For those not in the know, Galentine’s Day is on Feb. 13, and is a day for gal pals to go out, sip and celebrate each other. As if that’s something unusual! I just call that Thursday night.
But it’s a thing (started with a 2010 episode of “Parks and Recreation”), and specials for this pop culture holiday abound. I’ve listed some of them here.
Then on Feb. 14, which is Valentine’s Day for you nerds who can’t remember, go to one of these venues with your sweetie for a drink. After that, I’m hoping you have reservations for a very nice dinner somewhere. Enjoy!
The Cooper celebrates Galentine’s for three days
The Cooper’s mango Key lime pie. Photo by LibbyVision Inc.
Knowing a good thing and running with it is a specialty of the folks at The Cooper in Palm Beach Gardens. This time, it means having a three-day fest with a special menu for gal pals Feb. 11 through Feb. 13. It’s a prix-fixe menu that includes a glass of prosecco for $35. That’s a starter, entrée and dessert, such as the mango Key lime pie (pictured), mais oui!
The Cooper, 4610 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens; 561/622-0032
Galentine’s Day specials in Miami-Dade county
- Pisco y Nazca: On Feb. 13, any woman mentioning Galentine’s Day will receive a free glass of Champagne. 8405 Mills Dr., Miami; 305/630-3844
- Bulla Gastrobar locations: Mention Galentine’s Day and receive a glass of complimentary red sangria.
- Atton Brickell Miami’s Vista Bar: For something a bit different on Galentine’s Day, go to a free “Movie Under the Stars” event here at 7 p.m. on Feb. 13, have a free glass of prosecco or wine and watch “50 First Dates” on a huge screen. 1500 SW 1st Ave., Miami; 786-600-2600
Shhhh… Louie Bossi’s has a secret cocktail for you
Here’s something that only you will know when you visit Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar & Pizzeria on Valentine’s Day. Sommelier Ervin Machado has created the Romeo’s Kiss (pictured), with fresh raspberries muddled with lime juice, sugar cane Cachaca and Sicilian sparkling rose. It’s not on the menu, but if you ask for it, it’s yours. If only true love were as easy to come by.
Both locations, Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale
Cupid’s Cup special for a twosome
The Wilder, a lounge bar the opens at 4 p.m. daily in Fort Lauderdale, is offering a Valentine’s Day special for two, a play on the Pimm’s Cup called Cupid’s Cup (pictured). It’s served in a special canister, with two glasses, and can be paired with chocolates. Cost for the Cup is $25.
The Wilder, 701 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954/523-4050
It’s a DIY (beautiful) triple-threat cocktail
Why should you try a do-it-yourself cocktail like the Smoke & Flowers drink for Valentine’s Day? Because of the name, because it’s beautiful (pictured) and because it’s made with mezcal. Mostly because it’s made with mezcal and St. Germain, two of my favorite ingredients. In fact, I’m going to try and make it myself, and here’s the recipe for you, too. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Cocktail name: Smoke & Flowers
Available at: Your house!
Full recipe:
- 7 ½ ounces Montelobos Mezcal
- 2 ½ ounces St. Germain
- 5 ounces strawberry puree (wash strawberries and blend in a blender)
- 3 ¾ ounces lemon juice
- 2 ½ ounces simple syrup
Method: Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir together vigorously. Add ice cubes when ready to serve. Garnish with strawberry and lemon slices.
A White Cosmopolitan stars at Boulud Sud Miami
Yes, you can make this spectacular White Cosmopolitan cocktail yourself (pictured), or you can gaze into someone’s eyes as you sip yours at Boulud Sud Miami, which is featuring it for Valentine’s Day. The orchid ice ball just puts it over the top. Here’s the recipe for your files:
Cocktail name: White Cosmopolitan
Available at: Boulud Sud Miami
Full recipe:
- 1¾ ounces Ketel One Vodka
- 1 ounce white cranberry juice
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce St.Germain
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 1 piece orchid ice ball
Combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into carafe. Present with martini glass and orchid ice ball.
Chocolate drink calls from Bulla Gastrobar
You should know how to make a dessert drink—just because. Might as well start with this one because it has chocolate and cherries. ‘Nuff said. It’s the Valentine’s Day drink at either Bulla Gastrobar location in Miami.
Cocktail name: Chocolate-Covered Cherry
Available at: Bulla Gastrobar
Full recipe:
- 1 ramekin chocolate sauce (from Churros)
- 3 dashes cherry bitters
- ½ ounce Triple Sec
- ½ ounce Emilio Lustau Pedro Ximenez
- 1½ ounces Russian Standard Vodka
Shake well and enjoy.
Portico Beer & Wine Garden offers wine special
Portico Beer & Wine Garden.
On Valentine’s Day, have a bottle with a special someone and Portico Beer & Wine Garden will only charge you 50 percent of the bottle price. Watch the sunset at this Intracoastal venue, or play outdoor games there such as ping-pong, corn hole and giant Jenga.
Portico Beer & Wine Garden, The Diplomat Beach Resort, 3460 S. Ocean Dr., Hollywood; 954-602-8761
Lynn Kalber was raised in Boca Raton and has always worked in Palm Beach and Broward counties. She is a career journalist, with 26 years at The Palm Beach Post alone, where she wrote feature and food articles, edited the food section and wrote about wine as part of the Swirl Girls. She lives in West Palm Beach with her husband, writer and author Scott Eyman.
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