January 28, 2007

Mondo New York-style Valentine's Day romance list

Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday this year, which means you may actually want to celebrate it the weekend prior, which means now's a good time to consider your dining/shopping or sabotage strategy.

Some quintessentially New York options for the romantic (and anti-Valentine's) celebrants:

Let's start with Dylan's Candy Bar, because they're offering free chocolate if you use the promotion code: chocolate4U07 when purchasing more than $50.

Dylan's Candy Bar - Remember those candy necklaces? You can now get a grown-up version to cover your man's package ($13) or your gal's ta-ta's ($13.) Or play it safe with a dozen long-stemmed chocolate roses ($60)

New York Public Library Shop - So much more than just the complete works of Jane Austen on CD, ($120,) they also offer a pair of bawdy Shakespeare mugs ($26) and the poison-pen letter writing set ($17)

Jacques Torres - There's a traditional Valentine heart box ($42) and then there's the raspberry body paint ($9)

Rockefeller Center ice rink proposal package - For $200, they'll clear the ice for your proposal and give you five minutes skating time alone after you pop the Q.

MarieBelle - Not specifically a Valentine's deal, but these pin-up girl chocolate bars ($15) are tempting.

New Yorker store - Let her know there will be no ring by wearing a New Yorker cartoon shirt that says: "Susan, this might just be the wine talking, but I think I want to order more wine."

Babeland - Shop the Valentine's page by topic headings such as "for the game player," "for the gadget lover" and "for your best girlfriend, mom, or ..."

MoMA's Design Store - Careful with the mixed messages if you go for the Clear Acrylic "diamond" ring ($10,) or the Return to Me Wrist Cuff ($35,) which lets you punch in your own message on the bracelet

Dean & Deluca - Top pick: the chocolate stiletto ($60)

Tiffany & Co. - It starts at $80 for sterling silver earrings, and goes up to the foolish range

Abracadabra - For the sexy and erotic costumes

International Center of Photography - See books, the body

Empire State Building - Proposals happen here almost daily but only once a year are nuptials allowed: for Valentine's Day weddings. But the deadline to apply has already past, so plan for next year if you must. The observation decks are open until 2 a.m. through February - but only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Museum of Sex - Staff picks include the guide to "Erotic New York" ($11) and the museum magnet ($4) reproducing the sign 'Please don't touch, lick, stroke or mount the exhibits."

Liberty Helicopter - If you only need 15 minutes to express your love, try the "Romance over Manhattan" package that assures it will be just the pilot, you and your special friend ($849)

Spirit Cruises - Brunch and dinner cruises around Manhattan from $36

Christopher Norman Chocolates - Here, even the box is made of chocolate: painted heart box ($85)

Li-Lac Chocolates - There's the traditional stuff, plus a chocolate heart on a stick ($3) or Champagne on ice (all made of chocolate, of course) for $45.

FAO Schwarz - Mainly kids' stuff, including Chatterbox the Valentine Bear, who records and speaks ($30)

Footlight - Maybe a little music, like "Eartha Kitt Live from Cafe Carlyle" ($18) or "The Complete Rodgers & Hart Songbook" ($36)

SweetRiot - Not chocolate, but all-natural cacao -- the $17 lover's pack gets you a mix of light, dark and espresso.

Elsewares - Again, for the twisted Valentine, there's the Lovesick plate set ($40) or the razorblade/heart necklace ($110)

Broadway Panhandler - Valentine's cookie cutters ($5) or the heart-shaped Couer d' Creme Mold ($10) with instructions to add cream cheese, cream, sugar and berries.

Kate's Paperie - In addition to the fussy gift wraps and make-you-own-card dealies, there's a pre-assembled Cavallini Leather Wrap Journal in Toscana Red (on sale for $20)

Junior's - cherry heart cheesecake ($40)

Cooperstown Cookie Company Valentines - sweet shortbread cookies shaped like baseballs, (from $40)

Fat Witch Brownies - The $20 sweetheart special gets you nine regular-size brownies plus four minis in blonde and walnut

Gurney’s Inn - If you’re up for a drive to Montauk, a mere $149 will get you an ocean-view room for the night and day use of the spa facilities for two.

More Valentine's Day resources:

OpenTable.com Valentine's Day menus, reservations (free)
PrimeTimeTables.com ($35 and up)
New York magazine's best florist finds
CitySearch's Girls Night Out guide

Earlier: Valentine's nears: NYC's romantic hotel packages
24 hours of romance in Manhattan
The whispering gallery of Grand Central Terminal

January 28, 2007 09:52 AM in Foodology, Romance, Shopology

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