The Loving Procrastinator’s Guide to Valentine’s Day
Nicole Estabrooks, MBFT Manager & Tour Leader
As Cupid’s shadow looms over this week, poor, well-intentioned procrastinators have been awakened with a gripped panic as Valentine’s Day draws nearer. We see you, we hear you, and we have compiled an assortment of last minute ways to make your Valentine’s Day special!
Miss Lippe’s Dumpling Party
Image from misslippes.com
Shortly after moving to Monterey, Emily Lippe has already established a delightful and delicious presence in the small business community! Apart from her upcoming pop up Dumpling Party at Franklin Street Collaborative this Saturday, February 13, you are also able to purchase at-home dumpling kits and book virtual Dumpling Parties to spice up your Valentine’s Day from the comfort and safety of your home!
Book your Miss Lippe's Dumpling Party or order your kit!
Virtual Tastings with Comanche Cellars
Winemaker Michael Simons has been hard at work bottling all new reds from 2018 to share with wine lovers everywhere! Now you can taste them without ever leaving home, but while still receiving the award winning customer service from their employees and the winemaker himself! Each tasting comes with five wines in conveniently half sized bottles, adorable tasting note templates that break down each wine, and a Comanche Cellars tasting room associate to walk you through the tasting and tell the stories of Michael, Comanche, and the delectable vino!
Sign up for your virtual tasting!
Or email Christina to set up a private tasting at christina@comanchecellars.com
Photo credit @comanchecellars
Pour Girl Virtual Mixology Class
Photo credit @pourgirl
Be your own fancy bartender when you book virtual mixology classes through Pour Girl Bartending. They are also offering an adorable Valentine’s Day Kit that includes a cheese and charcuterie board from Little Luna, Barefoot Florals arrangement and champagne cocktails. On February 13th, Galentine’s Day also gets a chance to shine at their pop up at Barefoot Floral from 11-4pm!
Buy your tickets to Pour Girl Galentine's Day pop up!
Book your virtual mixology class!
Charcuterie Heaven
If you want to indulge in delicious and aesthetically pleasing charcuterie boards, you can order them from several local businesses in Monterey! Little Luna Cheese Boards is partnered with Pour Girl and Barefoot Florals, featured in their Valentine’s Day kit and at the Galentine’s Day pop up. You can also order the beautiful sweet and savory cheese boards separately. Tables of Plenty is another blossoming small business creating eye-catching spreads of tasty treats!
To order from Little Luna Cheese Boards, email littlelunacheeseboards@gmail.com
To order from Tables of Plenty, message them on their Instagram page @tablesofplenty
Photo credit @littlelunacheeseboards
Pre-Ordered Takeout
Photo credit @altabakery
Save yourself from cooking an intricate Valentine’s Day dinner for your loved ones and support your favorite local businesses at the same time!
Alta Bakery is offering a luscious multi-course spread for two, with a light and flavorful salad, beef wellington for the main course, chocolate pot de creme for a rich finish, as well as banana bread for the morning after!
For the meat lovers out there, Baker’s Bacon is showcasing multiple mouthwatering Valentine’s Day boxes to choose from!
Ad Astra Bread Co. is flaunting their enticing selection of sweets and pastries for their pre-order menu, everything from banana cream trifle, to tea cakes, to heart shaped pretzels!
There are countless other bakeries, restaurants and coffee shops offering amazing deals, support your favorite places and avoid the Valentine’s Day crowds by pre-ordering take out!
Support Local Artists for your gifts this year!
The arts community has suffered greatly during this pandemic. Look to your local jewelry makers, musicians, artists as an amazing way to give meaningful gifts and support hard working artists striving to express creativity during a time when we need it the most!
Photo credit @venturegallery
Photo credit @theshopmonterey
And of course, our Monterey Bay Food Tours Marketplace!
Valentine’s Day Box from MBFT Marketplace
We are also offering special Valentine’s Day gift boxes on our online store! Forever supporting your favorite local businesses, our Vday Boxes have all the best goodies to ship in and out of state, including delivery for local orders. And now that the Shelter in Place has been lifted, our food tours are back with gusto! You can book tours now or buy gift certificates for future visits to Monterey!
Visit our online store to order your Valentine's Day gift box!
Old Monterey Walking Food Tour
Procrastinators everywhere, take a deep breath, now you have options and still a little time! Above all else, we hope that you are able to cherish your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, virtually or in person!
Happy Valentine’s Day, from Monterey Bay Food Tours!
Photo credit @bakersbacon