This Valentine's Day, I've got you.
What to do instead of going out for dinner.
It’sValentine’s Day, a day of love, and flowers, and fancy dinners. But for me, dinner out on Valentine’s Day, is just too expensive and too cliché. Even when I was with Craig, we never went out. He cooked for me. Or we went to see live music or a comedy show, or out for really good barbecue and cold beers. We went out for fancy dinners some other time. That said, for the restaurant industry it’s a big night, and that’s why there are going to be endless lists of where to go for that special dinner for two (check out the lists from my friends at Resy and Eater NY, and more). So, if you want to go out for a luxurious meal, and drink cold Cava and platters of briny oysters, you’ll be able to find a place that suits you and yours.
So instead of a typical list of Valentine’s Day restaurants, I’ve got something different, a list of non-dinner Valentine’s Day plans , full of theater, volunteer opportunities, cookies, cake, hot pockets (!), staycations, and more.
Sending you all lots of love!
xx Andrea
Go to the Theater, Dahhhhling.
We live in New York City, people, the greatest theater city (IMHO), so maybe take yourself to see a show? Here’s one that marries two of my favorite things: restaurants and musicals!
Cornelia Street opens February 14th at the Atlantic Theater Company, where it’s currently in previews. The play comes from Tony Award winner Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), who collaborated with acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark Eitzel (American Music Club) and choreographer Hope Boykin (Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater). Directed by Neil Pepe (American Buffalo), Cornelia Street is set in the West Village where we find Jacob Towney trying to save the restaurant that has been his second home for most of his adult life. He’s also working out his relationship with his daughter, while visiting old ghosts of the village. Tickets here.
Volunteer, Baby.
Take this day of love to the next level by sharing love with someone who might really need it right now. Here are two opportunities to make the world a better place.
Read and Respond to poetry by incarcerated writers.
For incarcerated people, a letter or photo is a vital connection to the outside world. Join Repair the World, Tribe 12, and Free Minds to respond directly to the moving poetic words of currently incarcerated poets. You’ll use poetry and storytelling to connect individuals on both sides of the prison walls, and to promote hope and healing through literary art.
Tuesday, February 14, 6:00-7:00 pm ET
Frontera Fund’s Abortion Love Letter Writing Campaign
Because of the fall of Roe v. Wade, Texans (and many others) are being forced to travel out of state for their abortion care, creating unnecessary stress and stigma. Frontera Fund, which raises funds to make abortion accessible in the Rio Grande Valley, is working to push back against the Dobbs decision, including filing proactive lawsuits against the state of Texas to allow it to fund abortion travel once again. This Valentine's Day, they have launched a campaign to send a love letter to someone who has had an abortion. All letters will be sent to abortion clinics and given to patients directly. If you can, consider donating to the Frontera Fund along with your letter!
Go to the Beach (Rockaway Beach that is)
If you follow me on social media, you know that The Rockaway Hotel is one of my favorite spots to staycation, any time of year. In winter, it’s ideal because the beach is barren and beautiful, the boardwalk makes a great place for a long run in the brisk air, and the hotel puts out their individual saunas right by the heated pool for a nice shvitz and a plunge. Plus there’s the serene spa, and their terrific restaurant Margie’s for cocktails, oysters and more. For Valentine’s Day they are offering several packages at the spa, one that might suit you and yours: it includes 80-minute massages for two in their Ocean Bungalow (with bubbly, chocolates, and a take-home gift).
They’re also doing a daytime special for you and your pal, partner, friend with benefits, what have you. This day of relaxation, exfoliation and hydration includes an 80-minute personalized facial along with a full body scrub and ultra-hydrating body Butter Treatment. How good does this sound? I will be there! Book yours today!
Grab a Beer and a Very Good Burger.
You can have a fancy dinner another night when it’s not so overcrowded and overbooked. Instead, go to a neighborhood place for a cheeseburger. There are many great ones in this city, but here are some faves! (Tell me yours in the comments?)
Gus’s Chophouse does a fantastic house Burger and Fries at the bar that may be my new favorite.
The burger at Au Cheval is excellent, as are the Ice Cream Sundaes, and the buzzing fried chicken honky tonk bar downstairs, so it’s hard to beat.
Inga’s Bar also does a fantastic double cheeseburger, and the bar is so cozy and snug you’re bound to fall in love, even if it’s just with their house Manhattan.
Red Hook Tavern has one of the most talked about and beloved burgers in all of New York City, and if Benny is working, you’re guaranteed to have wonderful night. He’s the best.
Eat Cookies and Cake.
I think chocolates are fine and all, but cookies and cake are more my jam. So I’m advocating for a night on the couch with your favorite show (I just started Shrinking starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, and it’s very good), eating cookies and cake. *yes both! It’s a holiday, people!) You could make your own, sure, but why go to the trouble when Dawn and Dave make such great ones at One Girl Cookies? They’ve got a sweet little 4-inch cake for two ($28, in your choice of chocolate with raspberry cream filling, or vanilla with passionfruit curd filling), and an assortment of beautifully decorated cookies ($5-$8), and mini vanilla cupcakes (packaged in the cutest tiny box, $5 each). Order on their site, www.onegirlcookies.com or by calling 212 675 4996, for in store pick up only.
Have a Heart
I love Edith’s for many things, the Bloody Mary, their malawich, their burekas, and their Turkish Breakfast, just off the top of my head. For Valentine’s Day they’re making a limited number of Strawberry-Jam-Filled-Heart-Shaped-Hot-Pockets! What really says ‘I love you’ and/or ‘I love myself’ more than a warm, buttery heart-shaped hot pocket filled with sweetness? I can’t think of a thing. Order for Pickup/ Preorder here. They will also have limited quantities available on Valentine’s day in store. Yum.