Food & Drunk
New York is a lot of things, but above a lot of things New York is food.
Remezcla favorite Hecho en Dumbo is offering a $52 four course prix fixe menu with a choice of paella or rib-eye steak as the main, and a performance by Brooklyn based mariachi girl-group Flor de Toloache, who are named for a Mexican aphrodisiac. Remezcla reviewed Peruvian spot La Cerveceria will be offering a six course dinner for just $65; for another $30, the restaurant offers six beer/wine pairings – we like this, because we like beer. A lot. For $45, Agozar is offering a three course meal, though online details are scarce.
Parties & Music
Well let’s get this one out of the way, first: Lila Downs is performing at El Museo. She’s incredible, but she’s sold out – but then, won’t that make it all the more impressive when you get tickets anyway? The concert’s not until Saturday, but if you tell your amorcito/a that you’re going Saturday, you have until then to find tickets. Nothing can go wrong there, right?
If you’d rather listen to your music tomorrow night, check out Tito Rojas at Copacabana Times Square, or the big salsa concert at United Palace featuring none other than the likes of Victor Manuelle. If your tastes swing a little more towards the hipster-tastic, the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra is having two shows tomorrow night at Williamsburg’s Cameo Gallery. Head over and listen to salsa covers of your favorite indie rock you smelly hipster you.
Nacotheque’s Amylulita is hosting a party in conjuction with Queer dance party Azucar called Heartbeats at Williamsburg’s Cubana Social, where delicious Cuban food mix with dancing and live music!
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The theatrically/baseball-ically inclined might be interested in checking out The Roberto Clemente Story which The Puerto Rican Traveling Theater will open on Valentine’s Day. Otherwise, what could be more romantic than the New York Botanic Gardens’ (that’s the one in the Bronx, in case you’re confused) new Caribbean Garden. The Angelika is also screening the Academy Award nominated Cuban animated film Chico y Rita which is a sad love story, of sorts.
Food & Drunk
The new De Rodriguez Cuba location is offering a sharing menu for $60, and if you upgrade to the $75 package it includes a Chef’s Choice wine/champagne pairing. Sugarcane‘s raw bar/grill three course Valentine’s Day menu includes as main dishes butter bathed Atlantic flounder, spiny lobster, and beef tenderloin, accompanied by delicious starters and decadent, complex desserts (the Chocolate Chili Bar sounds wonderful…)
$49 will snag you the prix fixe at Novecento, with the choice of filet mignon, salmon, or shrimp linguine. (What? You didn’t know that linguini was Argentine?) Jaguar Ceviche, Peacock Garden Café and Talavera Restaurant, as they all have the same owners, will all be adding a “chocolate berry bliss” dessert to their menus – we don’t know what that entails, but if your Valentine likes chocolate, or berries, or, I guess, bliss? Check it out.
Parties & Music
Latin music legend Willy Chirino is hosting a concert “solo para los enamorados” at the Fillmore, celebrating his illustrious career – his first album was released in 1974. Alexis Valdés, a man with more titles to his name than a medieval prince – actor, comedian, monologist, film producer, TV host and screenwriter – will be hosting and performing at Taverna Opa, if humor’s the way to your lover’s heart. If party bangers are the way, on the other hand, Sleigh Bells and Diplo will be tearing it up at Grand Central. The other Chirino, Nicolle, will be performing at Bardot with DJ Desiree for the Who Needs a Man? party.
And since we know there are some of you that just can’t get enough Morrissey, Churchill’s Pub is having a tribute to the Smiths and Morrissey beginning at 8, which could be cool, I guess, if you’re depressed.
Food & Drunk
The Long Beach restaurant Fuego makes you feel like you’re on vacation when you’re not with its rustic Mexican decor and killer ocean views. Located inside the hip Hotel Maya in Long Beach, Fuego is the perfect setting for a romantic Valentine’s Day. Executive Chef Victor Juarez is serving up a special prix fixe menu (seafood is his specialty) that can be enjoyed under the stars with an amazing view of the Queen Mary or inside where the bar serves top shelf tequila that can be sampled.
Named after Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s abode in Coyoacán, Mexico, Casa Azul Cantina serves up everything from Mayan-inspired dishes from the Yucatán to savory moles from Oaxaca. Chef/restaurateur Vicente Del Rio also owns Frida Mexican Cuisine in Glendale and Beverly Hills and Frida Taquería in Brentwood, so expect high-end Mexican food that’s nowhere near as good as your grandma’s, but ambiance that is.
Internationally known as the father of modern Mexican cuisine, chef Richard Sandoval is serving up a mouth-watering three-course meal at La Sandia that includes an assortment of fried chicken and tomatillo, sweet corn and queso, and mole pork tamales, and your choice of mahi mahi in a molcajete, skirt steak with shrimp, or chile relleno. Save room for dessert because I guarantee you’ve never had sweet corn tamales with churros, sweet cream, and raisins in your life.
Impress him or her with your extensive knowledge of mole at Moles la Tia. This East Los haven offers some of the best I’ve ever eaten. Legend has it the delicious smell of mole made a nun break her vow of silence in the convent of Santa Clara in Puebla, Mexico where mole poblano was born. Try interesting flavors like coconut, passion fruit, tequila and coffee mole, and peep the local art that hangs on the brightly covered walls. Hold hands while you walk down Cesar Chavez and breathe in the smell of some of the best taco stands in the world.
Coupa Cafe is offering a “Love Sharing” menu with Venezuelan specialties like pabellon and tres leches cake.
Parties & Music
Don’t miss out on Mucho Music’s Valentine’s Day offering of Las Cafeteras and brand new singer/songwriter Irene Diaz. There’s just one catch: it’s on Wednesday. If you’d rather party on the night, then don’t miss The Conga Room’s tribute to Celia Cruz, including dinner.
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Luchadores need lovin’, too. Head over to Lucha VaVoom Valentine’s: Lucha is for Lovers! to kick ass on Valentine’s Day!
Food & Drunk
What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than dining in style? Treat that special someone to an unforgettable Valentine’s dinner at Colibri Mexican Bistro where they will be offering a seductive 4-course menu and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine. If something a little more casual is your style, Olea’s Chef, Gabriel Amaya, will be preparing a special 4 course prix fixe seasonal menu. This almost hidden gem of a restaurant at California and Larkin St has been winning over foodies and critics alike for Amaya’s seasonal Californian cuisine with a Mexican flare. And for those whose celebration must involve all things gluttonous, Regalito has you covered with what has almost become a Tuesday night tradition – Pigalito is a celebration of the free-range, sustainably sourced hog and all its yummy goodness! You and lover can devour an entire hog through a pork focused menu, inspired by the markets of Mexico, consisting of Tacos de Carnitas, Tortas de Puerco, Gorditas, and other staples of the market stalls.
Parties & Music
The party start early with La Santa Cecilia’s pre-Valentine’s Day Party at Elbo Room Monday night featuring local favorites Las Bomberas de la Bahia who are guaranteed to keep you dancing throughout the night. Then on the 14th ditch the old dinner-and-a-movie routine and impress your special someone by spending a romantic Valentine’s Day with Trio Garufaat the Red Poppy ArtHouse! This is the perfect intimate venue to come with your sweetie, and dance to their Argentine Folk tunes and, of course, their fiery Tangos! Happen to have 2 left feet? Don’t worry! You can still capture the romantic spirit at Pena Pachamama’s Ballet Flamenco Dinner and a Show featuring a renowned company of Flamenco musicians and dancers!
If dancing to more contemporary music is your thing, Los Rakas have you covered with their Raka Love party at 330 Ritch featuring DJ Leydis and Nima Fadav; and for those of you who are boycotting St. Valentine all together but would still like to explore traditional celebrations of love, Mission Cultural Center will be hosting Sol de Amor, a community conversation with Ecuadorian curandera, Carmen Vicente followed by a South American “Blossoming” Ceremony featuring a choir of ceremonial singers
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Looking to surprise that special someone with something a bit different for Valentines Day? Surprise your valentine by packing up a picnic and finding a romantic spot near one of the 109 public PA speakers in San Francisco to hear a city wide broadcast of Tony Bennett performing “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” live from City Hall exactly at noon. Don’t live in San Francisco? Many of the local radio stations will also be preempting their programming so just take your ghettoblaster and a great mixtape.
Later head over to Justin Herman Plaza where, every year, thousands gather in front of the Ferry Building to pummel on each other at the stroke of 6pm. The Great San Francisco Pillow Fight is the perfect Valentine’s tradition for both those who want to kick off their festivities with a bang or those who just need to discharge the volatile emotions that are often triggered around this time. Tip: bring soft pillows (the temperpedic kind can feel like a bag of doorknobs) and something like a bandana to cover your face to protect from chocking on feathers.
Finally, head on over to The Exit Theatre which is presenting six funny, sad, insightful and inspiring plays that are perfect to be shared with someone you love, or someone you want to love you more!