Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, as if you haven’t already been told a million times, and everything you’re gonna need to bring the romance is actually right in the neighborhood.
There are, of course, gifts and chocolates, jewelry, soaps and oils, and naturally, bunches of oodles of flowers all over town. In Old Pasadena alone, there are scores of shops available for the special day, as well as restaurants offering outdoor dining, as well as wrapping up their specials for you to dig at home with the one you dig.
Here’s a soupçon of what’s available.
All Love Collections – This unique shop was created in Pasadena, with a goal of creating high-quality herbal products with organic vegan ingredients, cruelty-free and free of parabens and gluten. Theshop is currently having a Valentine’s Day Grand Sale on organic body care. You might want to peep it.
Elisa B. – The Elisa B V-Day shope has gobs of great stuff for her, from lotions to cool jewelry pieces, top and outfits, along with accessories. This might be a Gift Card situation, if you know what I’m saying, and I think you do.
Gold Bug – According to their website, Gold Bug is “a 21st century cabinet of curiosities brought to life by 100+ contemporary artists and bound by threads of science and natural history. Curated with its own neo-Victorian point of view, Gold Bug invites its customers to fall into a truly unique gallery experience, presenting works by some of today’s most interesting emerging designers in a retail space with a museum atmosphere.” In honor of the Day of love, the shop is having a “Up to 40% designer jewelry sale.”
Lather – Lather has a host of skin care products in various gift sets with products ranging from healthy, clean soaps to nourishing creams. In Pasadena since 1999.
M. Andonia – This unique Pop-up shop is filled with unique handbags and accessories. Lot of things to make you ask the clerk, “Will she like that?” Listen to her.
The Soap Kitchen – The Soap Kitchen is a mother/daughter micro business Old Pasadena, California since 2003. It’s bar soaps instead of liquid, and all of the soaps are handmade from scratch, hand-cut, and hand-wrapped by just the two of them.
“By keeping our promise to use only the finest essential oils and herbs in our centuries-old soap making process, our end product has, and always will be, gentle and hydrating on the skin, healthy for the body, and never overwhelming to the nose,” they say.
This week it’s 14% off all Valentine’s Day gifts. That smells good.
Tea Rose Garden – Tea Rose Garden has been in Old Pasadena for over 20 years serving traditional Afternoon Tea and flower arrangements for special events from its Raymond Avenue location. Owner Grace Kim,, has lavished debutantes, brides, and of course, moms and daughters with memorable private parties, showers, etiquette lessons, and the holidays, and is still creating memories. Here’s the deal: There’s tea, there’s flowers. Act now.
Twigzz – Twizz is a small, family-operated business offering floral and botanical arrangements for weddings, special occasions ( like Valentine’s day!), and corporate events. “With a devotion to creativity, beauty, and innovation, Twigzz provides its clients with exceptional arrangements designed to make a memorable impression,” says their store description. Why, that would be lovely!
And how about something sweet, of course! This is easy. Desserts abound in this town, and this is just a tiny list. Pick up something sweet for the one you love, and have it delivered by someone sweet. That would be you, Romeo.
• Mignon Chocolate – Confections by a third-generation chocolatier
• Salt & Straw – Artisan ice cream in uniquely crafted flavors.
• The Pie Hole – “Happiness one slice at a time”
• Vanilla Bake Shop – Home-style cakes, cupcakes and assorted sweets
• Wanderlust Creamery – Ice cream inspired by world travels
There are also obviously hundreds of great places to eat on Valentine’s day or any day, and all are available for outdoor dining, pickup or delivery.
Here’s a quick reminder:
Celestino Ristorante’s Executive Chef Calogero Drago can prepare a romantic dinner on the outdoor patio or you can place an order for takeout or delivery and celebrate at home. Celestino’s is offering a special Valentine’s Day Five-Course Prix-Fixe Menu, or a Valentine’s Day Five-Course Prix-Fixe Menu with a bottle of wine or prosecco.
Executive Chef Gil Saulnier is preparing Valentine’s Day Specials along with Mi Piace’s Traditional Italian Menu. Perhaps Mi Piace’s Lasagna di Carne—hand-made fresh pasta layered with beef, pancetta, fresh herbs, ricotta and mozzarella topped with San Marzano marinara sauce?
There is also the Prime 22 Day-Aged Bone-In Rib Eye with a Truffle Pecorino twice-baked potato; or a Filetto di Salmone with a pan-seared salmon filet, fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes and a lemon caper sauce.
For this year, our year of Pandemica, lovers can enjoy a Valentine’s Day version of the Langham Huntington’s signature Afternoon Tea, exquisitely packed to-go, to create the magic right there at home.
This special offering features Langham Blend tea, 4 mini-sandwich selections, 5 mini Valentine’s Day desserts and freshly-baked scones with lemon curd, Devonshire cream and fruit jam.
All items come packaged to-go in a Langham pink takeout box. That might be reason enough right there.
Meanwhile, Raymond 1886 Executive Chef Jonathan Quintana’s Valentine’s Day Six-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu is available for outdoor dining on Friday, February 12th, Saturday, February 13th and Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14th. Sweethearts who want to celebrate at home on Valentine’s Day (February 14th) can pre-order the Valentine’s Day Four-Course Prix-Fixe Dinner Menu For Two ($125.00 For Two Guests) by Friday, February 12th for Takeout and Curbside Pickup on Sunday, February 14th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
As we said, there is never a shortage of great places to dine. Here are a few more suggestions vis a vis le nuit de amor.
Crack Shack is featuring “Spread Nugs Not Hugs,” (It’s a Covid thing) featuring the popular Fire Nug Combo; while Il Fornaio has a Italian dinner Speciale for two through Feb. 18. There’s also Maestro’s Four course special Mexican-fusion Valentine’s Day menu, along with Perle’s Valentine’s Weekend Menu.
If you’re reading this today, Friday, stop. Make those reservations now. You won’t want to know yourself if you don’t. Just be about the love.
