Few people are all that excited about Valentine’s Day, which is why we’ve gathered up a few reasons to look forward to all the red hearts and out-of-season chocolate-covered strawberries regardless of your usual feelings. Whether you’re looking for a fancy dinner, want to take a cocktail-making class or need a great gift idea, here are our picks for February 14.
Where to go to dinner
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Tea Dealers and Patisserie Tomoko Collaboration
Enjoy a selection of sweets, savories, tea and a light cocktail at Patisserie Tomoko, with Tea Dealers—featured in our new issue—behind the sure-to-be exquisite tea picks. Call 718-388-7121 to make a reservation for the 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. seatings on February 14.
Faro
Enjoy a five-course prix fixe menu at Faro in Bushwick for $90 per person, with an optional $45 per person wine pairing. The menu includes beets with fennel, winter citrus and pine nuts, cauliflower soup, handmade pasta, roasted cod and chocolate trifle. Feel free to salivate over the full menu.
Babu Ji
The Australian transplant on the Lower East Side is churning out a menu that will highlight chef Jessi Singh’s top picks, like Unauthentic Butter Chicken with tomato, ginger, garlic and fenugreek curry, Colonel Tso’s Cauliflower, Spicy Beef Korma in a cashew curry and more. Make a reservation on their website.
Where to take a class
Dia de los Enamorados at Dos Caminos Park Ave
Learn from executive chef Ivy Stark on the Saturday before the big day to get yourself ready. The class menu includes: Chocolate Love Potions, Rosa Rojas, Fig and Blue Cheese Empanadas, Duck Carnitas for Two, Dark Chocolate Ancho Chile Flan and Stem Berries Dipped in Spicy Honey. You get lunch, cocktails, recipes and a copy of the chef’s cookbook. Call the restaurant to sign up: 212-294-1000.
A Couple’s Cocktail Class at Analogue
In a private room, learn three cocktails specifically chosen to work for couples, each using a different spirit: rum, vodka and bourbon. From the Hemingway Daiquiri to the Paper Plane, you’ll be shaking up drinks for your signifiant other and friends in no time. Light bites will also be served.
The perfect gifts
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FarmSteady Kits
FarmSteady makes easy-to-use urban homesteading kits that are only $25 but provide tons of fun and learning. Go for a fresh cheese-making kit (win one in this week’s giveaway) or one that gives you everything you need to make your own bagels.
Brooklyn Brew Shop Kits
Make sparkling wine at home with Brooklyn Brew Shop’s $70 kit (win one in this week’s giveaway), which includes specially sourced chardonnay grape juice from a California vineyard. If you’re more into beer, go for their $40 kits: Make a chocolate maple porter or a fruity grapefruit honey ale.
Kreuther Handcrafted Chocolate
Want to go classic? Try Kreuther’s chocolates, which range from the stunning $14 LOVE bars to a $114 36-piece chocolate set. In the middle, there’s a $38 box of white chocolate strawberry balsamic truffles that no one would pass up.
