Valentine’s Day is always on Feb. 14, but somehow it always seems to sneak up on even the best planners.
And when it’s in the middle of the week, it can be challenging to make the holiday of love feel effortless and fun.
Luckily, businesses in the Spring Branch Management District have made Valentine’s Day planning easy with special dinners, gifts and even some “Valenslime.”
Wine
Nice Wines
How about a bouquet that doesn’t wilt? Nice Wines, 1220 Lumpkin Rd., is offering a four-pack of rosés for your loved one (or yourself).
The winery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. but you can reserve your rosés online today ($110 for nonmembers, $84 for Nice members): https://www.nicewines.com/index.cfm?method=products.productDrilldown&productID=C52AE219-FD8E-276A-9FC3-2FF50812F59E
Also at Nice Wines, take your Valentine out for a Wine & Chocolate Class. Spots were still available for the Feb. 14 class: https://www.exploretock.com/nicewines/event/453893/wine-chocolate-class-at-nice-winery
Tacos
Tacos Doña Lena
Give your Valentine pockets of yumminess in the form of a heart-shaped gorditas from nationally celebrated Tacos Doña Lena, 8788 Hammerly, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14.
The handmade masa gorditas come stuffed with refried beans, cheese, choice of meat and topped with lettuce and queso fresco.
Well Done Cooking Classes
Share the culinary experience of cooking your favorite meal with those you love at Well Done Cooking Classes’ “Death by Chocolate” class.
A nice filet mignon pairs well with red wine. A chocolate dessert can be the finale. Join the waitlist for Feb. 14 or kick off Valentine’s Day early on Feb. 13: https://welldonecc.com/public-classes
Classes are held at 8207-B Long Point Rd.
Healthy Start Nutrition
Healthy Start Nutrition, 2755 Gessner, is giving chocolate-covered strawberries a healthy twist by using protein chocolate. With a gram of protein per strawberry, you might as well get a dozen.
Order ahead by calling 281-552-8126.
Cascabel
First protein chocolate and now vegan chocolate! Cascabel vegan Mexican restaurant, 1415 Murray Bay St., has chocolate-covered strawberries for sale, as well as a full Valentine’s Day meal featuring heart-shaped tostadas and flan, their famous vegan fajitas and much more. Cascabel will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Valentine’s Day for dine-in and take out!
Slime
Sloomoo Institute
Looking for something to do before or after your meal? Head to Sloomoo Institute at the Marq-E Entertainment Center, 7620 Katy Fwy. for some slimy fun with your date.
There are plenty of tickets available for Feb. 14, when you can spend time with your loved one playing with slime, make your own and enhance your creation with clay hearts you design and write a love note and seal it into the slime wall.
Tickets:
https://tickets.sloomooinstitute.com/houston/events/5075eba1-62ed-7a18-bc56-8f83d8039d0a
Warehouse 72
Don’t miss Warehouse 72’s specialty frozen Valentine’s Day cocktail, “The Heart Throb,” available through Feb. 18 at the restaurant and bar at the Marq-E Entertainment Center, 7620 Katy Fwy.
Warehouse 72 is also offering a special four-course dinner for $72 a person featuring Truffle Arancini, Lobster Bisque, Seafood Risotto, and Strawberry Cheesecake.
Those who like an early dinner can still get reservations for Feb. 14, but there are plenty of times available on Feb. 13 when the special menu is being offered as well.
You can also gift a future dinner to your love. Warehouse 72 will hist a Stags’ Leap Wine Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the Leap Year and belated Valentine’s with Broiled Clams, Ora King Salmon, Smoked Duck Breast, Sous-Vide Venison, and Sticky Toffee Pudding, each expertly paired with Stags’ Leap wines.
— by Dorothy Puch Lillig
