Valentine's Day 2021 is soon approaching, and it seems safe to say the holiday won't be characterized by the usual frenzy for intimate candlelit dinners inside fancy restaurants. Still, lots of local businesses and restaurants have come up with alternative ways to make the day special, from piñata-like breakable hearts full of chocolates at Sisters Gourmet Deli
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to cookie boxes from Sweetheart St. John's
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. We've gathered this list of options so you can start mulling over your plans well in advance, and we'll update it as we hear of more offerings. For more ideas, check out our food and drink guide.
Blind Ox Taphouse
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This taphouse serving craft beer and boozy nitrogen ice cream will have a special menu
Past Event
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with cocktails, ice cream, and beer, available for outdoor dining or for takeout.
Northeast
Pickup or outdoor seating
Cafe Rowan
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This seasonally focused spot is offering a Valentine's Day dinner with amuse-bouches and appetizers (hamachi crudo and birdseye chili and tomato consommé with blood orange, sweet potato puree, pickled fennel, and puffed corn), house-made fettuccine with sea urchin cream sauce and shaved Oregon white truffles, and dark chocolate cheesecake, available for pickup on February 13.
Southeast
Pickup
DB Dessert Company
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This local sweets shop has concocted drip-glazed chocolate strawberry "baby cakes" and conversation heart cupcakes. Looking for a project? Opt for their DIY cookie kit with sugar cookies, icing bags, and sprinkle mixes, or a Valentine's Day-themed macaron making class.
Northeast
Pickup
The Oregon winery and olive oil maker has a new Valentine's Day provisions box with handmade heart-shaped cheese ravioli from Pasta Maia, chocolate Pinot Noir pots de crème from Sweetheart St. John's, a bottle of their own 2017 Dove Pinot Noir, and a bottle of their Tuscan extra virgin olive oil. Pre-orders are due by 4 pm on February 7.
Dayton
Pickup or free delivery
Hip Chicks Do Wine Like List
The urban winery is joining forces with the artisan chocolatier A Yen for Chocolates to offer wine and chocolate pairings from February 1-14. Just order a package for pickup or delivery and follow along with the attached instructions for a self-guided tasting at home, or tune in for one of several free guided Zoom tastings hosted by the winery over the course of the two weeks.
Southeast
Pickup or local delivery
Pick up a crusty baguette twisted into the shape of a heart as an accompaniment to your Valentine's Day meal at home.
Pickup
Sarah Bellum's Bakery & Workshop Like List
This Multnomah Village bakery and nonprofit, which helps support adults with brain injury by providing them with job training opportunities, is hosting a remote Valentine's Day cupcake decorating class Past Event Like List on February 6. The bakery will supply a kit that includes cupcakes, piping bags, piping tips, frosting, and food coloring.
Southwest
Pickup
Sisters Gourmet Deli Like List
For a fun twist on the piñata, Sisters makes "breakable hearts" that come with a tiny mallet to smash them open and reveal a bevy of chocolates and truffles inside. Choose between pink, white, or blue, with irreverent messages like "I Love Your Booty," "10/10 Would Smash," and "You're My #1 Bitch" (or an original message of your choosing). They also have booze-infused chocolate-covered strawberries, "crazy sparkle strawberries," and chocolate-dipped strawberry "rose bouquets" with chocolate-dipped apple "leaves" (and a bottle of red wine, white wine, or champagne hidden inside).
Northeast
Pickup or delivery
North
Delivery
