By Friday will you be in love? No matter. You know you’re in love with your children because of everything you put up with. You know they love you too because otherwise they wouldn’t put you through what they do.
Now that that’s been determined let’s see what you can do this week and weekend to celebrate the love that got you where you are now.
Boston Magazine has a great slide show of options for those of you looking to get out on the town. From hotel packages, to special dinners at Clink.
If you’re doing a party at home and need some resources you can always get some fun decorations and serving dishes at Target. I also really like plumparty.com for themed party wards. Tags in Porter Square also has some great stuff as does China Fair just beyond Porter Square.
Several years ago we had a fun party with cocktails and finger food. It was our Music and Massage party. We had instruments out for the children to jam to a cd compilation of kids and grown up music. We had two massage school students upstairs and the adults took turns getting 30 minute massages. It was inexpensive and much fun was had. If you want to celebrate out on the town, at the zoo, or just want to get out of the house to celebrate here are some options.
From Monday through Friday
Salem So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival
This festival features specials at many local Salem businesses. The ice sculptures may not be faring well with this weather, but I can guarantee that the chocolate isn’t melting. While you’re there you can check out Harbor Sweets, recently featured on the Phantom Gourmet.
New Bedford Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating
I’ll admit I don’t even know where New Bedford is and I certainly have never heard of cookie decorating at the Zoo. However, if you happen to be heading out to the Buttonwood Park Zoo this week, stop at the Bear’s Den Café for some cookie decorating. Everyone loves to decorate cookies and most love to eat them too. (If your child has food allergies, be sure to bring a special treat that they can eat after decorating.)
I’m in Love with Chocolate Cocktails (Wednesday)
Well I’m not yet, but I sure could be. This is the theme for the party at Upstairs on the Square this Wednesday. Call up a couple of friends and make your reservations for an evening of Chocolate themed cocktails and small plates. The party begins at 6:30 and is $49. A bargain if you leave your true love at home with the kids (no sitter to pay) and head out with your friends.
Cupid’s Wine Dinner (Thursday & Friday)
No more whining by Thursday because you can find yourself in the Soirée Room at Upstairs on the Square for Cupid’s Wine Dinner. Reservations begin at 6:30 and seatings continue throughout the evening. Thursday there’s no pressure (it’s not the day) you can relax and enjoy a meal of amorous food matched with sensuous wines. Four delectable courses paired with four wines. Who do you trust more Cupid or the Sommelier? On Friday, if Cupid doesn’t perform, head downstairs for the St. Single’s Day party. This is for singles only.
Step Outside the Box with Chef Maws (All week)
You are invited to celebrate Valentine’s day any day this week at Craigie on Main. A four-course prix fixe valentine market menu is available for $80. This meal will be created from the best of what is available in the market that day and includes dessert wine and, for the love of chocolate, a Valrhona hot chocolate.
It’s Friday I’m in Love
Friday Tea for Two, Four, Six, Eight (Friday and Saturday)
Upstairs on the Square is at it again. This is a divine and magical place to have tea with your children. It’s like sitting in the pages of a well-illustrated Alice In Wonderland Book (no Disney need apply). This is from 3:00 – 5:00 on both Friday and Saturday. There will be hot chocolate and housemade marshmallows. The three-tiered Valentine Tea is $28 and a special children’s tea is $15.
Once, Twice, Three Times a Celebration (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
T.W. Food is celebrating three days of “St. Valentine”. There will be two seatings each night and two different menus. The first menu is four courses for $59. The second menu is seven courses for $79. Dishes will include some special locally raised pork, fabulous, seasonal winter citrus, and plenty of local vegetables (yes there are still local vegetables).
If You’re in Love Say OM (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
OM will have an aphrodisiac menu each night with open seatings. The 5:00 – 6:30 seating is $75. The 6:30 – 8:30 seating is $95. After 9:30 is $75. There will also be specials at the bar including the two person French Kiss cocktail, Om’s twist on a French martini.
Saturday Night Love
Ice Cream Social
This is a fund raiser for the Medford Family Network. From 2:30 to 4:30 you can bring the family down to the Medford High School Cafeteria for ice cream and entertainment. It is $5 per person with a maximum of $15 per family.
Valentine’s Day Lunch & Dinner
Upstairs on the Square will be offering a $38 prix-fixe lunch at the Monday Club. There will also be an $85 prix fixe Valentine’s day dinner ($135 with champagne or wine pairings) in the Monday Club. In the Soirée dining room there will be a $125 prix fixe Valentine’s day dinner ($185 with pairings)
Sustainable Food Sustainable Love
Craigie on Main has a five course prix fixe at $150 will a wine flight of $50 or wines ordered separately from their wine list. Vegetarian versions are always available. I love the new energy at Craigie on Main. If you haven’t been lately or at all, I recommend getting there at some point soon. I can’t wait until they are open for lunch and I hope to make it over there for brunch in the some time after February Vacation. One needs a little incentive to make it to spring!
Sandrine’s St. Valentin
You can celebrate at Sandrine’s with their special Valentine’s day menu or the Valentine’s day prix fixe dinner. The prix fixe is a three course meal for $58.
Sunday is for Lovers
Sunday Afternoon Tea
The Mass Audubon Society in Canton is having a tea hosted by the Visual Arts Center. You can relax in the estate house by the fire and enjoy elegant pastries, tasty sandwiches and sip some fine teas.
Bisou, bisou, bisou & Bon appetit. ttyl your BFF (Boston Family Foodie)
For more info: Upstairs on the Square (Call 617-864-1933 for reservations), T.W. Food (Call 617-864-4745 for reservations),Craigie on Main (Call 617-497-5511 for reservations), OM (Call 617-576-2800 for reservations),Sandrine’s (Call 617-497-5300 for reservations)
