as well as Gulfport’s Stella’s Sundries, ZAIYA Artizen Market, A Taste of Art, Beach House 5317. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and Diny’s Jewelers offers estate jewelry as well as Patek, Breitling and Cartier watches. Discover décor, cards, candles and unique or humorous gifts at Za’ Zoo’d, Pieces of a Dream, Barnes & Noble and the shops on Corey Avenue and John’s Pass shops.
Give them the gift of beauty with a gift certificate for Bodhi Massage Therapy & Wellness, Maddy’s Spa or London Hair Salon. Or go upscale with the Don CeSar or Opal Sands spa or DTSP Woodhouse Spa. Looking for a romantic adventure? Sky dive, fish, kayak, cycle or zipline with your honey this year.
For sweet treats, check out Kilwin’s, swah-rey, Urban Creamery, Sweet Stack Shack, Beans & Barlour, Wandering Whisk, The Candy Kitchen, Paradise Sweets, La Casa del Pane, House of Sweets and Dorothy’s Sweet Cakes.