Valentine's Day is right around the corner. It's a time to shower the people you love with love and a great excuse for a little winter celebration after the holidays have passed. Here's some traditional and not so traditional ways to celebrate Valentine's Day with everyone you love in the Cranford - Westfield Area.
Traditional: Dinner and a Show
When planning a date night out, you really can't go wrong with dinner and movie. And thanks to the vibrant downtowns in Cranford and Westfield, you don't have to go far for either. You can park downtown, enjoy a fabulous meal then head to one of our fabulous local movie theaters or support community theater and catch a live show! Check out the local restaurants offering Valentine's Day specials then keep reading for information on movie theaters and community theater offerings.
Dinner
A Toute Heure* - Cranford
Not only one of Cranford's best restaurants, but truly one of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of dining at, A Toute Heure offers lovingly prepared meals utilizing fresh, local, in season ingredients. For Valentine's Day, they are offering a 4 course tasting menu with seatings from 5pm-10pm.
One Hundred Steps* - Cranford
Conveniently, A Toute Heure opened a sister restaurant across the street designed for seafood lovers. Normally not open Tuesdays, One Hundred Steps will be open with a special menu on Valentine's Day. They offer a raw bar as well as a seafood heavy New American cuisine menu.
Bar Americana - Cranford
Bar Americana is cozy and fun, and they are offering a three course pre-fixe menu including dessert and complimentary champagne toast!
Pairings* - Cranford
Pairings will be offering a four course dinner culminating in something called a "Chocolate Bomb." Yes please!
Tablespoon Cafe* - Cranford
Tablespoon is featuring a four course pre fixe menu. Good luck choosing between the Maine Lobster Bisque and the Truffle Goat Cheese Ravioli for your second course!
*BYOB
Shows
One of the most fun parts of Downtown Cranford and Downtown Westfield is that each town has a local movie theater! There's nothing quite like smelling freshly popped popcorn while strolling through town. On Valentine's Day, why not catch a movie after dinner? And because Valentine's Day is a Tuesday, you can take advantage of reduced ticket prices at both locations and see a movie for less than $10 a ticket!
Cranford 5 - Cranford
Rialto 6 - Westfield
For some LIVE theater, check out the Cranford Dramatic Club! They'll be performing Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit Thursday, Friday and Saturday February 10-18.
Wine Bars
If wine is the way to your heart, not that I know anyone like that, check out these local wine bars offering live music and Valentine's Day specials.
Rosie's Wine Bar - Garwood
Rosie's offers a huge wine selection served in a hip atmosphere. For Valentine's Day you can purchase a special "Romance Package" in advance for a nice surprise.
16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro - Westfield
With a wonderfully warm atmosphere (think twinkly lights) and live music 5 nights a week, 16 Prospect is a great night out!
Brunch or Dinner at Home
If the Valentine's Day crowds are not your thing or maybe you're looking to include the entire family in your celebration consider a Valentine's Day brunch or make your own special meal at home with some expert help.
Paragon Tap and Table - Clark
For something a little different, Paragon is offering a Valentine's Day Brunch on Sunday February 12 from 11:30-3. Children are half the price of adults, so it's a sweet way to celebrate with the whole family!
Perrotti's Quality Meats - Cranford
If you want to really impress your date or your family, there's nothing like a home cooked meal. After all, food is love! For the best cuts of meat with a side of expert advice, check out Perrotti's. The entire team there is so knowledgable and eager to help, and their meat does not disappoint! So, pick up a couple filets or a pot roast for the whole family.
Less Traditional Options
These next options are great for spreading the love to both dates and great friends. If you haven't celebrated Galentine's Day with your girls, you're missing out!
Cozy and Creative
Two great ways to have a blast with those you love are to get cozy and get creative! By get cozy, I mean spas and massages. A day at the spa with your girlfriends or a couples massage with a partner is a great way to share some love! For an extensive look at spas in our area, check out my Wellness Guide.
Two spots to check out if you're looking to flex your creative muscles are Fire Me Up Studio and Art e Vino both in Cranford.
Fire Me Up Studio - Cranford
Fire Me Up has a ton of options for unlocking your creativity including pottery painting, glass fusing, clay handbuilding and canvas painting. On Friday 2/10, they are hosting a pottery night based on the movie Ghost and on Saturday is a beautiful canvas painting. You can bring your own snacks and beverages plus your creations can double as Valentine's Day gifts!
Art e Vino - Cranford
Art e Vino is offering a couple's canvas paint night on Valentine's Day. Each partner paints half of a canvas. That's some pretty strong team building!
Fit and Fun
Sometimes getting moving with friends or a date is the best way to connect and unwind. If you're interested in checking out some area fitness classes, see my Guide to Fitness or go ice skating! Warinanco Park is closed for renovations this season, but check out Union Sports Arena. They offer public skating time Friday and Saturday nights and admission plus skate rentals are less than $20 per person!
Really Wild
If you're looking for a totally different and truly wild way to celebrate Valentine's Day check out Turtle Back Zoo! On Saturday February 11 from 6 to 10pm TBZ is hosting Date Night at the Zoo! There will be dinner and dessert, a cash bar, and a behind the scenes tour and up close animal presentation with an emphasis on "The Birds and the Bees."
Have a happy Valentine's Day, and check back here soon for more local guides including a runner's guide and one for dog lovers!