If you still haven't secured your Valentine's Day plans, whether they involve swanky reservations, barstool revelry or unfold days before, here are some ideas for food and drink lovers.
The suggestions, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 14, unless otherwise noted, range from classic sit-down dinners to inexpensive alternatives.
4 Rivers Smokehouse's in-house bakery plans to churn out an irresistible lineup of Valentine's-themed desserts for you, or the sweets fanatic in your life. From Monday, Feb. 2, to Saturday, Feb. 14, red velvet truffle brownies, strawberry cheesecake, chocolate marshmallow cupcakes and more will be showcased. The baked treats will run you around $2 to $20. 14330 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 844-474-8377, 4rsmokehouse.com.
Start splurging on your valentine early at Caretta on the Gulf’s Champagne Soirée from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12. Irish Decamps, Perrier-Jouët champagne ambassador, will showcase the brand's new Nuit Blanche Blanc and Rosé as you enjoy small bites along the restaurant's balcony. Tickets cost $75 per person, and may be purchased online or via phone. 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 727-674-4181, sandpearl.com.
Enjoy a bottle of Rouge's Double Chocolate Stout alongside a lineup of cheese, chocolate, strawberries and mixed nuts. Hosted at West Bay Public House, the Valentine's Day deal costs $30 for two people. Availability is limited, but drinkers should arrive between 5 and 10 p.m. 80 Clearwater-Largo Road S., Largo, 727-588-4444.
Celebrate V-Day all weekend at Timpano. Starting Friday, Feb. 13, the Italian chophouse will feature an exclusive tasting menu with fare like chateaubriand steak, Maine lobster and roasted Peppadew peppers. And a cozy weekend brunch, highlighting crab cake Benedicts, maple-bourbon glazed waffles, zeppole and mimosas, will also be served. For reservations, diners should visit the restaurant's website, or call. 1610 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-254-5870, timpanochophouse.net.
Support the Tampa Bay Bruise Crew roller derby team at the Independent Bar and Cafe from 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, by purchasing a variety of swoon-worthy sweets for your honey. The V-Day-themed bake sale will feature treats like homemade peanut butter-covered cake balls, Rice Krispies treats, cookie cake and cupcakes. Proceeds from the event will go toward sending the team to Texas' BOUT roller derby competition. 5016 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-341-4883, independentbartampa.com.
Boba tea lovers who purchase two drinks from Naga Tea will snag 15 percent off their orders. Don't miss the bubble tea joint's chocolate strawberry milk tea, which "tastes just like a chocolate-covered strawberry," according to co-owner Carl Yen. 10950 N. 56th St., Tampa, 813-989-2682, nagatea.com.
If guests want to score buy one, get one burgers from Square 1 Burgers & Bar on V-Day, they'll need to snap a photo in the restaurant while kissing their kids, other family members, significant others or a puppy, and post it on Square 1's Facebook wall or hashtag #Square1Burgers on Instagram. Kissing unconsenting diners won't get you the burger deal (which is being offered at locations throughout the west-central Florida region), and it's completely uncool. 3701 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-414-0101, square1burgers.com.
With old-school jams and movies playing, Sly Bar will hold an '80s Prom Night at 9 p.m. Organizers of the Valentine's throwback soirée encourage folks to dress the part, too. 2061 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-735-4035, slybar.com.
Kick off your V-Day with Green Locus Yoga owner Melissa Irvine during an afternoon flow class from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. A chocolate meditation practice will happen afterward. The session costs $30. 9564 West Linebaugh Ave., Tampa, 813-444-8394, greenlocusyoga.com.
Don't miss chef Greg Baker's $60 holiday steak-for-two deal at Fodder & Shine. The bone-in aged ribeye offer comes with four sides, and two-ounce scotch specials will also be featured, including Buchanan's 12 pours for $12. 5910 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-234-3710, fodderandshine.com.
For serial procrastinators, The Capital Grille in Tampa (and Sarasota) will hold its #ReservationRescue dinner giveaway at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, through its Facebook page. The offer gets you a 6 p.m. V-Day reservation and a free meal for two. To enter, comment on the #ReservationRescue post with one word that describes your significant other, as well as your nearest Capital Grill restaurant. A winner will be selected for each location, and those interested have until 11:59 p.m. Feb. 12 to enter. Winners, who'll have four hours to accept their reservation, will be contacted on Feb. 13 via Facebook message. 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-830-9433, thecapitalgrille.com.
Dig into a Roy's customizable Valentine's Day prix-fixe menu, curated by each location's chef. Although the four-course offerings will vary by restaurant, items like the signature Hawaiian-style misoyaki butterfish will be served. Reservations may be made online or by phone. Eaters will also receive a $20 gift card to use during another Roy's visit. 4342 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-873-7697, roysrestaurant.com.
From amuse-bouche to dessert, Castile executive chef Ted Dorsey has a four-course dinner, which costs $75 per person, planned for valentines. Diners should call the restaurant or visit OpenTable to make reservations. 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-456-8660, castilerestaurant.com.
Forget about chocolates and flowers, and all that other mushy stuff, at Shannon's Web's Happy F2454 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-800-5964, shannons-web.com.
Get ready for three courses of Pelagia Trattoria executive chef Brett Gardiner's eats. Available from 5:30 to 10 p.m. for $60 per person, lobster bisque, Chilean sea bass, tiramisu and more will be served. Eaters will score complimentary dipped-in-chocolate Plant City strawberries, too. The eatery's regular dinner menu won't be offered, and tables may be reserved by phone. 4200 Jim Walter Blvd., Tampa, 813-313-3235.
Whether you go VIP or not, these three b's will make for a fine Valentine's Day spread. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park's annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, from 2 to 6 p.m., will showcase unlimited samples of 'cue fixin's (sausage, ribs, brisket), as well as 40 bourbons and 60 beers. Live music, seminars and foodie vendors will also be highlighted. While everyone gets a souvenir tasting glass, $75 VIP tickets include early entry at noon and access to exclusive tastes like gourmet bacons. General admission costs $45. 600 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-274-8677, beerandbourbon.com.
This article appears in Jan 29 – Feb 4, 2015.