By Glen Richardson
If love conquers all, can it overcome the coronavirus as Valentine’s Day 2021 approaches? The pandemic hit last year just weeks following Valentine’s day, making this year’s celebrating somewhat of a dilemma. Hopeless romantics, love is what people breathe here, so they are approaching the day with cautious optimism hoping tender hearts won’t be broken.
Notwithstanding vaccination availability plus reopening of dine-in service and easing of other restrictions, there is still uncertainty that the end is in sight. The number and variety of choices have noticeably narrowed.
As February 14 looms, Denver is ranked the nation’s 14th best city to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The Chronicle, acting as Cupid-in-Chief, identifies how to live life and celebrate love in this uncertain year:
Candy Man Can
Sweet Attraction: Candy from top shops will please your sweetheart’s palette. Stargazer Fine Chocolates’ chocolatier creates truffles, chocolate bars, nut & fruit filled bark to love.
Enstrom Candies, 201 University Blvd., 303-322-1005. For four generations the Enstrom family of Grand Junction has crafted their Almond Toffee by hand. The perfect gift of taste to delight your connoisseur lover.
Hammond’s Candy Factory, 5735 Washington St., 888-226-3999. A Denver fine candy manufacturer for nearly 100 years. Known for their art candy, candy canes, chocolate bars, hard candy, lollipops and kosher candy.
Lolli & Pops on lower level of the Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 303-390-5701. Store with large selection of gourmet candy, chocolate treats, and gifts. Choose from Belgian chocolate, caramels, truffles, and more.
Stargazer Fine Chocolates in the Colorado Plaza, 700 Colorado Blvd., 303-394-4000. Chocolatier at family-owned shop creates sweets to delight your eyes, please your palette. Choose from truffles, chocolate bars, nut and f
Recipe For Love: Dining out has always been a recipe for love. Mizuna on E. 7th Ave. is featuring a nine-course Valentine meal Feb. 13 & 14 with dine-in or outdoor seating.
ruit filled bark.
Culinary Crush
Carmine’s On Penn, 92 S. Pennsylvania St., 303-777-6643. Family-style Italian eatery known for its hefty portions is serving a Valentine’s “share a special dinner.” Popular eatery is in an unpretentious stucco setting.
Coohill’s, 1400 Wewatta St., 303-623-5700. Chef Tom Coohill is opening his French-influenced eatery adjacent to the Pepsi Center with a Creekside patio for a special Valentine’s Weekend, Feb. 12, 13 and 14th.
Mizuna, 225 E. 7th Ave., 303-832-5778. Frank Bonanno’s flagship restaurant is celebrating V Day with a nine-course meal with dine-in and outdoor seating, Feb. 13 & 14. Rooted in French cooking, first course is Roses and Champagne.
Tamayo, 1400 Larimer St., 720-946-1433. Modern Mexican eatery in Larimer Square is offering a three-course menu for both dine-in and to-go from Feb. 12 through 14. Dine-in dinner includes complimentary champagne toast.
The Lockwood, 1450 Glenarm Pl., 720-269-3246. Rustic yet modern eatery in the Crowne Plaza downtown is offering a “special paired menu” for Valentine’s Day. Regular menu is also available at eatery serving New American fare.
Additional V Day Choices: Restaurant listings are as of mid-January. Since city-state recently initiated dine-in service subsequent announcements are likely from eateries.
Flower Power
Bloom, 300 University Boulevard, 720-941-2862. An independent flower boutique offering contemporary to traditional designs. Stunning cutting-edge arrangements feature a combination of traditional European and modern styles.
Bouquets, 321 17th St. 303-333-5500. Long admired for his floral artistry, BJ Dyer has relocated in the iconic Brown Palace Hotel. His beautiful arrangements make unique gifts for your Valentine, or for an upcoming weddings.
Flower Power, 2027 E. Virginia Ave., 303-777-6266. Specializing in European floral design, the Wash Park floral boutique’s handcrafted arrangements use fresh, seasonal flowers.
Newberry Brothers Florist, 5301 Leetsdale Dr., 303-322-0443. Floral shop creates bouquets to inspire, celebrate and bring people together. Imaginative flowers and plants that make a wonderful gift for that special someone.
Perfect Petal, 3600 W. 32nd Ave. & 1850 Wazee St. Whether you’re a traditionalist who wants to present your partner with roses or an out-of-the-box thinker choosing an elegant orchid arrangement, you can find it at Perfect Petal’s two locations.
Entertaining Love
Celestial Chaos, Exdo Event Center,
Snoopy Sensation: Snoopy and Charlie Brown’s romantic blunders have stolen the hearts of romantics for decades. The TV special A Charlie Brown Valentine has aired for 40 years.
Feb. 4-28. In a time of challenge and separation, this four ring theatrical circus creates artistry that is magical, offering audiences connection, inspiration and hope.
Inspired by Greek mythology, show is filled with aerial dance, acrobatics and juggling, plus cyr wheel performances and Chinese pole dance. Production tells the story of three gods of balance who think they can do a better job than the creators of Earth. Spectators will enjoy contemporary dance, theater, plus live music.
Production combines the talents and expertise of theatrical circus artists with the artistry and creativity of the immersive and visual arts. Celestial Chaos features more than 100 circus performers, actors and musicians. Information: Rainbowmilitia ariel.com.
Stevie Nicks Concert Screening, Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum Feb. 5, shows 6 and 10 p.m. Recorded over two nights during her sold-out 24 Karat Gold Tour, the film fea
Romantic Tune-up: Celebrate with your sweetie during the Stevie Nicks Concert Screening at Wings Over The Rockies, Feb. 5. Film features her sold-out 24 Karat Gold Tour.
tures a set-list of fan favorites and rare gems.
Considered one of the most important female voices in rock music, Nicks has had six Top Ten albums, eight Grammy nominations and is the first woman to be twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019.
The film highlights Stevie’s intuitive and intimate storytelling abilities, captivating audiences with personal stories behind some of the most famous songs in music history. Event is a fundraiser for Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum and The Lowry Foundation. Information: 303-360-5360.
Lovey-Dovey Doings
Cooking With Cupid @ Cook Street, 43 W. 9th Ave., 303-308-9300. Join Chefs at Cook Street School of Culinary Arts for luxe celebration with your special someone, Feb. 11, 12 & 13, 6-9:30 p.m., Feb. 14, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
D Bar Denver, 494 E. 19th Ave., 303-861-4710. The D stands for drinks, dining and desserts. Perfect date night spot on Valentine’s Day or any day with your lover and friends to enjoy comfort food and award-winning desserts.
Horse & Carriage Ride, along the 16th St. Mall, 720-470-9383. Enjoy a romantic evening snuggled in an Irish Rose Cinderella carriage drawn by draft horses. Choose from Mini to Grand Rides to see city sights and lights.
Valentines Bazaar, 4970 E. Colfax Ave., 720-535-8284. Love Bazaar with eight local vendors and music. Shop, listen to music during weekend extravaganza at GVM Studios, Feb. 6 & 7, noon-6 p.m.