Booze & Food
An Evening in Paris — Chef Nathan has crafted a special Valentine’s-themed menu featuring selections including petit plateau de mer, charcuterie et fromage, bistro steak et frites and more. A la carte menu also available. 5-9 p.m. $50 per person prix fixe. La Petite Pierre, 7800 Camargo Road, Madeira, lapetitepierre.com.
BB Riverboats Valentine’s Day Cruise — There’s nothing quite as romantic as coasting the Ohio River on a historic riverboat. A buffet dinner, live music and Valentine’s Day packages are available. 6 p.m. Feb. 11 and 14. $60 adults; $40 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., bbriverboats.com.
Everything is Chocolate — CityBeat dining writer Ilene Ross leads this cooking class in which guests will learn to make the perfect chocolate tart, chocolate bread pudding, chocolate semifreddo and Turkish coffee brownies. 6:30-9 p.m. Feb. 9. $45. Cooks’Wares, 11344 Montgomery Road, Harper’s Point, cookswaresonline.com.
Four-Course Dinner at The Phoenix — Can you say braised beef shoulder and chocolate pots de crème? A four-course menu and wine pairings from The Wine Merchant await you at The Phoenix. 7 p.m. Feb. 11. $79. The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown, thephx.com.
Local Love: Valentine’s Date Brunch — Chef Kate Jesurun leads a cooking class on how to poach the perfect egg, make hollandaise sauce and whip up a decadent mousse. Afterward, enjoy the brunch you created. RSVP required. 9:30 a.m.-noon Feb. 11. $75-$85. Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Road, Evendale, gormanfarm.org.
Metropole is for Lovers — Local food and old-world delights are in store at Metropole’s Valentine’s dinner. The regular farm-to-fireplace menu will be available, as will a special four-course prix fixe menu. 5:30-11 p.m. Feb. 11 and 14. $60 per person prix fixe. Metropole, 609 Walnut St., Downtown, metropoleonwalnut.com.
Murder Mystery Dinner: Deadly Game of Love — The Whodunit? Players present an evening of mystery and a meal themed around America’s newest game show, “You Said What?” — where the action behind the scenes is deadly. RSVP required. 5:30-9 p.m. Feb. 10. $35. Voice of America Park, 7850 Voice of America Park Drive, West Chester, facebook.com/thewhodunitplayers.
Perfect Pairings Wine Tasting — Go in disguise as sommeliers for the Taft Museum’s Perfect Pairings Wine Tasting. Swirl and sniff international wines alongside exotic hors d’oeuvres, or take a romantic tour of the historic home. RSVP required. 5-8 p.m. Feb. 11. $35 Taft members; $45 non-members. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org.
Queen City Radio Presents Cupid is Stupid — Skip the PDA and enjoy some IPAs instead. A portion of proceeds from the evening’s special drink sales will benefit Planned Parenthood, which will be on hand to collect donations, sign up volunteers and provide information. 8 p.m. Feb. 11. Free admission. Queen City Radio, 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/queencityradiobar.
Truffle-Making at Findlay Kitchen — Learning how to make truffles? That’s the gift that keeps on giving. Join chocolatier Sherri Prentiss at Findlay Kitchen to roll truffles and learn how to make a chocolate ganache that could easily be replicated at home. Enjoy a glass of bubbly while you work. 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 11. $55. Findlay Kitchen, 1719 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, findlaykitchen.org.
Valentine’s Day Macarons — Learn the art and science behind macaron baking. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Feb. 11. $95. Macaron Bar, 1206 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, macaron-bar.com.
Valentine’s Day at the Memo — Get boujee with your date at Valentine’s Day at the Memo. Strolling musicians and Memorial Hall’s exquisitely renovated event spaces accent a three-course progressive meal and paired wines. Seatings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Feb. 14. $60. Memorial Hall, 1225 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, memorialhallotr.com.
Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Dinner at Nectar — Fill up on a four-course meal with appetizers and dishes like beet crudo ravioli, artichoke soup with crispy sunchokes and orange coriander roast leg of lamb. Vegetarian menu available per request at reservation. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 14. $65. Nectar, 1000 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, dineatnectar.com.
Valentine’s Day Tasting at the Listing Loon — What do you get when you pair a wine tasting with a chocolate tasting? Heaven. Join The Listing Loon for a Valentine’s Day tasting that includes four wines and chocolates. 5-8 p.m. Feb. 14. $15. The Listing Loon, 4124 Hamilton Ave., Northside, bit.ly/2kc0a9y.
Valentine’s Dinner at the Zoo — Self-described as the “sexiest zoo in America,” the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens is hosting a Valentine’s dinner dubbed The Wild Side of Love. The Wild Side of Love will question the extent one goes to to get a mate, even if you’re still working on it. The courtship extremes of the natural world will be compared to our own. 6-9 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12. $150 per couple. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
Valentine’s Dinner at Mecklenburg Gardens — The evening includes a charcuterie plate with gourmet cheese and smoked salmon, plus your choice of four entrées and two desserts. 6-10 p.m. Feb. 14. $38. Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, mecklenburgs.com.
Valentine’s Dinner at Vinoklet Winery — Split a bottle of wine, get free reign of a salad and dessert buffet and select an entrée at Vinoklet. 5-8 p.m. Feb. 14. $38-$40. Vinoklet Winery, 11069 Colerain Ave., Colerain, vinokletwines.com.
Parties/Events
The Art of Love: Be Our Valentine — Sip champagne and nibble some chocolate while you watch artists in action. Find a unique gift for your Valentine in the process. 5-8 p.m. Feb. 9. Free admission. Gallery 708, 708 Walnut St., Downtown, facebook.com/708gallery.
Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from the Petit Palais — This Taft Museum exhibit features 75 pieces of Parisian jewelry from the 17th through mid-20th centuries and “explores the intersection of French art, fashion and history.” Through May 14. $12 adults; $10 children and seniors; free for members. Taft Museum of Art, 316 Pike St., Downtown, taftmuseum.org.
Cupid Missed Me — Mix and mingle with Cincinnati singles ages 40-60, hosted by cingles.net. 5-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. $10. Montgomery Inn Boathouse, 925 Riverside Drive, Downtown, cingles.net.
Dine, Dance and Romance — WGRR’s Chris and Janeen from “Married with Microphones” host this plated dinner and dance party. 7 p.m.-midnight Feb. 10. $60-$100. The Grand Ballroom, 6 E. Fifth St., Covington, Ky., mchalescatering.com.
In the Mood for Love at the Mini — While it’s hard to pin down exactly what defines a true Valentine’s Day movie besides the very on-the-nose title of Valentine’s Day (2010), this holiday, go see something outside of your comfort zone. Wong Kar-wai’s film racked up awards in Hong Kong, placed second on the BBC’s list of the 100 greatest films in the 21st century and placed 24th in Sight and Sound’s 2012 critics poll. 7 p.m. Feb. 14. Free. The Mini Microcinema, 1329 Main St., Over-The-Rhine, mini-cinema.org.
Krohn by Candlelight — Step into the South to experience the French Quarter culture of New Orleans and the ecological life of a swampy, moist bayou. Krohn Conservatory’s 2017 Spring Show, Blooms on the Bayou (through March 12), is hosting an adults-only Krohn by Candlelight event, during which you can make a craft for that special someone and learn how to make chocolate. RSVP required. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Feb. 10. $15. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Drive, Eden Park, cincinnatiparks.com.
Love Moer on Carol Ann’s Carousel — Moerlein Lager House and Cincinnati Parks have teamed up to offer a romantic weekend featuring free rides on Carol Ann’s Carousel. Bring your Valentine to the Lager House for dinner and drinks and receive a free ride on the carousel. Feb. 10-14. Extended carousel hours 7-10 p.m. Feb. 10-11; 4-7 p.m. Feb. 12; 5-9 p.m. Feb. 14. Moerlein Lager House, 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown, moerleinlagerhouse.com.
Love Sux 2017 Party — If you think your head might explode at even one more mention of Valentine’s Day, Howl at the Moon | Splitsville has a solution: a giant dance party with drinks, games and music that laughs in the face of love. Bring in a torn-up photo of your ex for a free bowl card. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Feb. 10. Prices vary. Howl at the Moon | Splitsville, 145 E. Second St., Downtown, howlsplitsville.com/cincinnati-oh.
Northside Tavern Square Dance — Callers for this Valentine’s Day edition are Darlene Underwood and Beth Mast, with music provided by the Northside Volunteers. Northside Square Dance is also hosting a “Sweetheart of the Rummage Sale”: 8-10:30 p.m. Feb. 14. Free admission. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside, northsidetav.com.
Pop-Up Market: Coppin’s Saves Valentine’s Day! — The hotel hosts a pop-up market in its new Eva G. Farris Ballroom featuring goods from local artisans like Adorn Jewelry, Elk Creek Winery and Donna Salyers Fabulous Furs. 6-10 p.m. Feb. 10; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 11 and 12. Free admission. Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., facebook.com/thehotelcovington.
Pre-Valentine’s Day Second Saturday — Sweet deals and treats await at this pre-holiday Second Saturday. Pick up unique gifts for that special someone and pick up a Hop Pass to receive complimentary treats from participating businesses and restaurants. 10 a.m. Feb. 11. Free admission. Downtown Milford, downtownmilford.com.
Romance in the Heavens — Head to the Haile Digital Planetarium at Northern Kentucky University for a show, music and a box of chocolate. Actors will tell romantic constellation lore in the planetarium, accompanied by live music. This event is for adults. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14. $20 per couple. Haile Planetarium, NKU Science Center 409, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, Ky., artscience.nku.edu.
Family–Friendly
My Furry Valentine — Fall in love with a four-legged friend at My Furry Valentine, the Tristate area’s largest animal adoption event with a whopping 800 animals available under one roof. Noon-6 p.m. Feb. 11; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 12. $5; $25 early bird. Sharonville Convention Center, 11355 Chester Road, Sharonville, myfurryvalentine.com.
Thursday Art Play: Valentine’s Bash at the CAC — The Contemporary Arts Center is throwing a fancy Valentine’s Day party, and your child is invited! Children ages 4-5 years will make a necklace, paint a canvas bag for someone they love and decorate yummy cookies. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Feb. 9. $5; free members. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, contemporaryartscenter.org.
Music
CCM Orchestra: Valentine’s Day Concert — Mendelsohn’s “Nocturne” from a Midsummer Night’s Dream, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “The Young Prince and the Young Princess” from Scheherazade and excerpts from Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier are but a taste of featured pieces performed by the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music Philharmonia. 8 p.m. Feb. 14. $15; $10 non-UC students; free UC students. Corbett Auditorium, 290 CCM Blvd., Clifton Heights, ccm.uc.edu.
Love Songs: Ballads and Blues with Camille Saba Smith — A Cleveland native, Smith is the founder of the musical ensemble Saba Jazz and has hosted a weekly radio Jazz broadcast for several years on WAIF, 88.3 FM. Smith sang with MUSE, a Cincinnati Women’s Choir for many years and is a member of The Martin Luther King Chorale and The Cincinnati Black Theater Company. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11. $15. New Riff Distillery, Tower Room, 24 Distillery Way, Newport, Ky., newriffdistillery.com.
Valentine’s Day is 4Suckerz with Fellatia Geisha — Looking for the antithesis of Valentine’s Day? Look no further than “Valentine’s Day is 4Suckerz” at The Mockbee. Hosted by Moratorium_Flux, a new media collective experimental Electronica record label, the show features Fellatia Geisha of New York City, Off the Meat Rack (Cincinnati/Detroit), DRAPA ft. special guest (Cincinnati) and Cut Yr Dick Off/Vampire Weekend At Bernie’s (Cincinnati). 9 p.m. Feb. 14. Free. The Mockbee, 2260 Central Parkway, Brighton, facebook.com/themockbee.
