For The Love Of...10 Unique CT Valentine's Day Gift & Events

Oh, for the love of....! How do you typically finish that sentence? We here at CTBites have a lot of love to share and would like to complete that thought with a whole flurry of creative ways to wooooo your special someone. Show the person you love (like/lust) that they are the peanut butter to your jelly, the mac to your cheese, the frosting to your cupcake. We offer you these delish restaurants and take out spots, seductive surroundings, heavenly drinks, gratifying classes, tasteful gifts...hell, we are making this holiday easy for you. You should send US a Valentine! Take a peek and enjoy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Here are 10 totally unique local CT Valentine's Day Gifts for your loved one...

Oh-Baby-Let’s-Turn-up-the-Heat Valentine 

Chef's Emporium

449 Boston Post Road, Orange

www.chefsemporiumct.com

Instead of merely dining this Valentine’s Day, cook and dine! Head to Chef’s Emporium for scrumptious Valentine’s Dinners or a Valentine’s Brunch! It is said that the way to the heart is through the stomach, so test that theory by learning how to make Chef's favorite romantic recipes—and eating them, too! Bring your best bottle of wine and indulge in a tempting menu on February 12th...Tuna Carpaccio, Lobster-topped Filet Mignon, Spicy Chocolate Creme Brûlée or on Saturday, February 13 where Fondue, Champagne Risotto and Lava Cake will be highlighted. Price is $75 per person/$135 per couple (use discount code DINNER2016). More of a morning person? Sample everything from made-to-order omelets and Belgian waffles to Eggs Benedict and Applewood Smoked Bacon then wash it down with BYO mimosas and Bloody Marys (mixers provided) at Chef's Valentine’s Brunch on February 14, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., $40 per person/ $75 per couple (use discount code BRUNCH2016). And because Chef's hearts its customers, each event includes a 10% in-store discount (day-of only) and a special gift bag of Valentine’s Day goodies! Head to their website to purchase tickets and get cookin’, good lookin’.  

Let’s-Get-The-Heck-Out-of-Dodge-(Well-Sort-Of) Valentine

Delamar/Artisan

275 Old Post Road, Southport

www.delamarsouthport.com

This February, Delamar Hotels are celebrating love all month long with their Month of Love Packages. Bring a special someone to curl up in front of a fireplace at Delamar Southport or enjoy a waterfront getaway at Delamar Greenwich Harbor this February. There is no need to worry about planning romantic gestures, the details are covered. The Month of Love packages include an in-room bottle of champagne, chocolate truffles and a rose petal turndown in your deluxe accommodations. For a little pampering, add a decadent spa treatment to your getaway. The award-winning spas offer a wide array of treatments including the popular Couple's Massage and nothing beats the heated treatment beds on a cold winter's day! For anyone looking to schedule these services, they suggest booking in advance, as the spas book up quickly (shocker). Both restaurants, Artisan and l'escale are winners of Best Hotel Dining by Connecticut Magazine and will be featuring romantic prix fixe menus for Valentine’s dinners the weekend of February 14th. Artisan offers cuisine influenced by New England's seasons and farmstead items and l'escale serves contemporary Provencale fare with a Mediterranean touch. Sometimes you don’t have to go far to feel like you have gotten away!

I-Want-a-Great-Home-Cooked-Meal-But-Don’t-Want-to-Cook-Valentine

Garelick and Herbs

Locations in Westport, New Canaan and Greenwich

www.garelickandherbs.com

Valentine’s Day is on a Sunday this year and Sunday dinners are family dinners filled with love. For our little loves, bring home fun heart-shaped Baked Ziti, Mac-and-Cheese, and what says love more than a heart-shaped pizza! For grown-up tastes, Garelick and Herbs has a wonderful romantic dinner-for-two. Their Sweetheart Dinners include your choice of Beef Wellington topped with Mushroom Duxelle, delicately wrapped in puff pastry (who can resist anything wrapped in puff pastry?), Rack of Baby Lamb Chops with Red Currant Coulis or Honey Balsamic Glazed Salmon in a heart-shaped potato nest. There are more options to choose from, too, that are lovingly created by their talented chefs. We only have so much space here! Garelick and Herbs has delightful sweet endings as well...heart-shaped (are you sensing a theme?) Yellow Cake, Mini Chocolate Salted Caramel Cupcakes, Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, Death-by-Chocolate Hearts and of course, their signature heart-shaped cookies. There are also plenty of home and gift items to set your love a-flutter if you want a non-foodie treat. Ok, everyone, time to make that Taylor Swift heart shape with your fingers now...l-o-v-e!

I-Waaaant-Suuuugar Valentine

Le Rouge Chocolates by Aarti

190 Main Street, Westport

www.lerougebyaarti.com

The Best Chocolate shop in Westport has you covered this Valentine's Day to impress your loved one. Men out there, are you feeling brave? Head to a men’s chocolate making class and make delish chocolate treats for your honey! Have no fear, couples classes are also offered (power in numbers, right?). If buying and presenting is more your druthers, then LaRouge’s Indian and globally inspired confections are sure to be a hit with their artistic shapes and colors and unique, mouth-watering flavors....Lemon Petron, Ghost Pepper Dark Chocolate, Guava Chili Mango, and Wasabi Ginger Truffles, “Open Flower” Truffles, buttery caramels infused with coconut, pistachio and raspberry (are you drooling yet?). Still can’t decide? “Make your own bar” by choosing the chocolate and toppings and Aarti will whip it up and package it for you. They are sleek, modern, and perfectly delicious. You could always opt for a little trip to the cafe on a wintery afternoon with your beloved-go for a slice of one of their stunning cakes or fluffy mousses and enjoy a cup of their signature (and sublime) Saffron Pistachio White Hot Chocolate. Love never tasted so sweet. 

Make-My-Room-Look-Like-a-Luscious-Room-out-of-a-Magazine Valentine

The Local Vault

187 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich

www.thelocalvault.com

Shopping at The Local Vault is good for your marriage. You could make a fancy restaurant reservation this Valentine’s Day and spend the evening with your better half and the two couples seated to your left and to your right, but we have a better idea: Champagne and strawberries for two…in bed. Transform your bedroom into a romantic retreat with The Local Vault’s collection of high quality, stylish, luxury home furnishings and décor. Not that anyone likes a name dropper but...they have pieces from some of the best names in the business for up to 50-85% off retail! Sure, the pieces are previously owned, but we won't tell anyone if you don't. What happens at The Local Vault, stays in The Local Vault. Or in Las Vegas, whichever comes first. Whether your space needs a simple refresh or a total makeover, they can help you turn it into a place you’ll never want to leave. See? We told you it was good for your marriage.  

Maybe-a-Scarf-Maybe-a-Candle-Maybe-a-Pillow-Maybe-a-Wine-Glass Valentine

The Mason Jar

266B Main Street, Monroe

http://themasonjarmonroe.com/

Unscrew the lid on The Mason Jar Monroe and you will find all sorts of Valentine's Day goodies. Looking for some special jewelry, clothing, snazzy home decor or non-toxic beauty products? They have it! You might like the “Treat Yo Self” candle (scent: Pistachio macaroon) or Mr. and Mrs. stemless wine glasses, mugs (“You’re My Person”... how cute is that?), hand painted cutting boards and kitchen utensils, jewelry, and Valentine's Day throw pillows! You can even get some glittery, colorful Valentine's Day confetti to sprinkle all over your dinner table (annoying? fun? you decide). So many cute things to choose from for so many age groups that hit that popular rustic-yet-modern target. Maybe the best part? ALL of their home goods and accessories are Made in the USA , with many goods coming from right here in the good ol’ Nutmeg State. Part of their mission is to help other small businesses succeed! We like that. Open this jar!

Distill-My-Beating Heart (ha!) Valentine

Westford Hill Distillers

196 Chatey Road, Ashford

www.westfordhill.com

Is your lover a locavore who relishes what Connecticut has to offer for food and drink?  Westford Hill Distillers’ Poire Prisonniere is the perfect gift. This voluptuous heart-shaped bottle has a full-grown Bartlett pear inside. The bottles are lovingly hung on the trees (on trees!) in early June and the tiny buds grow into golden pears (in the bottles!).Then Westford Hill Distillers fills each bottle with its clear pear brandy, known as Pear William Eau-de-Vie, hand-dips each bottle and marks it with a unique series and bottle number. Westford Hill’s Pear William is distilled from 100% pure Connecticut-grown Bartlett pears—no added sugar or flavorings. Pure Connecticut. This limited edition product was named Best in Show in Package Design at the Los Angeles International Wine & Spirit Competition. Begun 18 years ago as one of the pioneering craft distillers in the U.S., Westford Hill Distillers produces organic, gluten-free Rime Vodka, a line of clear, dry spirits distilled from raspberries, cherries and strawberries, plus a 14-year aged New World Aged Apple Brandy from a blend of Connecticut apples. Fans of aged spirits will swoon over this apple brandy! The Smithsonian even featured Westford Hill Distillers at their History of Food series in 2014.

Read-Sweet-Words-To-Me-As-I-Sip-A-Latte Valentine

Atticus Bookstore and Cafe

1082 Chapel Street, New Haven

Food surrounded by books. Quite possibly a dream come true? Maybe this is your very own Valentine. Nestled alongside the Yale University campus in the Yale Museum of British Art is the Atticus Bookstore-Cafe. This is no ordinary grab-a-scone-and-a-coffee cafe, this is one that serves up some pretty inventive and healthy breakfasts and lunches. Not too many bookstores serve up a Smoked Salmon Tartine or Croque Monsieur-nice!This bookstore, open since 1976, has been a haven for students, celebrities and New Havenites, making it an icon unto itself. Sit at the central counter, burrow into a cozy chair and delight your love with both good words and good food. Cookbooks, love sonnets, poems...there are all kinds of words for everyone that you love.

When-Love-Grows-A-Meyer-Lemon-Make-Margaritas Valentine

Logees Greenhouse

141 North Street, Danielson

www.logees.com

Chocolates...no. Flowers...maybe. Something surprising and unusual...yes! A fruit tree for the food lover or green thumb in your life! Does your loved one enjoy fruity margaritas or tarts? Get thee a Meyer Lemon or Persian Lime tree! Or is there a love of fresh figs or Star Fruit? There is even a plant called a Peanut Butter fruit tree. Going out on a limb here...but we don’t think it spawns Reeses (just a guess). Logees gives great instructions and information about your planting zone, but for some of these trees, a sunny window is all that is needed. This is truly a gift that keeps on giving, and giving, and giving... 

Don’t-Break-My-Heart-Take-Me-To-See-A-Blackheart Valentine

Ridgefield Playhouse

80 East Ridge Avenue, Ridgefield

www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer, Joan Jett will be gracing the stage (with the Blackhearts, of course) this Valentine’s Day at a Ridgefield Playhouse Gala, February 14th at 6pm. Champagne with be flowing, there will be roses and dinner-by-the-bite with culinary contributions from area restaurants, shops and caterers. Top the evening off with their live auction, where you can win prizes such as a beauty package, a BMW for a weekend or beautiful jewelry. Tickets are $175 for this unique and fun night! Turn your once Blackheart into a warm, fuzzy pink one (awww)! Just say it: I love Rock-and-Roll.