Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and it is time to think about how you will show your love to your loves. What better way to show them love than with yummy food? We will explore some easy-to-prepare (or buy) treats, some recipes, and places to source your Valentine’s feast.
Recipes
Let’s begin with the recipes! Here are some vintage valentine’s day recipes. There are 70 recipes to explore. There are drinks, apps, sides, entrees, and desserts. Want to make an easy Coq au Vin? Or learn how to make a Paloma? It is there!
We also have 53 Southern Living recipes! Check here for some amazing recipes to round out your menu for your loves. These resources will give you ideas for the whole month of February!
Bonus content: How to Make a Heart Shape Cake! If you don’t have a heart-shaped cake pan for your Valentine’s treats, here is a great hack on how to make a heart-shaped cake.
Chocolatiers
First, let’s start with the chocolates. What is better than chocolate for Valentine’s Day? Nothing. Nothing is better. And we are so lucky in the Pacific Northwest to have some fantastic chocolatiers.
Creo Chocolate
These chocolatiers have stunning hand-crafted truffles. Try the Brown Butter Bar or some of the other bars. There are also sipping chocolates and even skin care products. Check them out!
Woodblock Chocolate
The Woodblock Chocolate manufactory has the smell of roasting cacao wafting out of their front door. Their chocolate-making process is on display in their retail shop, and they urge you to ask any questions that might be inspired by the chocolate-making machines. Get their assorted bars to taste their chocolate.
Bakeries
Now this category covers a lot of ground, from a scrumptious croissant, or a simple baguette, to some elaborate desserts. We have some amazing bakeries to try. This can provide your apps or your desserts, or both!
Baker and Spice
Creator, baker, and cookbook author Julie Richardson created Baker & Spice first as an early Portland Farmers Market stall, and now it is a brick-and-mortar store and has the Cakery. All of their products are delicious.
Jinju Patisserie
This one is a double dipper…a chocolatier, and a bakery! Jinju Patisserie has desserts and savory tarts. All of their desserts and pastries are created by our award-winning pastry chefs.
Little T Baker
Little T Baker is known for having the BEST croissants in Portland. It sounds like we need to do a taste test! Little T American Baker was founded by owner and head baker Tim Healea, Little T Baker is guided by four elements: “flour, science, hands, and heart.”
Butchers
If you and yours like to eat meat, here are a few wonderful options.
Meating Place
The Meating Place has a long history in the area. They are a butcher shop; they have a café and more. If you want raw dog food for your four-legged Valentines, they have it!
Gartner’s
This is a Portland tradition! If you haven’t gone to Gartner’s, please do! The sugar bacon would be a sweet way to start your Valentine’s morning. They have all sorts of meats for your whole Valentine’s menu plan.
Cheese Shops
Cowbell
We love cheese! Cheese is our love language.
Cowbell is an importer and distributor of specialty foods focusing on traditional European and American artisan cheese. Grab some for your Valentine’s meal.
Cheese & Crack Snack Shop
Cheese & Crack plates include housemade rustic butter crackers, housemade savory oatmeal cookies, baguettes, olives, cornichons, Dijon, honey, and chocolate ganache. This could be an app or a great treat during hearts day!
Produce Places
Yes, we love the chocolate, the bread, the meat, the cheese, BUT we also need fruits and veggies for our meals (and our life).
Rinella Produce
Rinella started in 1914. It remains family-owned and operated. Located in the heart of Portland, near Produce Row, we are in one of the oldest existing produce distribution buildings on the West Coast. This is a company that supplies all sorts of foods for restaurants, but they also sell to the public. So go here to take advantage of this great resource.
Pacific Coast Fruit Company
Pacific Coast Fruit Company has been around for a long time serving the Portland area, “providing the freshest produce from Farm to Family.” This is another restaurant supply company, but they also have options for us!
Order It!
If you aren’t into making a Valentine’s meal, Elephants Delicatessen has a Valentine’s menu you can check out here. Make life easier for yourself!
What are you planning for Valentine’s Day meal(s)? Whatever you choose, we hope this helps you decide how you will celebrate your sweeties!
Johanna is married with two kids, three dogs, three cats, one leopard gecko, several chickens, and a few fish. She has been in the Pacific Northwest since the dream was alive in the 90s but has Southern roots and hails from Arkansas. The family spends a lot of time at some sort of sporting event for the kids. Johanna likes to fast craft, garden, host parties, and bake. Johanna and her crew go hard traveling, DIY-ing, and are always up for a new adventure or challenge.