If you’re a last-minute kinda guy or gal—don’t fret, there’s still time to impress bae this Valentine’s Day. Peep our roundup of romantic specials and activities from some of our fave spots around town—and, best part, it’ll look like you put a lot of time and thought into it. You’re welcome.
Send you and la petite amito Paris (metaphorically) with these Euro-inspired to-go cocktails from Coquette Brasserie, paired with one of the resto’s famous quiches. Choose from four cocktail ops (sold in the cutest little bottles)–just in time for cheersing your Valentine on Valentine’s. P.S. Bring the glass containers back to get $2 off your next to-go cocktail purchase!
This virtual craft beer fest celebrating the craft beer communities of both North Carolina and New York runs all weekend long. A $15 online registration gets you unlimited access to festival content and performances. Or, upgrade to VIP status to score the ultimate Valentine’s Day weekend package, including a 12-pack of NC craft beer, a box of locally made chocolates and a customized festival beer glass.
Let us upgrade ya. Elevate date night by bringing the Alamo Drafthouse experience home for the perfect Valentine’s—think dinner and a movie, plus a bottle of wine, two commemorative Champagne glasses and a movie poster puzzle to boot. And if you’d rather go out—consider renting a private theater for you Valentine, galentines and your palentines!
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Let the good times roll, indeed, with Stanbury’s Mardi Gras-themed Cajun-inspired takeout (Sunday through Tuesday, Feb. 14–16). Preorder your pick for the perfect upscale-comfort food combination feast that we promise your boo will be eager to thank you for.
“It may be normal, darling; but I’d rather be natural.” Take in a matinee of the classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s ($5 per ticket)at Raleigh’s famed Rialto over some Champs (or beer, wine, cider—whatever speaks to you)—and, afterward, extend the date at one of Five Points’ cherished restaurants for dinner.
For a more casual (but supremely delish) night in, order takeout or delivery from Oakwood Pizza Box, arguably the best (and biggest) pizza in town. Pizzas up to 18 inches pizzas will easily satisfy your appetite. And don’t forget to add the bottle of wine or brews.
WEB EXCLUSIVE It’s the season of love—and that applies to both showing love for local businesses and your significant other, which we’ve made easy with this local gift guide for Valentine’s Day. Support these local businesses while surprising your girl, guy or pals with the perfect gift, curated just for them!
Vita Vite Date Night Wine Basket
vitaviteraleigh.com
This cute gift basket from Vita Vite makes for the ultimate couples (or girls!) night in. With a cocktail recipe book, a bottle of fine wine, a cheese board and cutlery set, a wine tumbler and a wine-themed candle, you’re set for the perfect evening of romance. This may sound cheesy, but it makes for a grate night in. A gouda pair, one might say. 😉
Vita Vite also has a great gift shop with everything from comical mugs and witty wine tumblers to sparkling cocktail recipe books and more. You just can’t go wrong.
Dinner from The Butcher’s Market
thebutchersmarkets.com
Get ready for a hot night in the kitchen with beef bourguignon, a classic French dish and the perfect romantic dinner for two, using The Butcher’s Market‘s burgundy wine steak tips and mushrooms. The market’s easy slow-cooker recipe makes sure you’re freed up to spend the rest of your night–ahem–not in the kitchen.
Peppertrain Jewelry
peppertrainjewelry.com
These fun earrings, handcrafted by local jeweler Kaitlin Ryan at Peppertrain Jewelry, are the perfect addition to any outfit. Buy them for your galentines! Buy them for your girlfriend! Buy them for yourself! (Everyone needs a pair.) Check out Peppertrain’s website for more unique handmade jewelry.
Tea from Tin Roof Teas
tinroofteas.com
Get your hottie some hot tea, because what cold, stressful winter day isn’t perfect for winding down with a warm sip? Get it while it’s hot at Tin Roof Teas in Cameron Village—there are tons of unique teas from which to choose, making it easy for you and your boo to cuddle up on the couch together with each of your preferred brews for a relaxing evening.
Coley Home Robe
coleyhome.com
Speaking of unwinding, give the gift of relaxation to your SO this Valentine’s Day with this lightweight Palm Robe from Coley Home in Charlotte. It comes in three different colors and makes for the perfect loungewear.
Bracelets from Zass
www.zassdesign.com
These edgy jewelry cuffs are handmade from recycled materials by a mother-daughter duo right here in Raleigh. Support Zass by snagging a pair or two for you and your gal-friends (they’ll look so cute during Galentine’s brunch). And be sure to check out Zass’ Valentine’s Day collection (for a limited time) here.
Heart-Shaped Wreath from Logan’s Garden Shop
logantrd.com
Flowers are nice and all, but they come and go so fast, and, let’s be honest, they’re a little basic this time of year. This heart-shaped magnolia wreath from Logan’s Garden Shop presents a unique and gorgeous alternative that will last way longer.
Blue Water Spa Gift Card
There’s not a single person (that we can think of) who wouldn’t enjoy a spa day. Enter Blue Water Spa! Gift cards can be redeemed on all medical spa services, including Botox, dermal fillers, laser treatments, CoolSculpting and spa services. Go as a couple—or treat yo’self—and have yourselves a dayyyy.
Valentine’s Day has been a treasured holiday for centuries, the annual opportunity for lovers to express their feelings via romantic dinners, floral bouquets, decadent sweet treats and even marriage proposals. But much more recently—in 2010, to be exact—another holiday centered around love emerged. On Galentine’s Day, the point isn’t to receive a shot from Cupid’s bow; rather, it’s to celebrate friendship, specifically among women. The fictional Galentine’s Day holiday originated on an episode of the hit sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” where leading lady Leslie Knope explains that, every February 13, “My lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it, breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”
Ever since, Galentine’s Day has been celebrated as a popular pastime across the country; Raleigh is no exception, with its own Galentine’s Day traditions from which local ladies can choose.
Your first option is to get a head start on this fun fête by brunching at The Irregardless Café on Saturday, February 8 at The Geek Girl Brunch Presents: Galentine’s Day. Eat some delicious food, enjoy some drinks and possibly go home with some great swag! If you already have weekend plans, celebrate on Thursday, the actual Galentine’s Day, at Vidrio on Glenwood South. Toast the women in your life with drinks and small bites at the bar. The restaurant will serve Veuve Cliquot and assorted mini-desserts and you can enjoy fresh Mediterranean flavors and original menu options. Looking for something more interactive? Visit Dove & Olive Mercantile on Bickett Boulevard where you and your gals can attend a jewelry workshop and receive an Infinity Collection bracelet that’s sized to fit your wrist and safely welded on. Enjoy charcuterie platters from Raleigh Cheesy and take home a beautiful bouquet from The Gray Cottage.
Ladies, these are just a few of the local places where you and your girlfriends can honor Galentine’s Day in style. You may not have time to pull a Leslie Knope and make personalized mosaic tile portraits of each of your friends but you can make a few phone calls and rally the crew. Exchange handmade gifts or share priceless memories over drinks and snacks; Galentine’s Day is a celebration you’ll want to make an annual tradition.
We spent Valentine’s Day at the Raleigh courthouse eagerly awaiting couples to walk through the door. Even though it was an uneventful Tuesday, many couples were eager and elated to say, “I do.”
Augusto and Alicia Pasco couldn’t think of a better day to get married. “Now we’ll get two presents,” says Augusto. “It’s truly a special day and a special occasion.”
Valentine’s Day is Ethnan and Samantha Drohin’s favorite holiday, and so it was an obvious choice for their wedding day.
Shane and Leticia Sheffey met through online gaming. They thought getting married on Valentine’s was “very romantic” and Shane says: “I’ll never be able to forget our anniversary.”
Artis and Sabrina Montague have been together for 12 years! “We met in downtown Raleigh so it was only appropriate to get married here,” says Artis.
Imagine, if you can, a world without chocolate. A dark future with no s’mores, no foil-wrapped kisses, no molten lava cakes. According to some recent headlines, the globe is facing a serious cocoa shortage.
But don’t start hoarding chocolate bars just yet. According to a few Raleigh chocolate experts, we found out the threat is real—but greatly exaggerated.
And the shortage is really only linked to cheaper chocolate.
Here’s why:
Disease, poor farming practices, climate change and supply chain problems all affect the price of your chocolate bar.
The chocolate shortage relates mostly to beans grown in Africa, where the majority of the world’s cacao is grown on plantations. Farmers there are under increasing pressure to sell their crops for less money, and some cocoa is even grown by forced labor, says Videri Chocolate Factory co-CEO Sam Ratto.
Ratto says this chocolate “shortage” is being exploited by Big Chocolate to raise prices as they enter new markets.
Escazu Artisan Chocolates head chocolate maker Hallot Parson isn’t panicking.
“We don’t buy any African cacao at all,” Parson says. “Not to say there isn’t some decent stuff, but for the most part it’s bulk-grade beans.”
Both Escazu and Videri use cacao grown in its indigenous Latin America, bought from farmers they know. They pay a premium for quality cacao to make their high-end chocolate.
Bottom line: Your cheaper chocolate could cost more due to a smaller supply. Just spend your money on the good stuff for better value all around.
By the Numbers
58M: Pounds of chocolate Americans will buy in the days leading up to Valentine’s Day
$345M: What Americans spend on chocolate for Valentine’s Day.
Your chocolate box
Forrest Gump was wrong. You can know what you’re going to get:
Round: Soft centers like truffles, creams and whips
