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A Valentine’s Day guide to Gig Harbor

Love it or hate it, it’s raining pink and red in the harbor. Valentine’s Day (Week!) has arrived.

Whether you want to Salsa with your sweetie, sip cosmos with the girls, or escape to a luxury yacht for a romantic night away, Gig Harbor has you covered.

Eats

Devoted Kiss Cafe has Valentine’s Day written all over it. The name and the view! (It’s located next to Anthony’s on Harborview Drive).

It’s one of the most popular spots in the South Sound. (Arrive early, since Devoted Kiss doesn’t take reservations.) But don’t let the rom-com cute name fool you. This is a great place for breakfast with your besties or lunch with your daughter.

Get there before 2 p.m., since it serves breakfast and lunch only. Try the “Vegan” with roasted vegetables, spinach, and potatoes sautéed and topped with avocado, micro greens, and chimichurri; or go old school with the scratch biscuits and gravy.

You know that age-old phrase ‘the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach’? According to scientists it’s true. But the new data shows that the same goes for women. And when polled, 3 in 5 said their mood improved with good food.

We didn’t need a study to tell us what we already knew after eating at Susanne’s Bakery. It makes us feel good because it is good.

The popular sweet spot at 3411 Harborview Drive is loaded with delicious treats. Boxed Valentine-themed cookies and cupcakes are packaged and ready to give. Cakes range from $30 to $85. Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake is one of their most popular.

Also, enjoy pies and pastries (cinnamon rolls go fast). The homemade biscotti and granola are fresh. The carrot spice muffin is wheat-free. Soups are homemade and the sandwiches are made with their own freshly baked bread (which you can buy). Healthy salads with tasty dressings cancel out the brownie for dessert. Susanne’s is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so call your order in or pick it up today.

Dining

Usually closed on Tuesdays, Brix 25° will open its doors with extended hours to celebrate the holiday. Chef/Owner Thad Lyman provides an intimate experience drawing from seasonal northwest cuisine. The sweetheart menu will include specials, handcrafted cocktails, and northwest wines.

The “Valentine’s Toast for Two” comes with four raw oysters on a half shell and two glasses of Domaine Ste Michelle at Anthony’s Gig Harbor. Specials range from steak and lobster to “Anthony’s trio” — charbroiled Mahi Mahi with macadamia nut butter, Dungeness Crab Cakes, and Crispy Coconut Prawns. Don’t forget dessert! Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle or White Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake? One of each, please. Sharing is romantic.

Vibe to the live jazz music of John Brake while you dine this weekend at Table 47. House-made gnocchi, slow-cooked short ribs, and rare seared albacore tuna are just a few of the options on the Chef’s special menu.

Looking for love? Back in Ancient Rome, strawberries were once considered the symbol of Venus, the goddess of love. Channel your inner Venus. Enjoy the special Strawberry Panna Cotta with chocolate cookie crumble for dessert. (Legend says that when two people split a double strawberry, they will fall in love.) Table 47 is closed on Valentine’s Day.

Dance

Let’s dance! Ollala Winery is offering a “Spicy Valentine’s Day” with salsa lessons and dinner. Salsa instructors Malo and Rose Castro will guide dinner guests through one of the most romantic dances in the world. It’s said that Salsa music is the music of the heart.

Drinks and goodies

New kid on the block, Kettle Fish, is teaming up with their neighbor Heritage Distilling in a special Valentine’s Day product giveaway. Heritage will hand out their popular canned cocktails at Kettle Fish, and Kettle Fish will offer yummy treats from their restaurant at Heritage Distilling’s Gig Harbor Tasting room. Special February cocktails: the Fluorescence Cosmo, a Cocoa-covered strawberry, and #Itstrending. $10 each.

Romantic boatride

Handsome and Italian. “Tomasso Sebastiano” is a  gondola imported from Venice now touring the waters of Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor Gondola offers 60 and 90-minute tours. Prices range from $90 to $120 for two people ($25 for each additional person, up to six). Weather dependent on Valentine’s Day. Bookings are available.

Need a romantic getaway? Why leave one of the prettiest harbors in the PNW? Sleep in luxury on one of the stunning local yachts/boats. Be in the heart of the harbor with a stay on the “Shamrockin”, tied up along a historic net shed and dock.  There’s also the 38’ wood-clad boat Gollywobbler.

Go vintage with a romantic rendezvous aboard the Lyla, a 53′ custom boat built in 1968. It’s renovated with sweeping views of the harbor from above deck. Kayaks are complimentary. And dogs are allowed (restrictions apply)

The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Heart — a lot of esteemed guests stayed on the 78′ classic Linmar.  and now you can too! For $873 per night, this five-bedroom, three and a half bath yacht can accommodate up to 12 people.

Couple’s retreat

Stay on land at the Gig Harbor Lighthouse Beach (house). For $1,200 a night, this seven-bedroom, nine-bed waterfront home is just steps from the Gig Harbor Lighthouse and has its own private sandy beach. Roast s’mores over the fire pit and sweat out the sweets in the sauna. Prepare meals in 2 (two!) kitchens. It’s casual luxurious elegance in the PNW.

Wine and beer

Beer, chocolate, and music. Pair a locally crafted beer with Gig Harbor Candy Company at 7 Seas Brewing. Special Valentine’s Day entertainment includes a performance by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Billy Stoops from 6 to 8 pm.

The Romeo and Juliet wall in Verona, Italy inspired this bottle of Prosecco available at For the Love of Spice, along with other gift options.

Shop fine wines and Valentine’s treats at Morso. Reservations are being taken through Feb.14. Specials to the full menu will be offered.

The Movies

Go see a movie on the BIG SCREEN.

Studies say that laughter may prevent heart disease. Keep the ticker ticking and go watch a comedy. Just in time for Galentine’s Day, the new Magic Mike is out. Too risqué, you say? Legends Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno, and Sally Field play four friends who take a wild trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Tom Brady.

Need a good cry? Titanic is back out on the big screen, celebrating its 25-year anniversary.

All too Valentine’s cliche? Make the heart jump a beat with the new thriller, Knock at the Cabin, by visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan.

No babysitter but you can’t handle one more second in your house with the kids? Take them to the 2023 Oscar-nominated animation, Puss in Boots the Last Wish.

Check out all the movies at The Galaxy Uptown Theater.

Stay in

Find love in a story. Romance novels are “one of the biggest growing genres in the whole industry,” says Invitation Bookshop Owner Allyson Howard. Because of the tropes, “there (is) some predictability with it. And I think that’s comforting to people,” Howard also features “Non-Romantic” and mystery novels in her bookshop. Purchase in-person or online. Pickup and delivery are available.

Flowers

Flowers have meaning. Roses for romance; Daffodil symbolize new beginnings, while Carnations represent admiration. Lavender says protection.

Whatever the meaning, beautiful flowers are available for your special someone:

• Metropolitan Market offers a full-service florist with roses, orchids, succulent gardens, begonias, tropical blooms, hydrangeas, tulips, and even black roses. Gifts, along with sweet and savory items available for a romantic dinner at home.
• Harbor Greens: Valentine’s selection with Bouquets, Prim Roses for $2, Potted Tulips and Hyacinths, 4-inch potted bulbs (3 for $12), mixed color (flower) bowls for $29.99, and plenty of assorted sweets like caramels, cookies, chocolate, and fresh fruits such as strawberries.
• Williams Flowers (locally owned) Luxurious, upscale flowers, plants, and gifts. Arrangements start at $129, but they will fit any budget. Delivery throughout the US.
• Rosedale Gardens full-service nursery and quaint gift shop. Just arrived this week: primroses, blooming carnations, Hellebores, Lenten rose, blooming bulbs, and Snowdrops (1st to bloom in spring). Gig Harbor delivery with a fee.

Jewelry

The Paper Luxe Galentines Brunch is SOLD OUT. But Fox Island artists from Endless Welded Jewelry will be on-hand to gently weld dainty bracelets onto your wrists or ankles this Valentine’s Day from 2 to 4 pm.  Welded-on jewelry is one of the latest fashion trends. It’s not just for lovebirds — it can symbolize friendships, and mother-daughter bonds.  Paper Luxe manager Genevieve Van Ginkel “did it in a city I love, Vancouver,” she said.

If you need a special Valentine’s card, this is the place. Gifts for your Galentine or Valentine are plentiful at Paper Luxe in Gig Harbor’s Uptown.

For local jewelers and spa services check out the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Valentine’s Day unplugged

One of the best things to do in Gig Harbor is to just go outside and take a walk. Whether it be a stroll around the harbor or walk along one of our beautiful beaches: Kopachuck , Sunrise, or Narrows, love is in the air in the great outdoors.

Steal a kiss at the old ferry landing or atop the stair climb (also a good choice on February 15th, post chocolate).

Valentine’s Day love could mean making a homemade valentine for a sick or elderly neighbor or volunteering at a local school. You could make a donation to your favorite charity.

Or maybe, just enjoy a long bath at the end of another long day, a nod to your heart. It’s still here, it’s still beating.

Mentioned in this story

Devoted Kiss Cafe

8809 North Harborview Drive No. 203. Open until 2 p..m on Valentine’s Day.

Contact: https://www.devotedkisscafe.com/ or (253) 851-0055

Susanne’s Bakery

3411 Harborview Drive; closed on Valentine’s Day

Contact: http://susannesbakery.net/ or 253-853-6220

Brix 25

3315 Harborview Drive. Open for Valentine’s Day, last reservation 8:45pm

Contact: https://www.harborbrix.com/ or 253-858-6626

Anthony’s at Gig Harbor

8827 North Harborview Drive

Contact: https://www.anthonys.com/restaurant/anthonys-at-gig-harbor/ or (253) 853-6353

Ollala Winery

13176 Olalla Valley Road SE

Contact: https://www.olallawines.com/ or 253-851-4949

Kettle Fish

7806 Pioneer Way

Contact: https://kettlefish.com/ or (360) 692-9611

Heritage Distilling

3118 Harborview Dr

Contact: https://heritagedistilling.com/pages/waterfront or 253-300-5179 or 253-514-8120

Gig Harbor Gondola

Contact: https://gigharborgondola.com/, (253) 432-0052 or [email protected]

7 Seas Brewing

3207 57th St Ct.

Contact: https://www.7seasbrewing.com/, (253) 514-8129

For the Love of Spice

3104 Harborview Drive

Contact: https://www.loveofspice.com/ or (253) 858-0272

Morso

9014 Peacock Hill Ave.

Contact: https://www.morsobistro.com/ or 253-225-7807 or [email protected]

Invitation Bookshop

5125 Olympic Drive, Ste 104

Contact: https://www.invitationbookshop.com/ or 253-432-4566

Galaxy Theatres Uptown

4649 Point Fosdick Dr.

Contact: https://www.galaxytheatres.com/movie-theater/gigharbor or 888-407-9874

Metropolitan Market

5010 Point Fosdick Dr.

Contact: https://metropolitan-market.com/locations/gig-harbor/ or (253) 858-4842

Harbor Greens

5225 Olympic Drive

Contact: https://harborgreensmarket.com/ or (253) 851-7911

Williams Flower & Gift

7706 Pioneer Way

Contact: https://www.williamsflowers.com/gig-harbor-wa-florists/ or 253-851-7673

Rosedale Gardens

7311 Rosedale Street NW

Contact: http://www.rosedalegardens.com/ or (253) 851-7333

Paper Luxe Stationary & Gift

4729 Point Fosdick Dr., Suite 300

Contact: https://paper-luxe.com/ or (253) 900-2132

Table 47

5268 Point Fosdick Drive, closed on Valentine’s Day

Contact: https://www.t47.com/ or (253) 857-4777