All the single ladies, all the happy couples, all the chocolate lovers, all the yogi ninjas, put your hands up!

Unless you’re Beyoncé, you might not be able to score a spa day at Kura Door for you and your love this close to Valentine’s Day.  But who needs all that pampering, when you have each other, right? Wrong!!!  Don’t worry, we won’t tell Captain Whiskers that your relationship isn’t complete without a little mid-February fringe.

So, what to do about the panicky feeling that just set in, realizing Valentine’s Day is this weekend and you have no plans?  Well, whether your date is a glass of whiskey, a guy you wish you had swiped left on, your hubby of 43 years, or your frisky feline, we have just what you’ve been Googling for!  Or if you prefer to avoid what some call, “singles awareness day”, avoid no more! 

Here’s your guide to making Valentines a day to be excited about, without having to empty your retirement account.

Pick one (or all) of the three perfectly planned dates and enjoy!  Feel free to mix and match, after all, this is your day!

Nothing gets our taste buds in the mood like starting the day with a Belgium Waffle from The Little America Coffee Shop.  Don’t let the name fool you… this place is far from little, and serves way more than coffee.  Located inside Little America, this cool and casual spot is famous for serving up traditional comfort foods and breakfast all day long.

We don’t question it when Ballet West puts on “The most romantic story of all time”.  We just get online and buy tickets and be glad we can be there for it! We wouldn’t miss the chance to witness the Utah premiere of Romeo and Juliet, performed by a cast of almost seventy-five -- and neither should you!
 

[Capitol Theatre 50 W 200 S | Buy Tickets online.]    
       

No night could be more perfect than one ending with a flight of wine at the most stylish bar in Salt Lake.  And, if you’re hungry, they serve up the entire Café Molise menu.  Reservation not required, but certainly recommended. 

[BTG Wine Bar 63 W 100 S | Mon – Sat: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM, Closed Sunday]

If a persuasive beverage is not your thing, check out Gourmandise Bakery for late-night sweet satisfaction.

[Gourmandise The Bakery 250 S 300 E | Mon – Thu: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Fri – Sat: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Closed Sunday]

 

What says happy Valentine’s better than “Happy Hips and Heart”?  Taking a beginner-friendly yoga class by that same name, with a date, a friend, or by yourself!  Full Circle Yoga & Therapy is where everyone is welcome.  From the first-timers to the yogi ninjas, this is the studio you’ll always feel comfortable practicing.

Thursday: Evening Yoga for Everyone | 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM

               Candlelight Flow | 7:00 PM to 8:15 PM

Saturday: Yoga Basics | 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

               Happy Hips and Heart | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Sunday: Gentle Yoga | 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

               Sunday Funday | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

               Restorative & Yoga Nidra | 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

[Full Circle Yoga & Therapy 1719 S Main St | Class Rates: $10 -- Passes Available | www.FullCircleUT.com]

After waking up your body in yoga, it’s time to wake your pallet with creative Mexican Fare, served in an artsy, colorful atmosphere.  There is not one thing on the menu we don’t love.  Oh, and that includes the margarita menu! 

Frida Bistro is the creation of Jorge Fierro, the founder of Rico Brand.  He believes in food being fresh and that every meal should be an experience.  In fact, Frida Bistro’s website says, “Make love to our food.”  And you thought you weren’t going to get lucky this Valentine’s Day.

[Frida Bistro 545 W 700 S | Closed Sunday | For Hours, visit www.fridabistro.com]

Now, we’ve never had a dessert at Frida Bistro, but that’s only because our favorite cookies are just around the corner.  And if there is one thing we refuse to go without on Valentine’s Day, it’s Ruby Snap Cookies.  Speaking of food experiences, these cookies will cause buckling in your knees, weightlessness in your feet, and if you realize the next month has started without one last cookie from last month, leaking from your eyes.

 

That’s right, Ruby Snap features different cookies each month, in addition to the always-addicting varieties they make all year long.  So, naturally, February’s cookies have a theme:  you will LOVE them! 

[Ruby Snap 770 S 300 W | Mon – Sat: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM; Closed Sunday]

 

Did you think we were teasing about cats not minding store-bought valentines?  You should know we never joke about pet pals.  And neither does Mountain West Hard Cider.  They love animals so much that they are doing a Valentine’s Pet Portrait Day.  Their tasting room will feature a photo booth where you may take photos with your loved ones, friends, family, pets, etc.  This isn’t just fun and creative; it is for a great cause!

So hit the store and grab a donation of cat or dog food for an instant print or email file of your Valentine’s Day Pet Portrait.

[Pet Portraits: Saturday, February 13th -- 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM | 425 N 400 W, SLC]

You may have heard that Avenues Proper & Publik House won our own ‘best of lunch spots’, so it’s no surprise, they would land a spot on our Valentine’s date radar.  This sexy microbrewery is also a full-service restaurant, serving up American food like you’ve never had.  Our favorites are the duck fat pop-corn, chicken and waffles, mussels and frites, apple fritter, the entire brunch menu -- I think you get the idea.  We love this place!

[Avenues Proper 376 8th Ave | Closed Monday; Open Late; for hours and menu www.avenuesproper.com]

Now that your heart is full from the divine dining experience that is Avenues Proper, head next door to Hatch Family Chocolates.  We mean it when we say, there is no place better to give way to your inner chocoholic.  Fruit dipped in chocolate, caramels dipped in chocolate, gummy worms dipped in chocolate, chocolate dipped in more chocolate with cayenne pepper – this is the real deal.  Don’t forget to take a bag – or three -- of chocolates with you, because if you don’t you’ll wish you had, and your inner voice will say, “told you so”. 

This Sunday, they are opening just for Valentine’s Day from 11:00 AM to about 4:00 PM!

[Hatch Family Chocolates 376 8th Ave | Mon – Thu: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Fri – Sat: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Closed Sunday (except for Valentine’s day this year!)]