this is life in austin & aspen

I love Valentine’s Day. I’m the girl who makes something for all her friends to show them how much she loves them and because she doesn’t want them to feel left out on such a lovey holiday (also, usually single). But I like that more than the stereotypical romantical Valentine’s Day–could have to do with the singleness. But I’m actually “attached” for once, so I can’t help but be excited for a dinner date. Below I’ve posted a guide for things to do if you’re single or attached–just embrace the love either way! (Not gonna lie to ya, fellas, this one is geared toward the ladies except steps 2 & 4)

1) First of all, the gals of Austin need to pamper themselves regardless of man status: hit up Embellish’s MTW Sale! Through February, the Triangle salon offers discounts every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, where you take $5 off regular pedicures or $10 off a mani/pedi combo (mention the offer when booking). The hippest place to get the best mani/pedi, Embellish also has boutique offerings and funny V-Day cards.

Embellish also offers for those frisky femmes:

2) Work it out single or attached! Sweat With Your Sweetheart is a Free CrossFit Austin workout at Town Lake at the perfectly reasonable hour of 10:30am. More details to come, but pencil it in.

3) Flying solo? Gather girlfriends and head to the theaters for a double feature of He’s Just Not That Into You and Confessions of a Shopaholic. It’s no coincidence two of the girliest–but good–movies to hit theaters in years are primed for V-Day watching. Or, rent a ton of cheesy chick flicks, make Skinny Bitch in the Kitch vegan cookies, share some bottles of wine, and revel in friendship.

3b) Pre-Party for V-Day with your girls by heading to Birds Barbershop’s BFF event! More details coming soon, but go ahead and snag your BFF from 6-9pm this Friday night.

4) QT with your Cutie?

Try these romantic, you-probably-need-a-reservation-or-you’ll-end-up-at-Denny’s (it’s happened to me before …) spots that are nice but recession-friendly and not at all snobby:

34^th Street Café

$38 per person with one glass of house wine
Amuse Bouche:  Flame Kissed Gulf Oysterw/ Drawn Garlic Butter, Parmesan Chives & Sea Salt

Second Course:  Choice of One Lobster and Pernod Bisque OR Fall Greens Fig Vinaigrette Candied Walnuts, Duck Confit & Maytag

Third Course:  Choice of One Lobster Risotto Steamed Green Beans OR Petit Fillet of Beef Rooted Vegetable Gratin Garlic Sautéed Spinach in a Red Wine

Sweets:  Chocolate Kiss of Death Molten Tart OR Raspberry Caulis & Amy’s Sweet Cream Ice Cream

Blue Star Cafeteria
Chef RJ Slade Valentine’s Day Menu Special Prix-Fixe
$38 per person * Wine tasting with meal add $12 pp

Amuse-Bouche: Classic Tomato Basil Soup with Crème Fraiche

First Course:  Salad from the Garden, Mixed organic greens from the chef’s garden and Boggy Creek Farm with strawberries, local goat cheese, pistachios and blood orange vinaigrette
* Irony Chardonnay (Napa Valley) * Juicy tropical fruit and mineral notes with lively citrus, crisp green apples, rich cream and vanilla

Second Course(choice of one):  Sashimi Grade Sesame Crusted Tuna, Sexy sashimi grade sesame crusted tuna with a spicy orange and wasabi sauce, couscous and roasted organic local vegetables from the chef’s garden and Boggy Creek Farm OR Beef Tenderloin, a perfect tenderloin with a demi red wine pepper sauce, sour cream and chive mashed potatoes & roasted organic local vegetables from chef’s garden & Boggy Creek Farms
* DeLoach Pinot Noir (Russian River) * Nose of ripe raspberries with notes of anise, cardamom, gingerbread spice and rich black cherries

Sweets & Bubbles:  White Chocolate Mousse and berry-filled chocolate bagsand bubbles for two

Cookie Lounge

Be Mine Combo: 2 medium/2mix in, 2 scoops ice cream, 2 shaken milks or custom soda$12

Single and Special: 1 medium/2mix in and milk shake $6

Valentine’s Day Sundae:  Belgian Dark Chocolate with toffee and macadamia nuts, cream Chantilly sprinkled with valentine M&Ms $4

Hayashi Modern Japanese Cuisine
I know, I know, stop talking about something in Cedar Park already! But maybe there are some CP readers who just love sushi and want to know what Chef Lin’s Valentines Menu entails:
Five course omakase $55/person

1. Red Snapper Carpaccio with momiji citrus and organic baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, red onion and cucumber with a hint of grape seed oil.

2. Heart Shaped “I love u” sushi roll with creamy sauce and strawberry sauce, sampling of Virgin Roll and Tuna sashimi with spicy lemon citrus.

3. Cupid Arrow Skewers of Kobe meatballs with spicy teriyaki sauce, mango Chilean sea bass and lucky seven spice chicken.

4. Pan seared Japanese scallops with yuzu tobiko over sliced asparagus, shaved radish, beets, kiwis and pomegranate and chives.

5. Minty Salmon and mango tartar with sweet grapefruit sauce and light meringue foam.

**Featuring a love potion 140 cocktail made with a variety of fresh fruits.

No reservations? Don’t succumb to Denny’s! Try somewhere fun and casual with counter service and healthy options, like Daily Juice Cafe or Whole Foods!