Valentine’s Day Weekend is right around the corner, and many local businesses are offering special dinner deals, meal kits, and fun activities to spoil your special someone. Whether you’re going out, staying in, or a combination of both, here are some ways to celebrate the holiday while showing some love to local businesses.
Newport's Love on the Levee, located at Bridgeview Box Park, will feature a build-your-own bouquet bar by Marti Heard Designs, take-home goodie bags for the first 50 children to visit the event and Valentine’s Day-themed refreshments. The event will culminate with live music 3-6 p.m. from local duo NXK. 2-6 p.m., Feb. 13. Bridgeview Box Park, 1 Levee Way, Newport.
Fern & Brown Bear Bakery Valentine's Day gift collaboration
Local plant shop Fern and Brown Bear Bakery are offering a special Valentine’s gift box this year. The $85 box includes a Fern signature candle, $25 gift card to Spruce Natural Nail Shop, three rosemary shortbread cookies from Brown Bear Bakery and a mini floral arrangement from Una Floral. The package is available for preorder now. Customers can pick up the package on Feb. 13 or 14 or they can have it delivered on Feb. 14. Fern Shop, 6040 Hamilton Ave, College Hill.
Arnold’s Valentine's Speakeasy, presented by Knob Creek Bourbon
Take your date on a time-traveling adventure this Valentine's Day weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 13, Arnold’s Bar & Grill is celebrating the holiday 1920s-style with a speakeasy event with Knob Creek Bourbon. The establishment will transform to reflect the flapper-era, complete with dim lights, zoot suits, flapper dresses, live jazz, and a four-course dinner. The menu includes exuberant options like creamy pesto artichoke gnocchi and chocolate-covered strawberry bread pudding, as well as classy cocktails like the Knob Creek Bourbon Manhattan, the Sipsmith French 75, and Pinnacle Prohibition Punch. For $45, each guest will be served a Knob Creek cocktail, appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert. Staff will feature circa 1920s attire, and it is encouraged, though not required, for patrons to follow suit. COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed, and reservations are required. 4-10 p.m., Feb. 13. Arnold’s Bar and Grill, 210 E. 8th St., Downtown.
Jeff Ruby’s Valentine’s meal kit
Jeff Ruby’s Culinary Entertainment is offering Valentine’s Day meal kits for your stay-at-home holiday weekend. The $200 kit includes two 8-oz. Jeff Ruby filet mignons, two 8-oz. cold-water lobster tails, four tiger shrimp with cocktail sauce, a Freddie salad, asparagus, mashed potatoes, Sixteen Bricks sourdough round, strawberry butter pie and a 3-oz. tin of steakhouse seasoning. The kit serves two and includes instructions to prepare. You can preorder the kit now, which will be available to pick up Feb. 12-14. The Precinct, 311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum; Carlo & Johnny, 9769 Montgomery Road, Montgomery.
Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck at The Roost
The Roost in Latonia, Kentucky will host Scarlet Begonia’s Flower Truck outside of the restaurant on Sunday, Feb. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You and your sweetheart can visit the flower truck and the Roost for a bouquet and a latte on Valentine’s Day. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 14. The Roost, 3616 Decoursey Ave., Latonia.
Dine or stay at Metropole and 21c Museum Hotel
Metropole and 21c are offering ways to enjoy Valentine’s Day whether you and your special someone are spending it at home or going out on the town.
Metropole, located inside 21c Museum MGallery Hotel, is serving three-course meals from a pre-fixed menu from Friday, Feb. 12 to Sunday, Feb. 14 from 5-10 p.m. Dinner costs $65 per person and includes entree options like duck, halibut, and housemade pasta, as well a selection of delicious starters and desserts. Reservations can be made online or by phone at 513-578-6660.
Patrons can also order carry-out dinner for two for $75. The to-go meal deal includes Metropole house rolls, season greens, a 16-oz. brown butter ribeye and earl gray panna cotta with the option to add on a dozen oysters for $24 and custom bubbly pairings; chocolate-covered strawberries are also available for $8.
And why stop at dinner? 21c Cincinnati offers the Snuggles & Bubbles package starting at $249/night, which includes an overnight stay, a bottle of champagne, a bubble bath from the Spa at 21c, and breakfast in bed from Metropole. Check-out can be as late as 1 p.m. 5-10 p.m., Feb. 12-14. 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati, 609 Walnut St., Downtown.
Funky Sunshine Valentine’s Day tie-dye party
Funky Sunshine in Cincinnati will host a tie-dye party on Valentine’s Day this year. They are booking in 20-minute intervals for up to four guests. Masks must be worn for the duration of the party. The event is at no cost, but an RSVP is required for this interactive Valentine’s Day experience. 2-5 p.m., Feb. 14. Funky Sunshine, 6448 Sherman Ave., Anderson Township.
MOXY's Valentine’s Day meal kit
Moxy Cincinnati is offering a Valentine’s Day meal kit to make at home with your boo. Each $110 kit includes a gourmet appetizer, salad, pasta, entree and dessert. Customers can opt to replace the chicken entree with grilled maitake mushrooms. In addition, you can purchase specially-selected wine pairings from Oakley Wines for $56. Orders close on Feb. 9, and you can pick up on Friday, Feb. 12 or Saturday, Feb. 13 from Moxy or Oakley Wines. Moxy Cincinnati, 517 W. 7th St., Newport; Oakley Wines; 4011 Allston St., Oakley.
Valentine’s Sunset Hikes at Cincinnati Nature Center
This hike is just another way to get your heartbeat racing. For some early evening exercise, you and your partner can partake in the Valentine’s Sunset Hikes by Cincinnati Nature Center from 5-6 p.m. on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14. Attendees will venture through a peaceful Ohio forest and catch a sunset along the way. Organizers encourage wearing winter clothing, and masks are required while inside facilities and outdoor activity where six feet distancing is not possible. The event costs $10 for non-members and $5 for members. 5-6 p.m., Feb. 13-14. Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford.
Branch's carry-out dinner for two
Though Branch is currently closed for dine-in services, they are offering a Valentine’s Day four-course dinner for two for pickup. The meal includes bruschetta, a pickled shrimp cocktail and herb-roasted pork loin. The meal culminates in a love bird trio dessert—chocolate covered strawberries, grapes and coconut macaroons and a baklava bird’s nest. The $120 dinner also includes a bottle of wine. Pickup is available on Sunday, Feb. 14 only. 6:30 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., Feb. 14. Branch Restaurant & Night Drop Cocktail Bar, 1535 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills.
The Rhined & Eve Floral Co. gift collaboration
Over-the-Rhine's favorite cheese shop The Rhined has partnered with Cincinnati flower shop Eve Floral Co. to offer a local way to show some love. The gift is priced at $60 and includes a bouquet in vase from Eve Floral Co. and one-pound of ooey-gooey Cottonbell cheese from Boxcarr Handmade Cheese — plus some house-made bonbons. Orders must be placed by Feb. 8; pick-up or delivery Feb. 12-14. The Rhined, 1737 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
Summit Hotel’s Valentine’s Day dinner
The Summit Hotel is hosting a romantic, three-course dinner on Saturday, Feb. 13. The dinner is presented by Chef Matt Corina, and some of the dinner options include pan-seared scallops, caramelized carrot risotto or Maple Leaf Farms duck. Tickets cost $50 per person with an optional wine pairing for an additional $20 per person. 6-10 p.m., Feb. 13. Summit Hotel, 5345 Medpace Way, Madisonville.
Grandview Tavern’s Valentine's Day special
From Feb. 12-14, Grandview Tavern in Fort Mitchell will be offering a special Valentine’s Day menu. For $150, you and your partner can enjoy a choice of appetizer, a salad, choice of entree, dessert to share and two glasses of champagne. Feb. 12-14. Grandview Tavern, 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell.
Galentine’s Day at Carabello Coffee
Newport's Carabello Coffee is kicking off Valentine's Day weekend with a special Galentine’s Day celebration. Originated and popularized by the television show Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is an opportunity to spend time with the beloved women in your life. With the purchase of an $88 ticket for four, your table of ladies will enjoy hot chocolate, desserts and signature drinks from the Analog Coffee Bar. There will also be a photo spot for pictures and a complimentary gift. 7:30-8:30 p.m., Feb. 14. Carabello Coffee Company, 107 E. 9th Street, Newport.
