Ready to impress your Valentine?

7 Tampa Bay Valentine’s spots

Warning: there is a chance your partner will leave you for this steak. | Photo by @salymarrooftop

Tampa Bay might just be the most romantic place to celebrate Valentine’s Day, between the idyllic views, world-class restaurants, and of course, the balmy February temps.

It’s time to make those reservations. Here’s a few special suggestions for you and your boo:

Still haven’t checked out the glitzy Tampa Edition? One of the boutique hotel’s signature restaurants, Lilac, is offering a prixe fix menu from Friday, Feb. 10-Tuesday, Feb. 14, for $175 per person. Pro tip: arrive early for a rooftop drink at Azure or a round of pool in the lobby.
Central Avenue’s Italy Bottega is serving up heart-shaped, lobster-stuffed ravioli just for the holiday.
Make the most of the 70 and 80 degree weather with an elegant meal at Sal Y Mar. The rooftop bar overlooks the downtown skyline and is offering a $250 sumptuous three-course dinner for two. Highlights include seared sea scallops with chorizo honey butter and Chilean sea bass.
Treat your beloved seafood fanatic to a rare Tuesday night out at the Columbia. The iconic Tampa spot’s Valentine’s menu includes Gulf oysters and olive oil pound cake.
Prefer to cook your own five-star meal? Spend what you would pay for a meal out on a couple’s pottery class at You Do the Dishes. Make a reservation for V-day at the Tampa studio and your partner will have their fee waived.
Gulfport’s beloved Pia’s Trattoria offers solid entrees like chicken piccata and fresh fish specials, ample desserts like sour orange pie or tiramisu, and that elusive ambiance with dripping candles and a greenery-coated patio.
And there’s an option for those who don’t want to leave Fido at home. St. Pete’s Dog Bar is hosting a Valentine’s date night complete with filet mignon, live music, and chocolate cake.

*These spots will book up, call today.

Is there another spot we should add to our list? Let us know.

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Today, Feb. 8

Pilates on the Pier | Wednesday, Feb. 8 | 6-7 p.m. | Family Park, 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg | Free | Bring a mat, towel, and a water bottle, and get ready to sweat.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Florida State Fair | Thursday, Feb. 9-Monday, Feb. 20 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Florida State Fair, 4800 US Hwy. 301 N., Tampa | $6-$50 | Check out the tallest Midway in the US, circus, and more.
2023 South Tampa Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Gala | Thursday, Feb. 9-Friday, Feb. 10 | 5-8 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Dr., Tampa | $95 | Network with neighbors and other Tampa residents.
Chief’s Creole Cafe Porch Party | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 5-8 p.m. | 901 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg | $22 | Owners of Chief’s Creole Café Elihu and Carolyn Brayboy share about their work to revitalize the neighborhood.
Lightning vs. Avalanche | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $46.25-$850 | Watch as the Lightning take on the boys from Colorado.

Friday, Feb. 10

Savor the Bay | Friday, Feb. 10 | 1-3 p.m. | RumFish Grill, 6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach | $150 | The four-course lionfish and seafood lunch and bar pairing benefits Tampa Bay Watch.
Music in the Park | Friday, Feb. 10, Friday, Feb. 17, Friday, Feb. 24 | 5-7 p.m. | Hyde Park Village, 1602 W. Swann Ave., Tampa | Free | Stop by the Village Circle to enjoy some live performances.

Saturday, Feb. 11

UNCF Tampa Bay Area Black History Month Walk for Education | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Perry Harvey, Sr. Park, 1201 N. Orange St., Tampa | $35 | Learn about leaders who shaped the historic district on this guided walk.
Palm Sunday Pop-Up | Saturday, Feb. 11-Sunday, Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa | Free | Shop handmade, Italian-inspired jewels from local maker Palm Sunday.
Bark in the Park | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, 600 N. Ashley Dr., Tampa | Free | Stop by to adopt a pup or browse the market and bring Fido for doggy-friendly activities.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

84º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:12 a.m.
Set: 6:15 p.m.

Tides
Old Tampa Bay

High: 3:42 a.m. + 4:58 p.m.
Low: 10:42 a.m. + 10:24 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:20 a.m. + 1:22 p.m.
Low: 7:08 a.m. + 6:55 p.m.

Development

Construction will soon begin on Gas Worx, Darryl Shaw’s 50-acre, city-connecting development. Work on the residences, retail space, and more kicks off March 6. Read more about the development online. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
The Cordova Inn is set to more than double its footprint in Downtown St. Pete. Owners of the historic hotel just received a $20 million loan for the upcoming expansion onto the next-door lot. Plans include a zen garden, 62 rooms, and a rooftop bar. 🏨 (St. Pete Catalyst)

Opening

Bring on the wood-fired pizza, baby. Violet Stone, a popular St. Pete food truck, is opening a pizza shop in Kenwood. Customers should be able to stop by 2134 9th Avenue North for burrata-drenched za, sandwiches, and more starting in March. 🍕 (I Love the Burg)
Welcome to the Village. Adnoraf, a members-only supper + social club, is set to open next month. Located right on West Snow Circle, the two-story club will offer bougie dishes and drinks, IV therapy, and more. Apply for membership. (That’s So Tampa)

History

Earlier this week, we told you demolition began on some Downtown Tampa real estate. The plot will soon become the ONE Tampa, a 42-story tower. Tampa Bay Times reporter Paul Guzzo delves into the history of the now-flattened Tampa buildings. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

It’s time to party under the sea-style. Both the Florida Aquarium and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium are in the running for best Best Aquarium in America. Vote in the USA Today 10Best competition online in the next 25 days. 🐙 (That’s So Tampa)

Eat

There’s nothing fishy about this deal. Pick up select sushi for $5 today (and every Wednesday) at Publix GreenWise Market. 🍱 *

Wellness

Not feeling like yourself lately? Talkspace makes getting help easy and convenient. With live chat, video, and audio sessions, starting at $69/week, it’s affordable for everyone to fit therapy into their lifestyle, with or without insurance. Start feeling better today with Talkspace.*

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Ready the floats

2023 Knight Parade preview

The Krewe aims to preserve and celebrate Tampa’s Latin heritage. | Photo by Krewe of The Knights of Sant’ Yago

The bye-week is gone, and it’s time to hit the streets for another party, Tampanians. This Saturday, Feb. 11, is the 50th Knights of Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, Ybor City’s signature illuminated parade. The parade starts at 7 p.m., but we (and organizers) suggest pullin’ on the festive garb a little early and heading over to the area for dinner, drinks, or just plain ol’ people watchin’.

Here’s a few tips for our favorite revelers:

Bleacher seats run for $30. Book online.
If you’re driving over, beware of road closures. Ybor City’s Seventh Avenue will close at 2 p.m., and cross streets will close at 6:30 p.m.
The parade lasts until 9 p.m. Make plans to get home safely — book an Uber ride in advance, or ask a friend or family member to pick you up (now, not Friday).
Follow the Krewe on Instagram for day-of updates and content.
Skip the crowds and host a watch party at home. Tampanians can stream the parade online.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Bailey.

Editor’s pick: I want to know him. Read this profile of Sam Chambers, Asher’s uber cool concierge.

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Editorial: Brad Haft, Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Emily Shea, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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