You know that we here at SaraBozich.com are all about local everything. We eat, drink and play locally and think you should too.
Here are a few ways to make your Valentine’s Day a local bouquet of everything from wine to chocolate.
Wine:
We’ll start with wine because nothing says Valentine’s Day more than a nice glass of wine before, during or after dinner.
Firefly by Vineyard at Hershey
If you’re into dry reds, this is your ticket to bliss. It’s a mix of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that gives notes of currant and plum with a warm finish. Combine that with the back end of spices, and you have one wine that will heat things up.
This wine is on the opposite end of the spectrum. It combines American Niagra and Cuyaga grapes to give you notes of ripe peaches followed by a citrusy finish. You can pair this wine with some pasta or at the end of the night with a creamy creme brulee.
Spring Gate makes a few of their wines available in different capacities. This one is available in the “normal” bottle, 12 oz bottles in their “Wine for Two” brand and also a wine growler.
SpringGate will also be holding a Valentine’s Day dinner featuring a three course meal and two bottles of wine.
Cocoa di Vezzetti by Vineyard at Hershey
While you’re picking up your Firefly or any other wines from Vineyard, be sure to grab this amazing Port-style wine for a real after dinner treat.
Cocoa di Vezzetti is fortified with brandy and aged on a blend of roasted cocoa nibs that gives you tastes of chocolate covered cherries.
Beer options:
If you or your loved one is not into wine, maybe a LaGrave, a champagne-like Belgian golden ale from Tröegs, could be a better option. ZerØday’s Dolce Vita or ABC’s Chocolate Avenue Stout are both great desert varieties as well.
Chocolate:
Matangos Candies in Harrisburg is the perfect place to put your own personal touch on the traditional heart-shaped box of candy. They have everything from some of the best chocolate covered pretzels you can find to Venetian mints, which are one of my favorites.
Grab a box of their assorted chocolates, or pick out your own, to pair with the Cocoa di Vezzetti to give you a rush of chocolate and fruit with every bite and sip.
Another alternative would be heading to Macris Chocolates in Lemoyne. Although they are somewhat newer to the area, they are no stranger to us. Their sea salt caramels are an indulgence. If I had a bag of them I would eat them like potato chips.
Dining:
Skip the monotony of heading to Olive Garden or Applebee’s to treat yourself to a fresh meal from any number of our local restaurants.
If you’re looking for something a little more casual, or wanting to save a few bucks, the Broad Street Market in Midtown could be a great way to get ahead of the curve on Saturday (closed Sundays).
You can treat your self with delectable donuts at Evanilla and end the day with a pulled pork sandwich from Two Brothers BBQ. It’s also a great place to pick up fresh, local ingredients to make dinner at home for that special someone.
A walk around midtown to places like the Market, ZerØday and Susquehanna Art Museum can be a unique date.
A combination of whiskey, unique food and atmosphere make Stock’s a perfect place to have a dinner for two.
»» There’s still time to enter to WIN tickets to Stock’s Whiskey Business Wednesday!
For Valentine’s Day, I would recommend getting the Chocolate Revolver made with creme de cocoa, Kahlua and Old Forester Bourbon. This is one of their signature cocktails that are aged in charred oak barrels to bring out even more flavors.
Live music, unique cocktails and a special dinner are being served up at Cafe 1500 this year starting a 5 p.m. No menu has been finalized, but keep an eye out on their Facebook and website for the menu.
The music for the evening will be provided by singer/songwriter Pat Cusick. Reservations are required!
Any combination of these will help you break from the norm to inspire romance in your relationship this weekend. Take the time to show that special person that you care by planning out a great day.
