How to find treats for your sweetie, friends or family
Valentine’s Day is nearly here but there’s no need to panic. There are still plenty of places where you can find last-minute treats or even events to do something special for your sweetheart, friends or family.
Whether buying chocolates or tasting wine, here are some tasteful ways to celebrate the holiday. And Happy (Almost) Valentine’s Day.
Artistic Confections: You’ll find Valentine’s Day-themed cookie cakes, cake pops and chocolate-covered strawberries (look for mini cheesecakes topped with ganache and a giant chocolate-covered strawberry) at the Midtown bakery, which also offers baking and decorating lessons. 1712 Thomasville Rd.; 850-577-3000.
Au Peche Mignon French Bakery Shop: The bakery’s display cases are filled with chocolates, heart-shaped cookies, pink and red macarons and assorted pastries with Valentine’s decorations. Think Cupid. Au Peche also features heart-shaped boxes to package your treats. The shop will be open Saturday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 220 N. Duval St.; 850-668-5533.
The Sensory Experience from Chef Shac: Shacafrica Simmons, known as Chef Shac, is hosting this four-course dinner paired with wine. At the same time, there will be poetry, art work, a saxophonist and excerpts from the hit play The Comeback, written and directed by Véronique George. It all takes place at Soulful Cafe, the new restaurant she and Kirtecia Washington (Chef K) are opening at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. 1600 Miccosukee Rd. $84 single; $157.50 couple. Reserve tickets at https://www.chefshac.com/sensory-experience
Decadent Delights Tally: The bakery will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, offering lots of sweet baked goods, with packaging available 1779 Apalachee Pkwy.; 850-354-8702.
Deep Brewing Co.: The brewery is hosting its 4th “Gallontines Day” celebration from noon to 9 p.m. on Feb. 14. The message: “Enjoy decadent offerings as we release our ‘Box of Chocolates’-inspired beers in an ode to the infinite depths of our love.” Tally Mac Shack will be there with surf and turf. 2524 Cathay Ct #2; 850-567-0295.
La Tiendita Mexican Restaurant: The venue is hosting a Valentine’s Day party from 7 to 10 p.m. with live music and food and drink specials all day on Feb. 12. 1840 N. Monroe St.; 850-523-1394.
Liberty Bar & Restaurant: The lively venue will be open Monday night and you don’t need reservations. Liberty will be featuring a special creation from Ology Brewing Company.1307 N. Monroe St.; 850-354-8277.
Macarons By Amanda: On Saturday, you can stroll around Tallahassee Nurseries and pick up some lovely macarons from this home baker. It’s too late for custom orders but Amanda will have a limited number of boxes filled with macarons and make-your-own boxes at the nursery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you did place orders, you can pick them up then, as well. Tallahassee Nurseries is at 2911 Thomasville Rd. You can email [email protected] for future orders.
Max’s cheesesteaks: Get two straws and sip this chocolate-covered strawberry shake, the flavor of the month at Max’s. The shake brings fresh strawberry purée with rich chocolate custard ice cream, topped with whipped cream, house-made chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate sauce and strawberry syrup. FYI, the shop will be selling chocolate-covered strawberries, $20 for a regular dozen, $25 for assorted and all the profits will be donated to NAMI-Tallahassee, whose mission is to support and advocate for families and friends of people with mental illness. The strawberries are available on Max’s website for preorder right now; all orders will be available for pick up on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. 1600 W. Call St.; 850-765-8413.
Peterbrooke Chocolatier: Just breathe in the aroma of chocolate and get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day at Peterbrooke. The place has 5,000 chocolate-covered strawberries for starters. Their selection includes chocolate sweetheart and long-stem roses, chocolate-covered popcorn, white chocolate freeze-dried strawberry bark (and other flavors), cake pops, caramel apples with Valentine’s Day decorations and a bottle of bubbly covered in chocolate (peel away the plastic covering and the chocolate will peel off so you can eat while you sip). Miracle Plaza, 1817 Thomasville Rd.; 850-577-3111. Photo credit for top picture of chocolate-covered strawberries.
Poco Vino: The downtown wine shop and event space will be featuring a Valentine’s Chocolate and Wine Tasting on Feb. 14. Stop by between 5 and 8 p.m. for a tasting flight of four artisan chocolate bars paired with wine. An example: Markham & Fitz White Chocolate and Strawberry paired with Cava Naveran Brut Rose, Spain. 225 S. Adams St.; 850-320-4552; $35.
Tasty Pastry: For five decades, the bakery has been the source for all sorts of Valentine’s-themed goodies. Look for heart-shaped pink and red sugar cookies; mini heart-shaped cakes; jumbo cupcakes garnished with a decorative rose; housemade fudge; and chocolates. You should still be able to find lots of goodies on Monday. 1355 Market St.; 850-893-3752.
Treva’s Pastries & Fine Foods: The shop offers Valentine’s Day, heart-shaped cookies, some filled with jam and others topped with flowers and chocolates. If you can, call ahead to reserve the treats you’re craving. 2766 Capital Circle NE; 850-765-0811.
Uptown Cafe and Catering: Love breakfast for dinner? Uptown is presenting its 7th annual Valentine’s Day Brinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14. It’s a good way to celebrate with friends, family, or your breakfast-loving sweetie. Call for reservations. 1325 Miccosukee Rd.; 850-219-9800.
Rochelle Koff writes about food and dining at TallahasseeTable.com, on Facebook@TheTallahasseeTable and Twitter @tallytable. Reach her at [email protected]