Valentine's Day is fast approaching and if you're wondering how and what in the heck you and your boo would kick it in the COVID-fashion, I may have just the answers for you!
From great food, wine, fun activities, indoors and out, this list is sure to give you inspirations while allowing you to support small businesses in LA!
*Businesses with an asterisk are Sweetduet Chocolate partners
1. Wine Tasting in Open Patio
V Wine Room*, WeHo
903 Westbourne / 2:30 - 10:00 PM
Patios are now finally open! Celebrate by breathing fresh open air and enjoying some incredible Californian wines by small batch producers. Wine by the glass range from $6-18 and they have plenty of snackerage from cheese and crackers to chocolate.
Walk through the inside of the store to get through to the back patio and you will see the beautiful library themed interior, which is an homage to the building's history: once a library and at one point where Charlie Chaplin originated the space as an actor's studio.
V Wine Rooms is also collaborating with Dainty Dames Valentine's murder mystery for their Friday Feb 12 show. Purchase a ticket for this date and stop by V Wine for a murder themed wine and charcuterie bundle (Sweetduet included) at a very enticing price! More info on their collaboration here.
Don't forget to say hello to owners Mikey and Adam!
2. Solve a Murder Mystery
Dainty Dames Events, Virtual
FRI Feb 12 - 6:00 PM (special V Wine Room collaboration add on option)
SAT Feb 13 - 7:00 PM
SUN Feb 14 - 6:00 PM
Do you have what it takes to solve a murder mystery? Dainty Dames is hosting "Virtual Murder Mystery: Murder... without a CLUE!" a murder mystery comedy show that involves you and the other Billionaire guests at Colonel Grady Pupon's Benefit Auction Gala. You can take on an interactive role or just be a murder bystander.
Support this immensely talented group of actors (many of whom have been out of work due to COVID) and come dressed to impress... because you never know who you'll meet!
3. Picnic in the Park
Brentwood General Store*, Santa Monica
1230 Montana Ave #108 / click for hours
Blow your date away (you'll be blown away too) to your favorite outdoor location and take with you Brentwood General Store's beautifully curated and assembled picnic baskets!
I was just in their store the other day and was swept off my feet by owner Melissa and Jeff's Valentine's Day offerings featuring Picnic at Ascot's wicker basket that is forever yours, snacks by Bella Cucina, Rustic Bakery, Compartes, and yours truly to name a few. The level of craftsmanship is out of this world. Baskets are approx $200-260 and filled baskets are $275-350.
You can go to the beach, park, mountains, or in your own backyard, and don't forget a mat and blankets to keep you warm and cozy... or to keep onlookers from catching a glimpse of some canoodling!
4. Charcuterie and Wine Date
Kustaa Cheese & Wine*, Culver City
12954 W Washington Blvd / 5:00 PM seating and 7:00 PM seating RSVP only.
Kustaa welcomes you with a very recently upgraded, heated and partially covered back patio, allowing you to get extra comfy and cozy!
Cheese is their language, with selections from international and domestic regions along with notable hand-selected wines from California and around the world. Ask their cheesemonger for excellent advice to find the perfect pairing for you!
5. Daytime Exploration Downtown, DTLA
Come to DTLA this Valentine's Day and I will give you a free bag of Sweetduet Mango! (more details below)
Downtown LA is where I live and a home to a host of amazing restaurants and activities! Sunday (Valentine's Day) is our farmers market and it is partially thanks to their weekly presence that DTLA is kept safe and sound.
This is how my Sunday would go:
Stroll along Spring St as I admire the nostalic historical architectural details of the buildings and grab a cup of the best tasting chai latte at Bohemian House of Chai by owner and barista, Blackie (he makes everything himself). Turn onto 5th St and take a walk through the Sunday Historic Downtown Farmers Market and buy yourself a little something nice like a potted plant by The LA Garden grown by Diana or an awesome sustainable, zero waste personal care products by Francesco Palmieri to name a few.
As soon as I exit the Farmers Market, I look to my left. The Last Bookstore is LA's biggest independent new/used bookstore and home to local artist exhibit upstairs. I like to wander and feel the humming of the books new and old around me. Sometimes, if I'm lucky, I might run into an artist upstairs who can tell me their story and their inspirations behind their pieces.
When I get hungry, there's Grand Central Market a few blocks away where I can nourish myself to my heart's content. Right across the way on the Hill St side of the market's entrance, The Angels Flight trolley is only $1 to take a short lift up to the top where you can get a glimpse of the Angel's Knoll bench where Jason Gordon Levitt and Zoey Deschanel sat in the movie, 200 Days of Summer.
To get your Sweetduet Mango:
I will be between wandering DTLA and home so if you are an out-of-towner and find yourself here on Sunday, Valentine's Day, text me at 714.396.6500 and I will give you a Sweetduet Mango as a thank you for supporting our neighborhood and its businesses. Of course I would also appreciate a follow on Instagram as well @sweetduetchocolate or our Facebook page where I will be updating when I am out of stock.
(while supplies lasts and must be a non-DTLA resident)
Love you all and hopefully see you on Sunday!
Photo Credits: @angelsflightrailway @brentwoodgeneralstore @woohooannie