The series of snowstorms in the Boston area have hit local businesses hard, especially small Brookline independents that depend on foot traffic and street parking—both of which have been in short supply. With spotty “T” service, make it easy on yourself this year and stay local for Valentine’s Day. With the scenery already looking like a scene out of Dr. Zhivago, you’re halfway to romance already.
Show your love for your Valentine and support local Brookline businesses with these 6 Valentine’s Day specials and ideas.
- Let Clear Flour Bread take care of dessert. Planning to have a quiet dinner in? This year on Fri. 2/13 and Sat. 2/14 Clear Flour Bread, 178 Thorndike Street, is offering a selection of decadent cakes, tarts, cookies and Viennoiserie (puff pastry). Choose a salted caramel sesame tart, decorated sugar cookie hearts (pictured above), cream puffs or mocha éclairs.
- Say it with poetry from Brookline Booksmith. If you haven’t written a poem since high school, you probably want to leave the romantic verse to the experts, like e.e. cummings. Try E. E. Cummings Complete Poems, 1904-1962 and press a rose petal between the pages of a favorite love poem. While you’re at the Booksmith, pick up a card and wrapping paper in the Giftsmith.
- Buy a box of chocolates where even the box is edible. Local Brookline chocolatier Serenade in Brookline Village is offering a heart-shaped box made entirely of chocolate and filled with an assortment of individual truffles and bon bons. You can even personalize the top of the box with your own message.
- Have more courses. Fairsted Kitchen in Washington Square is offering a special Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu featuring duck terrine, seared bay scallops, osso buco, dessert and more, with option for a wine pairing. Reservations recommended. Italian gem La Morra in Brookline Village is also offering a 4 course prix fixe that includes your choice of antipasti, cavatelli with foraged mushrooms, sage, brown butter and black truffles, wood grilled bistecca fiorentina with sage semolina.
- Splurge on real champagne AND French cheese. Save the sparkling wine for another Saturday night and pop for the good stuff. Coolidge Corner Wine and Spirits offers a wide variety of fine wines, including bubbly. Brookline Fine Wine and Gourmet, an independent shop in Brookline Village, offers wine, beer, and a carefully curated selection of gourmet foods and cheese.
- Take a spin on the ice with your sweetie. Chances are she’ll be holding your arm tight (out of affection or to keep her balance) as you skate around Jack Kirrane Skating Rink at Larz Anderson Park. Open Fri. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Then head over to The
Washington Square Tavern, choose a cozy corner, and order a hot buttered rum to warm you up all the way down to your toes.
– Jennifer Campaniolo
