Restaurant kitchens are known for being high-pressure environments, but at Bistro Cacao, Valentine's Day brings some of the highest intensity. The Washington Post spent the evening there to see what happens out of sight at a place people seek out for romantic moments throughout the year. Bolukbasi has lost track of how many proposals have taken place at her restaurant over the years. "I can't even count," she said.
Welp, we've officially made it: It's Valentine's Gay weekend. And whether you're alone on the couch or hiding from your partner, there's been more than enough LGBTQ+ news to distract from all matters of the heart. How about we take this to the next level? Subscribe to our newsletter for a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Roses are red, violets are blue... If your ex has a warrant, we've got something special for you. This Valentine's Day, give the gift that really delivers - a ride with flashing lights and guaranteed closure. Love fades. Warrants don't. Have an ex with a warrant? We can't fix your love life, but we *can* help with outstanding warrants. We'll make sure they get a Valentine's Day visit.
Join GG Women Professionals (GGWP) at The MADE for a Valentine's celebration that goes beyond the bouquet. We're gathering gamemakers and players to celebrate the full spectrum of love-from the romantic arcs we write into our games to the platonic bonds that sustain our careers and the self-love that fuels our creativity. Whether you're looking for your "Player 2," celebrating your "Galentines," or investing in your own professional growth, there is a place for you here.
If you only know trifle as a way to use up dry cake or as a quaint dish from the Great British Bake Off, you're in for a surprise. This chocolate strawberry brownie trifle is a scrumptious and special dessert to whip up for Valentine's Day, a romantic date night at home, or any time you need a sweet chocolatey treat.
Participants can visit the SoHo adoption center on February 13th after 11 a.m., and take a pet out for a cozy night whether that means a long sunset walk, a rom-com on the couch (PerhapsLady and the Tramp?), or playing together in the park. And here's the real secret: fostering doesn't HAVE to end when Valentine's Day does. If the relationship feels right, participants can continue fostering or even fully commit and adopt!
Gone are the days of dimly lit first dates, swiping right and "you up?" texts. This Valentine's Day, San Franciscans went shopping for a different kind of snack at their local Trader Joe's. Based on the number of name tags handed out, nearly 400 singles showed up at the Hayes Valley Trader Joe's on Thursday evening with the hope of finding love - a testament to the allure of forming in-person connections even in the mecca of AI.
Maybe you first bonded over shared workplace frustrations. You gradually started finding each other every lunch break and synchronizing trips to the coffee machine. Eventually they become a confidant for venting about your real life outside of work. They become your work spouse. And if you find yourself strolling the greeting card aisle sometime today, you may even feel compelled to get this person in your life a trinket for celebrating the most romantic day of the year. Turns out, there are options available.
But at the same time, there's a very deep sense that love is something that we do, and it is the product of our agency, both with respect to fostering a loving relationship, but also seeing and attending to another person, which is something that we do and not just something that happens to us. In many ways, the song is about that.
The pastel-colored conversation hearts stay relevant year over year because their embossed messages can be easily and quickly updated, transforming a generic shape into a crunchy candy canvas that's adaptable to the moment. That makes the face of these tiny hearts some of the most valuable real estate in the Valentine's Day candy landscape, because the right quip could convert a passerby into a sale.
We've asked Queerty readers about their preferences when it comes to speedos, jockstraps, thongs and all sorts of scantily clad attire. So this week, in honor of Valentine's Day, we thought we would put it all together. It's time to dress to impress! For some, that means donning a sleek suit or formal wear (we love a man in a tie). Others may feel their most sultry when they're wearing itty-bitty swimwear or short shorts.
If you are single, such a reminder can be good if you don't like paying double what you normally would pay for essentially the same food at a restaurant. But it can be challenging even if you are happy being single for most of the year. You may be wondering what you can do to occupy yourself during Valentine's Day when you are not part of a couple.
It's not that I'm anti-love. But for many decades now, I've been opposed to Valentine's Day. To me, it's a Hallmark holiday with a dark and murky past-one largely propped up by American corporations to encourage spending and quietly shame the uncoupled. That said, I haven't always felt this way. I remember passing out Valentine's cards and heart-shaped candies in grade school, stamped with messages like "CUTIE PIE," "LOVE BUG" and the wildly premature "MARRY ME." Aw, so sweet!
Jack and I gave up going to restaurants on Valentine's Day years ago. We realized that it was way more romantic-and more fun-to spend time in the kitchen together than it was to eat at a crowded restaurant that we chose weeks or months in advance (because that's how far ahead you have to plan in order to get a reservation). I've rounded up some of our go-to date night dinner recipes below. They include classic Italian pastas, comforting risottos, soups, and more.
One of the most alluring and easy desserts to make is chocolate pot de crème, a fancy French name for chocolate pudding and even though there are few ingredients, and the prep is easy, it is best to pay attention as to how to make this dessert served to royal families as far back as the 17th century. To get that creamy texture and dense, decadent taste, use the best chocolate you can find.
Valentine's Day is firmly a food holiday. New couples can keep it low-stakes with a box of treats. Long-distance relationships call for something like a gourmet dinner delivery that shows up where you can't. People who live together and don't want another object in the apartment can split and enjoy a subscription between them. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link.
7:30 am SF's Magnificent Magnolias Valentine's Day Stroll 2026 FREE* *Free for San Francisco residents w/ vaild ID. Free for all from 7:30-9am daily. Otherwise, $11 for Non-residents | Discounts for Seniors, Families & Children 8:40 am SF's Alcatraz Day Tour: Alcatraz Island + World-Renowned Cellhouse $47.95 9:00 am Trail & Habitat Volunteer Work: Restoring Laguna Honda's Lost Trails | SF FREE
In her latest SKIMS ad, Kardashian donned the Skimpy Scoop Bralette ($44) in a limited-edition "soot" shade, featuring a halter-neck collar with spaghetti straps and stretchy sheer black lace. She paired her bralette with matching Peek-A-Boo Bikini bottoms ($34) in an onyx hue - SpongeBob Squarepants pun not intended. The undies were also made with ultra-fine sheer lace and featured a tie-up cutout in the back. She topped her bralette and panties with a black sheer lace robe, adding a luxurious touch to Kardashian's look.
At first glance, you'll think it's a tourist trap. Le Petit Châtelet is right next to Shakespeare & Co. in the 5th arrondissement, but this restaurant is as authentic as they come. Located in a very old building, Le Petit Châtelet is small, cozy, and warm. And when we say warm, we mean it: there's a stone fireplace inside and they'll cook your meat right over the flames. The food is excellent, and the price point is reasonable for such good fare and location.
For Eric Winter, who has played Tim Bradford since day one, the episode offers another glimpse at how far his character has come, and how relationships continue to challenge him in unexpected ways. "It's been incredible," Winter said. "As an actor, to be able to get a role like Tim Bradford, he's been so complicated and just challenging as an individual from day one. To see his growth, it's been one of the best evolutions on the show for sure."
Each week we cut through the noise to bring you smart, practical recommendations on how to live better from what is worth buying to the tools, habits and ideas that actually last. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. When it comes to Valentine's Day, I'm nostalgic for candy hearts and childhood crushes.
Valentine's Day is coming up fast, and if you haven't started shopping yet, there are a lot of great gifts on sale that should still arrive in time if you order soon. Several Verge-approved gadgets are seeing some of their best discounts since the holidays, with options we think will appeal to a wide range of interests, from thoughtful picks like digital photo frames to e-readers, smart speakers, smartwatches, massagers, and even practical stuff like vacuums. While some are bigger-ticket items, quite a few cost under $100, so there's something here for a range of budgets, too.
Can food exist without love? And, inversely, can love exist without food? The answer to both is yes, of course, but the two are so intertwined that it's hard to imagine a romantic date without dinner, or a form of care greater than cooking a loved one their favorite meal. With Valentine's Day approaching, we at New York Times Cooking took a spin through our reader comments and found many tales of courtship and connection, of partings and proposals.
When February 13-15, 2026 rolls around, something magical happens: NBA All-Star Weekend crashes directly into Valentine's Day. And if you're in the food and beverage or hospitality game, this collision creates the kind of revenue opportunity that doesn't come around often: especially when it's all happening in Beverly Hills. For couples who want courtside thrills and candlelit dining without the hassle of navigating LA's infamous traffic, Beverly Hills is the only play that makes sense.
Most of these traditions began out of necessity. One couple I spoke with started their at-home Valentine's tradition 35 years ago when they had two kids under five and couldn't afford both a babysitter and a nice dinner. They decided to put the kids to bed early, cook steaks together, and eat by candlelight in their dining room. "We thought we'd go back to restaurants once the kids were older and we had more money," the wife told me, laughing.
Honestly, there's no one I love shopping for than my two toddlers. Plus a theme like Valentine's Day? Consider me a dog with a bone. If you *too* have a tiny Valentine in your life, you might just fall in love with one of these little gift ideas. From a nostalgic Polly Pocket ring and a K-Pop Demon Hunters sensory jar to crayon-shiped Lip Smackers and dazzling Minnie Mouse stud earrings, your darling Valentine is going to look like the heart-eye emoji when they're done opening their gift.
is a sweeping celebration of love in every form, brought to life through dance, music, and cultural storytelling. Audiences will be carried from the tenderness of family bonds to the passion of romance, from the ache of heartbreak to the joy of celebration. With new choreography by Artistic Director Gregory Amato and performances by Peninsula Ballet Theatre alongside international guest artists, the stage becomes a mosaic of love stories from around the world.
Valentine's Day isn't just for romance - it's a sweet excuse to show love to the people who make life better. Whether that's your partner, your best friend, your kids, or the roommate who always has snacks, February 14th is the perfect moment for a thoughtful surprise. We rounded up some fun, practical, and totally giftable finds for women, men, and kids to help you celebrate the day of love - Gluten-Free & More style. Think cozy, cute, useful, and a little unexpected.