No doubt you’ve seen a few Valentines’s Day posts pop up in your FaceBook feed a month or two ago, yet dismissed them with a procrastination that’s unfortunately present in most of us. This is precisely why I decided to come up with a few ideas four measly days before because let’s face it, we’ve all waited until now anyway.
Fly by the seat of your pants and road trip to an event
Chocolate Daze 2016 — Wooster, Ohio
Celebrate your last minute creativity and pop on down to Wooster, Ohio for their 10th annual Chocolate Daze. Since this event runs from Friday, February 12 to Saturday, February 13, you’ll really have to beat feet. The event showcases 25+ merchants offering up confectionary specials during their regular business hours. And as a bonus you get to explore the streets of Wooster, which are undeniably sweet.
Columbus Symphony — Columbus, Ohio
Valentine’s Day doesn’t always have to involve chocolate and wine. How about the tasty tunes of a Los Angeles-based Journey tribute band collaborating with the Columbus Symphony? Time-defying power ballads are always romantic, especially “Faithfully.” Showtime is 8:00 pm on Saturday and tickets range from $25 – $68.
Dinner with a twist or just a very good dinner
Punch Bowl Social Club — Cleveland, Ohio
Playing games together can be really romantic. Leaning over your loved one while you gently direct the pool cue in the right direction or taking ahold of a bowling ball at the same time during a moment on the lanes — yikes, it’s getting hot in here. The Punch Bowl offers billiards, bowling, ping pong, old school arcade games, board games, darts and shuffleboard. Combine that with a locally sourced, organic ingredient driven menu at the GastroDiner and you’re looking at a date night hit.
B & B Riverboat Cruise — Cincinnati, Ohio
It’s tough to find something more romantic than a Valentine’s Day riverboat cruise on the Ohio River. Like the folks at B & B say, let the captain be your cupid. While I don’t usually condone buffets, the menu includes chocolate short ribs, which I’m thinking can’t be bad. Act quickly though as Sunday is the last weekend boat available. Total price for two is around $110.
The Orchard — Port Clinton, Ohio
Much fresher than your old pickup lines, one thing will stand out here: ingredients. One of the best new restaurants in the area, The Orchard creatively prepares phenomenal dishes that are focused on natural and locally grown ingredients. Visit their FaceBook page to check out their long list of Valentine’s Day specials, which span the length of the entire weekend. I’ll put my money on the lobster-stuffed portabella mushrooms. Make sure to check out there tremendous specialty cocktails as well.
The Rail — North Olmsted, Fairlawn & Canton, Ohio
A burger and a beer may not seem like the most romantic thing ever, but c’mon, their burger of the month is called The Heartbreaker — A blend of Ohio beef & Ohio andouille sausage topped with sweet roasted red pepper cream cheese spread, lettuce and tomato. Then of course you must wash it down with a rare Cincinnati beer, which are cameoed on tap for the special month-long FeBREWary event. Painstakingly focused on all things Ohio, it makes perfect sense to celebrate Valentine’s Day Ohio-style here. Plus, who want’s to dress up anyway? Just one more suggestion, try the Truth IPA from Rhinegeist.
Go outside-of-the-box
Chocolate & Beer Valentine’s Day 5K & 10K — Dayton, Ohio
Now this one could go one of two ways. It’s either “Wow, that’s such an ridiculously unique and fun idea,” or “Wow, you’re dumb. Let’s go eat somewhere and get chocolate afterward.” But of course you know whether or not your significant other is a beer drinker/runner, so it’ll most likely be a fairly educated decision. The race does come with a box of locally made Kilwin’s chocolates and a cold beer, so that makes it quite a bit more enticing. The 10K starts at 3:00 pm and the 5K starts at 3:15 pm. There’s also a costume contest so be sure to dress up and then head over to Brixx Ice Company for the afterparty.
The old standby
Tre Sorelle Cioccolato — Sandusky, Ohio
There’s a reason chocolate is the unrivaled Valentine’s Day king and Tre Sorelle is the perfect example why. Consistently ranked very high among the Ohio confectioner elite, these ladies really turn out the tasty truffles. Alliteration aside, I’m serious, these things are unbelievable. Merlot. Apple Pie. Raspberry Champagne. Ice Wine. Take your pick, you will not be disappointed. Or just go for the chocolate-dipped strawberries, because those always work.
Is there a place in Ohio that just has be on this list? Please share below, on Twitter @ItsAlwaysOhio or on FaceBook!
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