How to spend your Valentine’s Day
From pinot to painting, we’ve rounded up our picks on how to impress your date, with a hand from these local businesses who are proving romance isn’t dead.
Published 2 January 2022
Written by Nicola Clark
Photography: Morgan Smith
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and there’s plenty happening downtown for you and your significant other to enjoy. Whether a night out on the town or a quiet night in is more your speed, Toowoomba businesses have got you covered.
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WINE AND DINE TO IMPRESS
You don’t need to be a whiz in the kitchen to sweep your date off their feet: chefs across town are here to win their way into your hearts, through the stomach of course. Make a booking and let these restaurants serve as the perfect first or thousandth date.
Zev's Bistro
This inner-city venue, which was recently awarded a Chef’s Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide, will be treating couples to a five-course experience, where each gourmet dish will be expertly paired with a glass of wine. Start the night with Tassie oysters and end with a delicious dessert.
Encores
Dine at the Empire Theatre’s elegant venue and enjoy a stream of chef-made dishes such as confit salmon, wagyu rump or chocolate panna cotta. With historic surroundings and a contemporary dining experience on offer, Encores will make for a great dinner date for you and your partner (or your fellow single friends going out in solidarity).
George Banks Rooftop
With arguably one of the best views in the city, George Banks invites you to take it all in with a romantic dinner on the rooftop. For $79 per person, they’ll be serving three courses plus a glass of sparkling on arrival. Choose from either the 5.30pm sunset seating or 7.30pm evening seating.
Ortem
Choose from a two- or three-course dinner, made with love and served with Ortem flair. Mains include duck breast or slow-cooked lamb, while for dessert you’ll have the choice of cheesecake, chocolate tart, or a crème brulee – which calls for picking any two and swapping bites with your date. There’ll also be specialty themed cocktails on offer.
Santé Cocktail Bar
Grab a taste of Santé to enjoy at home. The bar is offering their menu of modern cocktails for takeaway, including some specialty themed drinks, such as ‘Indulgence’, a mix of gin, raspberry, pistachio, condensed milk and vanilla, shaken and packaged for you to cheers to. Order ahead via email so you don’t miss out.
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GIFT LOCAL
Maybe you aren’t heading out, but here are some ideas of gifts to pick up on your way home.
Ruby Lane Flower Co’s Bouquets and Gift Boxes
Is there anything more romantic than flowers? Surprise your significant other with a colourful bouquet made by the talented florists at Ruby Lane. Bouquets come in a small or large size, plus you can add on extra gifts such as Loco Love chocolate or Mr Consistent cocktail mixers. They’re also offering gift boxes that take the guesswork out for you, filled with a handmade vase and gifts. But do keep in mind, you’ll have to preorder!
Lil’ Boxes of Joy Valentine’s Day Box
Perfect for the love that’s toughing it out in quarantine or just to show you’re thinking of them, you can send a Lil’ Box of Joy straight to your Valentine’s door. Choose from the Valentine’s box or from one of several boxes filled with confectionary, self-care goodies, and even socks. Order through DoorDash and get same-day delivery.
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SPEND QUALITY TIME
The Sip Studio – Paint Your Partner
Get your Picasso on at The Sip Studio and paint a portrait of your significant other. Your ticket for this event, being held on Sunday 13th February, includes all art materials, your work of art to take home and a step-by-step lesson taught by one of the Studio’s resident artists. BYO your favourite alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage, and it’s a date.
City Cave Float and Sauna
Are you looking for a unique Valentine’s Day activity that goes beyond dinner and a movie? Try ‘flauna’: that’s float therapy and infrared sauna. According to City Cave, floating with your partner brings a new level of intimacy and can increase emotional connection. Relax, let your guard down, and open up with this one-of-a-kind experience.
Pop Up Picnics
Grab your partner or make it Galentine’s Day and enjoy a boutique picnic in the park. They’ll set up and pack down the gorgeous setting, and you can add grazing platters, balloon garlands, or even a swing. Get in quick to secure a time slot.
Take a hike
If you and your partner bond over fitness (you do you, people), then doing an old favourite or tackling a new challenging hike could be the way to go. Pack some snacks and climb Tabletop Mountain just in time to catch the sunrise over a picnic.
Have you got an event or business we should know about? Let us know and we’ll add them to the list!
