If you’re looking for a way to treat your spouse or significant other this Valentine’s Day, here’s a handful of suggestions for you — from where to pick out a local gift that’s sure to make him or her smile, to where you can partake in a festive night out in St. Augustine, filled with local flavors.
SHOP SMALL
Rather than springing for a mass produced, last minute kind of gift, Valentine’s Day makes for a prime opportunity to do some thoughtful shopping at local small businesses. Friday, February 12, there’s even some festive events happening on San Marco to get you in the spirit.
Bikinis & Bellinis Event at Magnolia Supply
5 p.m. Friday, February 12
Join the ladies of Magnolia Supply for an evening of bikinis and bellinis. (If you’re asking yourself what a bellini is, it’s a cocktail with sparkling wine and peach!) Treat yourself and your sweet to a Friday night filled with bellinis, treats, and swag. The event includes a trunk show for Whiskinis, a locally hand-made line of bikinis by designer Sarah Yamnitz. Guests enjoy 25 percent off all Magnolia Supply intimates, and can purchase $100 gift cards for $80. The first 25 guests at the event will receive a free piece of jewelry. Magnolia Supply, 58 San Marco Ave. Suite B, shopmagnoliasupply.com
Be Mine Event at Declaration & Co.
5 – 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 12
Across the street, Declaration & Co. is hosting a Valentine & Jewelry event. Stop in to pick out some signature Valentine cards (like the ones pictured above), or signature jewelry pieces, and grab some treats in the form of candy from the candy shop while you’re there. Declaration & Co., 63 San Marco Ave, declarationco.com
Manly Detour to Oak & Adze
If you’re specifically on the hunt for something more manly to treat your male counterpart and can’t quite seem to find it on San Marco or elsewhere, make a St. George Street detour and stop by Oak & Adze. Whether your sweet is a rugged outdoor adventurer or urban dweller, this mancrafts mecca has something with his name on it. Oak & Adze, 112 B. St. George Street., oakandadze.com
PLAY TOURIST
If you’d like to experience downtown St. Augustine over the holiday weekend and are okay with allowing yourself to feel a bit touristy, consider signing up for a tasting tour. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, The Tasting Tours has several festive wine and dine outings with spots still available.
Vittles & Vinos VIP Tour
1-4 p.m. Friday, February 12
Three hour tasting extravaganza via horse drawn carriage. Fun and informative guided tour includes: VIP boarding, sparkling prosecco toasts, fresh flowers, four to five food and/or wine tastings venues, wine to enjoy on the carriage ride. $139 per person. Advanced reservations required.
Rollin’ Valentine Tour: Wine and Dine Roadster Tour
11:30 am. Saturday – Sunday, February 13 & 14
Enjoy a three hour rollin’ food and wine tour via a rockin’ red roadster. Fun and informative guided tour includes four to five food and wine tasting venues. $99 per person. Advanced reservations required.
The Tasting Tours, 59 Cuna Street, thetastingtours.com
EAT LOCAL
While there are countless places you can dine on Valentine’s Day, and the entire weekend for that matter, here are two fixed price options brought to you by local chefs and restaurateurs that caught our attention. Either of the following options will provide you with a truly local “Treat Yoself” kind of Valentine’s Dinner date night.
Three Course Meal at The Floridian
1 – 9 p.m. Sunday, February 14
The Floridian is celebrating Valentine’s Day by serving up a three course meal with limited a la carte seasonally-inspired selections for firsts and mains, plus specially crafted desserts by baker and dessert artist, Channi Higgins. $40 per person. Call 904-829-0655 to reserve. The Floridian, 72 Spanish Street, thefloridianstaug.com
Exclusive Five Course Dinner with Wine Pairings by Uptown Scratch Kitchen and DOS Coffee & Wine
5:30 p.m. Sunday, February 14
The evening presents five courses of eats by Chef Vinny D’Amato of Uptown Scratch, sweets by Chef Nils Rowland, and pairings by Julie Jacobson. Seating at 5:30 p.m. exclusive to reservation (only twenty seats available). $114 per person, all inclusive. Call (904) 342-2421 to register or email doscoffeeandwine@gmail.com. DOS Coffee & Wine, 300 San Marco, dosbar.com
PSSSST: If you can’t make the dinner spectacular at DOS, you can always get some treats for your sweet ahead of time from Chef Nels Rowland at Creme De La Cocoa (at DOS).
