Valentine’s Day in Vancouver 2013

Men-Only Cooking with YEW Chef Sean Murray

On February 7th, YEW restaurant’s Chef Sean Murray will offer his best relationship advice to one lucky group of guys: how to prepare a perfect three-course “surf & turf” menu of Albacore tuna and braised short ribs. The men-only cooking class then wraps with a wine pairing, a cocktail lesson, and of course, feasting on the evening’s accomplishments. $149 per person. And for those who still avoid the kitchen at all costs, there is always the Four Seasons’ Valentine’s Rendezvous package, including a room, breakfast, couple’s massage, and three-course dinner at YEW. Ambrosiaadventures.com

“Sex Talk in the City” at Museum of Vancouver


Opening on Valentine’s Day, the Museum of Vancouver’s newest exhibition explores the topic of sex in all its biological, historical, cultural, and political manifestations. Learning has never been so stimulating. Adult admission $12. Museumofvancouver.ca

“Kits Bits & Bites” Dishcrawl

You’ve heard of a pub crawl. Now just replace the cheap beer and shots with delicious small plates from four of Kitsilano’s hottest eateries. Dischcrawl is a new San Francisco start-up that runs on the philosophy that communities can be brought together with good food and good company. We wholeheartedly agree, and what better time of year to show your love for food and friends than that sneaky second week of February? Both couples and singles are welcome to join (and spaces are limited!) To make it even more tantalizing, Dishcrawl keeps the restaurants top secret until two days before the event. Of course, we were much too curious to let that happen. So if the other three picks are as drool-worthy as Romer’s Burger Bar, you’re in for a real treat. February 12, $60 per person. Dishcrawl.com/Vancouver

“Love at First Bite” at Nicli Antica Pizza


At the award-winning Nicli Antica Pizzeria, the jury is out as to which is a better aphrodisiac: sharing spoons of silky flourless chocolate cake, or ripping apart a hot, un-sliced, authentic Neapolitan pizza. Decide for yourself on Valentine’s Day with Chef Chris Picek’s “Love at First Bite” menu including both of these treats plus an aperitivo, a stuzzichino, and antipasti. $45 per person. Nicli-antica-pizzeria.ca


Six-Course Dessert Service at BETA5

Skip dinner and go straight to dessert—literally—at Beta5 Chocolates. The impossibly talented chocolatiers at this hidden Mount Pleasant gem will open their intimate upstairs dining space for two nights only (February 14th and 15th). For $175 per couple, sweet-toothed sweethearts will enjoy a six-course plated dessert service with champagne, and take home a 24-piece box of BETA5’s limited edition Valentine’s chocolates. Get tickets online at Shop.Beta5Chocolates.com

“Diva/Divo” Menus at Diva at the Met
Introducing Diva and Divo: two four course menus, one fair and delicate featuring poached lobster, rabbit, and butter toast ice cream, the other hearty and rich with foie gras, pastrami, and chocolate pralines. We won’t say who should order what. We will say make sure your date springs for the wine pairings. $110 per person ($70 without wine). Metropolitan.com/diva

“Valentine’s for Strangers” at Vancouver Urban Winery

Why should couples be the only ones to enjoy wine, candlelight and sinfully scrumptious dishes on Valentine’s Day? In his continued quest to break down Vancouver’s infamous “ice wall,” our old friend Jorge Amigo will host his second annual “Be My Amigo” Valentine’s Day event at Vancouver Urban Winery. Forget the intimate bistro set; here guests will sit at lively 20-person tables as they indulge in select local meats, cheeses, and five different hand-picked wines. To end the night, the group of newly-minted BFFs will enjoy a live jazz band in the fireside lounge. BemyamigoVDay.eventbrite.com

Free Skating at Robson Square and Lucky’s Dougnhuts


Spend a little too much on Christmas gifts this year but still want to impress your Valentine? There is nothing quite as romantic—or free—as gliding hand-in-hand across the ice on a beautiful winter night at Robson Square while sharing a thermos of homemade hot cocoa (think Lady and the Tramp, but less messy). More adventurous couples may even want to join the Valentine’s Day Ice Dance Competition, also free and open to anyone. Skate rentals are available for $4 per person. Robsonsquare.com Afterwards, replenish those ice-dancing calories (or fuel up for the night ahead!) by heading over to Lucky’s Doughnuts for special heart-shaped beignets and cinnamon-glazed crullers. Luckysdoughnuts.com