Valentine's Day and much, much more

Along with Valentine's Day experiences, you'll find fabulous getaways (Valentine's weekend and beyond; local and Canada), a new opening, wine and chocolate to die for. Start planning your mid-winter fun now!

Heathman Hotel and Trellis

Slipping into a gorgeous hotel knowing it's all about you for the next 24 hours is delicious. You can do it any day at the Heathman Hotel Kirkland, but why not up the deliciousness for Valentine's Day? The Romantic Getaway Package includes your overnight stay with choice of preferred mattress style from The Art of Sleep Bed Menu, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine, signature Trellis Truffles, a 2 p.m. late checkout, and overnight valet parking. At Trellis, choose the Valentine's weekend "Lovers Menu" where all menu items are shareable. Savor your room, meal, surroundings and each other.

The Heathman Hotel and Trellis are located at 220 Kirkland Avenue in Kirkland, Washington. The Romance Getaway Package is available all year long, not just for Valentine's weekend. Package prices are based on availability, exclude all taxes and gratuities, and must be made with two days' advance notice. The Trellis "Lovers Menu" is available all Valentine's weekend. 425-284-5800. www.heathmankirkland.com

Captain Whidbey Inn on Penn Cove

It's a long, cold winter: let this historic inn provide a romantic dinner and getaway! You'll enjoy a relaxing evening and private fireside dinner in your waterside cabin. Chef Ryan will prepare a special four-course Northwest dinner for the evening to be delivered to your cabin. When feasible, the chef will visit and discuss the ingredients and preparation that has gone into your dinner. Zagat says of Chef Ryan's dishes, "The seafood is stunningly fresh and good!" The Inn has timbered walls and stone fireplaces; waterside cabins have wood-burning fireplaces, decks, and private baths. Make it a winter to remember!

Captain Whidbey Inn is a 30-minute ferry ride from Seattle or Edmonds, at 2072 Captain Whidbey Inn Rd, Coupeville. The Private 4-Course Dining package with overnight stay is available Wednesday-Sunday nights in waterside cabins during February and March. Package includes complementary continental breakfast. $320 for one night, add second night for $175. If you prefer you may dine in the dining room. Black out days apply (including Valentine's weekend). Does not include alcohol, gratuity, or taxes. 360-678-4097. www.captainwhidbey.com

Valentine's Day, Chihuly Garden and Glass

Memorable, unique, and delicious: isn't that what you're after for a fantastic Valentine's Day? It all takes place in the Exhibition's awe-inspiring Glasshouse, and includes valet parking, a champagne toast and passed starters upon arrival, a delectable four-course dinner designed by Chef Thomas Kollasch of Collections Café, a bottle of wine selected by their Wine Director (guests receiving wine must be 21 or older), and live music by local jazz musician Jacqueline Tabor and her Band. After dinner, tour the galleries and garden, leaving with a keepsake commemorating your unforgettable evening. This is the final Valentine's Dinner in the Glasshouse, so don't miss this event; reserve early.

Valentine's Dinner offered both Saturday, February 13, and Sunday, February 14. Chihuly Garden and Glass is located on the Seattle Center Grounds at 305 Harrison Street. Valentine's Day extravaganza is $275 per couple, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Please call 206-753-4927 for reservations. www.chihulygardenandglass.com/events/valentines-day

Petra Mediterranean Bistro

Transporting us all to another time and place through amazing flavor is what Petra does best. With their recent expansion and remodel, it's an even more unique destination for special events and moments like Valentine's Day. Each Saturday brings belly dancing to enjoy with your flavors from Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, Turkey, and Northern Africa. A full bar complements your menu choices, and the new space includes a lounge. Don't waste a minute: visit the new Petra today. Your taste buds will thank you!

Petra is located in the Belltown neighborhood at 2501 4^th Avenue. Lunch is offered weekdays from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and Saturday noon-3 p.m. Dinner is offered Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:15 p.m., Friday 4:30-9:30 p.m., and Saturday 3-9:30 p.m. 206-728-5389. petrabistro.com

Resort at Port Ludlow and The Fireside

Relaxation has become a lost art. Let the Resort at Port Ludlow renew all of you with their Valentine's experience. Stay the night in a beautifully-appointed room with oversized jetted tub and gas fireplace. Book a spa treatment from Ludlow Bay Massage-the Massage Flame, a hot oil massage; or Romantic Retreat with mango and mandarin. Treatments for singles or couples. Save your evening for an eight-course tasting menu by Executive Chef Dan Ratigan. Linger over foie gras, duck consommé, Quileute River steelhead, champagne-passion fruit granite, beef strip steak, winter greens, Point Reyes blue cheese, and Mystery Bay goat cheesecake.

The Resort at Port Ludlow is on the Olympic Peninsula, just a few minutes past the Hood Canal Bridge, at One Heron Road in Port Ludlow. Dinner only is $95 per person, with an optional wine pairing for $35, plus tax and gratuity. Call 360-437-7412 to reserve your table. Spa treatments must be booked in advance by calling 360-437-3798. Call the front desk for room reservations at 360-437-7000 or reserve online at portludlowresort.com

Notch8 Restaurant & Bar at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Notch8 will feature a sinfully decadent five-course dinner that will take you on a culinary journey of the senses. Starting with an amuse, continuing on to a starter of mushroom consommé, a sharing plate of duck confit croquette, a main of tenderloin and lobster thermidor, and finishing with either whisky or bubbles and a chocolate sensory experience for dessert. Notch8's Private Dining Room will be transformed into a stunning Chocolate Cave: floor-to-ceiling custom-built chocolate-covered walls, and a selection of over 25 chocolate desserts created in-house. Make it an extra romantic weekend when you stay over on our Champagne & Chantilly Lace Package.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is located at 900 West Georgia Street in downtown Vancouver, B.C. Valentine's dinner will be offered February 13 and 14 with seatings from 5:30-9:30 p.m. $95 CAD per person, plus tax and gratuity. The Champagne & Chantilly Lace Package includes overnight stay, valet parking, Chantilly lace eye mask, chilled bottle of sparkling wine and chocolate-dipped strawberries, deluxe breakfast served in your room, and 3 p.m. late check out. For reservations and more information, 604-662-1900 or hvc.concierge@fairmont.com.
www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver/special-offers/other-offers/notch8-valentines-day

LOCAL Public Eatery

South Lake Union has a new gathering spot! Pub classics, rotating taps, and an 80s throwback feel: you'll be livin' the life! An open kitchen allows lounge lizards to feel the energy of the chefs with views of the bakery, taco station, and gyro machine. Pub classics are joined by dishes like Al Pastor Tacos with pork cooked on a Lebanese vertical spit. Local breweries, cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juice, wine on tap. 'Recovery Room Sundays' offer classic hangover cures. Games; patio; bike rack with air, water and tools; as well as dog hang out for cyclists and dog owners.

LOCAL Public Eatery opens February 5, and is located at 404 Terry Avenue N. Open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. 206-257-1888. localterryave.com

Olympic Peninsula's Red Wine & Chocolate

There is life after the Super Bowl -- and it begins with Red Wine & Chocolate! Come to the Olympic Peninsula and drive leisurely through scenic towns-Chimacum, Nordland (Marrowstone Island), Port Townsend, Sequim, Port Angeles-where 10 artisan wineries and cideries will delight the senses! Along with new red wine releases paired with sweet and savory chocolate delights, some new white wine releases will debut. Lock your love in place on Olympic Cellars' Love Lock Fence and view local art in the winery's Gallery of Love; take selfies in FairWinds Winery's Pirate Photo Booth; observe traditional champagne-making process at Alpenfire Cider and more!

The Red Wine & Chocolate Tour will take place over two delicious weekends, February 13-15 and 20-21 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online or at any of the wineries. Wine and chocolate tastings at all 10 wineries and a souvenir glass are included. Non-touring visitors will be charged a $7 tasting fee at each winery. Visit www.olympicpeninsulawineries.org for further information.

Neighborhood Grills Valentine's Weekend

On special days, go where you're most comfortable. Neighborhood Grills, naturally! Valentine's weekend brings special dishes: choose the ones you want. Seared filet appetizer on crostini with blue cheese and red pepper arugula salad ($9.99). Entrée choices: Sea Scallops & Risotto-4 seared scallops, parmesan herb risotto ($15.99); Lobster Ravioli-lobster meat tossed with sherry cream sauce, cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs ($19.99); Filet Mignon-6 oz. with herbed brie butter, crispy Brussel sprouts, whipped potatoes ($21.49); make it surf & turf with 2 scallops, parmesan herb risotto (+$6.99). Raspberry cheesecake for dessert-who can resist? Live music on Valentine's Day!

Special dishes available Valentine's weekend, Friday-Sunday, February 12-14, 3 p.m.-close. Check with locations for live music details. Neighborhood Grills has five locations: Greenlake Bar & Grill, Eastlake Bar & Grill, Lake Forest Bar & Grill, Bremerton Bar & Grill, Maple Valley Bar & Grill. Check them out online at www.neighborhoodgrills.com

February 2016