The sappiest holiday of them all, Valentine’s Day, will soon be here. Looking to pump some pizazz into your romantic evening? Here’s a handful of holiday-appropriate dates:
Treat your sweetheart to Black Walnut Winery’s wines, paired with locally made gourmet chocolates. At a steal-of-a-deal $15, you’ll get a roundup of five wines and five chocolates, and a Black Walnut wine glass. Wine and chocolate pairings will take place at the top of the hour at both the Phoenixville tasting room and the Sadsburyville headquarters from noon to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call 610-857-5566 to reserve your spot at the Sadsburyville site (3000 Lincoln Highway) and 484-924-8740 for reservations at the Phoenixville location (260 Bridge St.). Various other stops along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail also host wine-and-chocolate tastings for the holiday.
Attend a couples’ Valentine’s dinner and cooking course on Feb. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Diane’s Kitchen (503 Heather Rd., Exton) with host/chef Diane Mastroianni. For $65 per person, guests may spend the evening enjoying four delicious courses, with wine paired perfectly with the main course. Reserve early at 610-506-8655, as class size is limited. The menu for the Diane’s Valentine’s evening including arugula salad with toasted pine nuts, roasted red peppers, shaved Reggiano and balsamic vinaigrette; house-made cheese ravioli with pesto cream sauce; pan seared fillet of beef with grilled shrimp, asparagus, bacon horseradish potatoes and hollandaise sauce; and a chocolate truffle tart.
The historic Lincoln Room (28 W. Market St., West Chester, 610-696-2102) continues its love for fondue through Valentine’s weekend, with the regular offering of Fondue Friday made available as one seating only from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 11. But, on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m., just a day after Abe Lincoln’s birthday, spend a sophisticated afternoon enjoying a special tea for two and fondue dessert with your charming companion. Lincoln Room extends their dip-and-devour Fondue Night to Monday, too, from 7 to 9 p.m., and they note that the evening is BYOB.
When a dozen roses don’t seem like enough, consider attending the first Valentines Day celebration at the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Rd., Kennett Square). There’s an exotic spread of truffles, seafood, chocolate and champagne paired with a classy performance by the George Whittam Orchestra. The gourmet feast will place on Feb. 12 from 7 to 11 p.m., with a ticket cost of $275 per couple. Reservations are required, so call 610-388-1000 to secure your spot.
Anti-Valentine’s Day: Alternative activities for people who think love stinks
No need to spend the weekend drowning your sorrows. Chester County has plenty of activities for Valentine-less ladies and gents.
Toughen up and take the Polar Plunge on Feb. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Brandywine Picnic Park in West Chester. Organized by the Brandywine Valley Association (BVA) to raise awareness and support of their conservation work in the 330-square-mile Brandywine Creek Watershed, this event allows you to seriously show some love to your local landscape. Event info and registration is available at www.brandywinewatershed.org.
On Feb. 12 from noon to 7 p.m., head brewer Tim Stumpf of Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant of Phoenixville (130 E. Bridge St., 610-983-9333) will host a special British Invasion event featuring eight of Iron Hill’s best English-style beers. Guests will enjoy select Iron Hill ales and lagers alongside a flavorful menu of Brit-inspired dishes by executive chef Jeremy Heckman on a pay-as-you-go basis until the beer runs dry. Not an English ale fan? Head to The Drafting Room (635 N. Pottstown Pike, 610-363-0521) at noon on Feb. 12 for a Bell’s Brewery, Inc. celebration, tapping the finest pours from the unique Kalamazoo, Mich., brewing company, including Hopslam, Batch 10,000, Two-Hearted Ale and more.
Saturday evening, Feb. 12, marks Ka-Pow’s latest concert. The quirky and incredibly energetic local cover band will return to The Pale Horse (29 E. Gay St., West Chester) for a full-fledged dance party, with tunes performed by their five-person lineup. Look out for renditions of Katy Perry’s “California Gurls,” Muse’s “Hysteria” and Cee Lo Green’s “Forget You.”
Bistro on Bridge/Club 212 (212 Bridge St., Phoenixville) knows it isn’t easy running solo around Valentine’s Day, so they invite all singles to the Mingle Mixer on Feb. 12 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. No matter what you consider your relationship status, all are welcome to what is said to be “the weekend’s best party,” and you’re encouraged to take advantage of the event’s happy hour, lasting until 11 p.m.
For even more activities and events, visit WCDish.com.
