Flowers
Splurge:
Roses are the go-to flower for romance on Valentine’s Day. For male and female Casanovas with looser purse strings, Doherty’s Flowers, 1536 Second Ave., offers an arrangement of one dozen roses for $69.95. If your valentine would appreciate a more bejeweled reminder of your love, Doherty’s also offers a half dozen red roses, in a red vase with a 1-carat Swarovski crystal pendant for $52.99.
Budget-friendly:
For the budget conscious, a half dozen Gerber daisies or tulips in assorted colors can be picked up at any Boesen the Florist location for $37. For the artsy-types who would rather substitute creativity for a higher price, why not make your significant other a mixtape of songs about flowers or compile a bouquet of his or her favorite treats?
Events
Splurge:
Dinner and theater are staples of classic romanticism. For the high rollers, The Venue, 216 Court Ave., is hosting “A Valentine’s Serenade” where you and your sweetheart can feast your ears on Tony Bohnenkamp and his band. Dinner is $200 per couple. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. For a more modest option, visit Salisbury House, 4025 Tonawanda Drive, to watch “Love Letters,” performed by the Repertory Theater of Iowa. The reception begins at 6:45 p.m. and the show at 7:30 p.m. Standard admission is $40.
Budget-friendly:
If you want top-class entertainment at a low price, Max Wellman is playing two concerts with his new trio at 7 and 9 p.m. Thursday in the Fourth Street Theater, 214 Fourth St. The two show times give some flexibility for dinner plans, whether you want to make it a late night or an early night. Wellman and the trio will play a mix of jazz standards and romantic favorites. $10.
Dinner
Splurge:
Cafe di Scala, 644 18th St., hosts a Feast of Saint Valentine dinner Feb. 14 for $50 per guest. The menu features four courses with Italian wedding meatball soup, a puree of carrot soup, smoked trout mousse crostini and tomato and zucchini ragu over basked polenta cakes for appetizers; a spinach, pine nuts, fig and ricotta salad, braised pork over cannellini, seared halibut over zucchini risotto and goat cheese ravioli for the main course; and flourless chocolate torte, tiramisu and chocolate panna cotta for dessert options. Call 244-1353 for reservations.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 150 S. Jordan Creek Parkway, spreads the Valentine’s love over four days, Feb. 14-17. The celebration menu is $69.95 per person and includes an heirloom tomato and housemade burrata for an appetizer, a citrus marinated salmon tartar amuse, a choice of roasted lobster tail or chateaubriand with crab glacage. An optional dessert of chocolate budino is available for $9.95. Every couple that purchases the celebration dinner gets a $25 gift card for another visit. Make reservations at flemingssteakhouse.com/locations/ia/west-des-moines.
Budget-friendly:
Think pizza doesn’t sound romantic? Wait until a heart-shaped pizza arrives at your table. Suddenly, you’re Casanova. Angelo’s Pizza, 20 E. 14th St. and 1310 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, will shape your pizza like a heart on Valentine’s Day, the perfect way to show your love for your significant other and for pizza. $16.99 for a large two-topping, $18.90 for a large specialty pizza.
Sometimes a romantic evening is more about the little touches. Baristas at Mars Cafe, 2318 University Ave., can add hearts and rosettes to the foam on your latte, creating a drinkable valentine for $3.85. Stick around for some less than $6 sandwiches and you’ll have a special evening without breaking the bank.
