WHAT’S ON THIS VALENTINE’S DAY IN SYDNEY

This Valentine’s Day there is plenty to treat your other half to, or yourself!

Here is a comprehensive list for you to have a glance at, to give you inspiration for the day of love!

Valentine’s Day at Arras

At this stunning restaurant nestled in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, it’s the perfect choice for an inner city splash out. Think amazing food, stunning intimate interior and LOTS of brownie points! There’s a five course menu and an eight course degustation to choose from.

Bucket List Bondi

“Come in to The Bucket List and break bread with your Valentine on February 14!” – The lovely guys at Bucket List: Bondi ‘s beach-front trendy eatery, have baked a special heart shaped loaf.

Top chef Tom has created a platter that he calls -‘Love to Share’. It promises to be amazing and has a bit of an aphrodisiac theme  -rock oysters, tartare of salmon served with avocado crème, fresh figs , almonds, pomegranate and zucchini flowers … which will be sure to get you in the mood! at $40 it is incredible value.

Valentine’s Day with the Keystone Group

GAZEBO WINE GARDEN

The Scoot N Root

Glass of Madam Coco rosé, 1 x red stemmed rose, shared platter of aphrodisiacs to start and a main course – $55 per person

Glass of Taittinger, 1 x red stemmed rose, shared platter of aphrodisiacs to start, a main course and dessert – $99 per person

*Have dinner with us then head then over to Darlinghurst Theatre to see Torch Song Trilogy. If we book for you – we can get you a concession rate to the play for $35!*

THE WINERY

Fall in love at The Winery

Indulge in a desert tasting plate for two for $26 which can be ordered on the night.

MANLY WINE

Surf, Wine and Love at Manly

A delicious dinner, decadent desserts and a wine list to swoon over! We also have a rose, chocolate and glass of bubbles for $15 to make your dinner that little bit extra special.

NEWTOWN HOTEL – THE ANIMAL

Get animalistic this Valentine’s Day

Enjoy bubbles on arrival, a flower for your valentine and a feast for 2 from our Greek Eatery – $55 per person

AND if you are flying solo this Valentine’s day…

 Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ

Who needs boys anyway?

$35 Banquet menu including cocktails on arrival.

MCA Café’s “Sounds on the Terrace”

At the MCA Café in the Rocks, guests can soak up free live music and spectacular views from Circular Quay to the Harbour Bridge at the Café’s Sculpture Terrace where Sounds on the Terrace takes place.  This is the perfect spot to start your Valentine’s evening with pre-dinner drinks before your dinner reservation nearby. Or you can make a night of it in the relaxed ambience, sipping champagne and enjoying shared plates with friends and loved ones. New Sydney-based act, Recall will feature music composed by Daniel OʼLeary on the night.

MCA Cafe & Sculpture Terrace

The MCA Café and Sculpture Terrace is located on Level Four of the Museum of Contemporary Art. The understated but luxurious finishes of the Sculpture Terrace provide a sleek contemporary backdrop to suit any occasion. Open to the public as well as Museum visitors, the café has a contemporary atmosphere in which to enjoy lunch, morning or afternoon tea, or simply to drop in for a coffee. The seasonal and sustainable menu changes daily, to utilise fresh, local produce.

Date: Thursday 14 February 2013
Time: 05.30 PM – 09.00 PM
Location: MCA Sculpture Terrace, Level 4 Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George St, The Rocks
Cost: Free
More Info: http://www.mca.com.au/events/sounds-terrace-14-feb/5822/

Vaucluse House Tea Rooms

 

At the Eastern Suburbs’ historic Vaucluse House Tearooms, Fresh Catering will present an exclusive dining event featuring live entertainment for couples celebrating Valentine’s Day, Thursday February 14^th.  The Tearooms are situated within the grounds of the Vaucluse House Estate.

Guests will be treated to a sumptuous three course dinner prepared by award-winning caterer, Fresh Catering, together with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival.  With bookings available after 6pm, the price for each guest is $65. Live harp music will feature throughout the night, filling the room with a touch old school romance.

Celebrate Valentines at The Star Casino

The Darling

This February, The Darling hotel will be running its special ‘Be My Darling’ package including an overnight stay, romantic breakfast for two in your room and two cocktails at Cherry bar.  For those seeking extra relaxation, it’s possible to upgrade your booking to a Jewel Suite for an additional $250 that entitles guests to a couple’s massage to the value of $350.

(Be My Darling $399; Jewel Suite Upgrade $250; to book quote “BEMYDARLING”; available Sunday-Thursday February 2013; 1800 800 830;www.thedarling.com.au)

Spa

In celebration of the month of love, The Spa at The Darling is offering two exclusive pamper sessions for both men and women – The Romeo and The Juliet.  For the guys, what’s not to love about an invigorating sports massage, followed by a relaxing scalp massage and a refreshing beer afterwards as part of the treatment? The Juliet includes an express facial, back, neck and shoulder massage, the short and sweet pedi and an indulgent glass of champagne at the end.

(The Romeo – 1hr 15 $200; The Juliet – 1hr 30 $200; available February 2013; 1800 800 830; www.thedarling.com.au)

Sokyo

The contemporary Japanese restaurant will be serving an indulgent eight course menu, created by renowned chef Chase Kojima, including some of the restaurant’s most famed dishes such as its signature sushi and Abalone Tempura. Chef Kojima brilliantly fuses traditional Japanese culinary craftsmanship with modern Australian flavour.

($120 per person; bookings required; www.star.com.au/sokyo

 

BLACK by ezard

Award winning chef, Teague Ezard, has put together a seven course degustation menu for Valentine’s Day showcasing what makes BLACK by ezard one of Sydney’s top restaurants. From a delicate sashimi through to a luxuriant wagyu rump, the menu features the perfect balance of Australian and Asian flavours.

($130 per person, matching wines $70 per adult; bookings required; www.star.com.au/black)

Balla

Stefano Manfredi brings the best of romantic Italy to your table at Balla this Valentine’s Day with a four course set menu beginning with an antipasti feast, followed by a choice of fresh pasta, a main course of either wood grilled John Dory or veal tenderloin, finishing off with a delicious Italian dessert.

($125 per person; bookings required; www.star.com.au/balla)

 Cherry

With its stunning harbour views, Cherry bar is the perfect setting for a stylish pre-dinner tipple to begin your evening.  Choose from a host of impeccably made cocktails, made with only the finest ingredients, including fruity Bellinis, aromatic Mojitos and robust scotch based drinks.

(www.star.com.au/cherry)

Rock Lily: Thursday 14^th February

It’s rockabilly night at The Star’s live music venue this Valentine’s Day with a dance competition open to everyone! Strut your stuff on the dance floor to Australia’s best live swing acts for the chance to win prizes galore.

7:30pm-9:30pm – Aston Martinis

10:00pm – 11:30pm – Jordan C Thomas

(Entry is complimentary and no bookings are required. With a limited capacity, Rock Lily operates on a first in best dressed basis;www.star.com.au/rocklily)

 24/7 Sports Bar Thursday 14^th February

It’s set to be an unforgettable Valentine’s Day for cricket lovers this year as Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and Brad Hadden make an appearance at the 24/7 Sports Bar.  There’ll be a chance to get the players’ autographs, listen to a short Q&A and enter a competition to win a framed signed bat by the Australian Cricket team.

(Entry is complimentary and no bookings are required. With a limited capacity, 24/7 Sports Bar operates on a first in, best dressed basis)

For bookings, more information or enquiries, visit www.star.com.au or call 1800 700 700.

So as you can see there is PLENTY to choose from! Hope you have a simply wonderful day and celebrate it with those that mean the most to you!

Happy Valentine’s Day Sydney!

I’m sure by now you all get that I find the ‘help’ and ‘advice’ features via online outlets quite humorous, there have been a few posts of late that have included my ‘take’ on them. Well my dear blogger friends, Valentine’s Day is absolutely no exception!

This little outtake is from the guys at Ninemsn Health and Wellbeing, it contains a list of Valentine’s Day ‘Dos and Don’ts’ – Let’s see how they fare hey?!

Don’t assume your partner shares your feelings about Valentine’s Day

It’s no secret that some people love Valentine’s Day while others view it simply as a day designed to con us out of our hard-earned cash. If this is your first Valentine’s Day with your partner, it is important to find out which side they fall on. Different things are important to different people and, while your partner not being overly excited about this occasion is no indication of their feelings towards you, it may be helpful to discuss your hopes and plans for Valentine’s Day in advance so as to avoid disappointment and, if necessary, reach a happy compromise.

–          I can’t help but think that the people that don’t like Valentine’s are the ones who are either alone, or their partner doesn’t so they’ll convince themselves that they don’t either. Hey I’m not judging here, I was a bitter cynic this time last year, see here. I do tend to agree however, that there is absolutely no harm in celebrating love – whether it’s the love for your partner, your parents, your best friend or your pet dog. It’s the day of love – what is wrong with that?!

Don’t forget the date!

No matter whether Valentine’s Day scores high on your list of favourite dates or not, if it is important to the person you care about then you should do your best not to forget it.

Not only will forgetting about Valentine’s Day potentially upset and hurt your partner, but you may find that they bring it up every February 14 for years to come!

To stay in your partner’s good books, set yourself a reminder of the day and make sure to keep the evening free.

–          If one of you forgets, it’s not the end of the world – there are bigger things to be concerned about – I’m going to be doing a post soon about ‘The Rules’ and how they’re completely out of date, one of them implies that you should ‘stop dating a guy if he doesn’t buy you romantic gifts… hmmm if you’re thinking about ending it with a potential partner because of this, I think there’s a lot more wrong with the relationship to begin with that you’re not letting on!

Don’t get too swept up in the romance

On arguably the most romantic day of the year it is easy to get swept up in the romance and say or do things you normally wouldn’t.

Shopping for a pair of earrings can easily turn into a spontaneous engagement ring purchase, or a romantic dinner could lead to an impromptu declaration of love. However, it’s important to make sure you are really sure before you change the dynamics of your relationship and that you haven’t just got carried away with the romance.

–          I don’t know that guys this article is aimed at, but I’m pretty sure that a guy isn’t going to accidently buy is GF an engagement ring, for goodness sake, give people a little bit of credit!

Don’t get in contact with your ex

Romance is in the air, everybody is seemingly coupled up, so, for all you single guys and girls, it is perfectly understandable that your mind may drift to love. However, although the temptation may be strong to get in touch with your ex (or that guy you’ve been unrequitedly lusting after), don’t do it! No matter how lonely you are this Valentine’s Day, we can guarantee that setting yourself up for rejection and heartache will not make your experience more enjoyable.
Instead, spend your valuable time and conversation on someone who will appreciate it, such as a family member or friend.

–          I absolutely agree that you should spend your time with someone that you love and that loves you. This is not the time to attempt to recycle old romances, if they aren’t getting in contact when it’s not Valentine’s Day, there’s a reason! If they do choose to see you after a text from you, I can guarantee that they’ll be thinking ‘one-night’ territory – which my love, if you’re wanting more than that – you’re worth more than that. However if that’s what you’re looking for and you’re not messing with their emotions, go on ahead!

Don’t overanalyse his gift

Unlike men, women have a tendency to analyse every word, gift and gesture from their partner to decipher hidden meanings. However, it is important that, although it may be disappointing, you don’t take a rubbish gift on Valentine’s Day to heart.

Just because he gives you a cheap and generic present it doesn’t mean he is making a statement about your relationship; in fact it may say more about his bank balance or feelings towards Valentine’s Day than it does about you.

–          See previous point above – he might interpret ‘romantic’ gifts differently to the way that you do. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t care! (Princess)

Do make it last all day

While most of us have work and responsibilities to attend to on Valentine’s Day, it is possible to maintain the romance throughout the day with minimal money and effort. To really make the most of the day, try not to keep celebrations just for the evening.

Instead, get up a bit early and start the day with breakfast in bed, then send a quick text during the day (or slip a note in with their lunch) to let them know that you are thinking of them and looking forward to your plans later.

–          Think this is a lovely idea! It’s the little things that go a long way!

Do be creative

To really avoid the crowds on Valentine’s Day, it can help to think outside the box and plan something a little more creative. A bunch of flowers and reservations for the best restaurant in town may have always been met with appreciation before, but to really surprise your partner try planning something a little less generic like a homemade gift or a picnic (you could even have this indoors if the weather is bad). Also, avoid using a tried-and-tested formula you have used on other partners — make your other half feel unique and special with a date planned just for them.

–          I’ve always been a big fan for thinking outside the box! AND INDIVIDUAL! Nothing more of a turn off than knowing that your man has done this exact same date with a previous squeeze and that ‘knows’ it’s a winner!

Do remember it’s just one day

Many of us dream of having the perfect Valentine’s Day where we’re swept off our feet and lavished with attention from an adoring partner. However, as lovely as this may be, in reality it may be best to keep things in perspective. If you’re single on Valentine’s Day it is important to remember that it is not the end of the world if you haven’t got plans — there will be many other days in the future to score the perfect date. If you are coupled up, it is equally important not to stress if things don’t live up to expectations; bear in mind that your relationship is more important than just one day.

–          Couldn’t have said it better myself!

(Source: www.realbuzz.com)

SO if you’re single, dating, loved up or married, enjoy today and celebrate what it’s meant to be celebrated for, a little thing called love!

COMPETITION ALERT** How about a treat to yourself this Valentine’s Day?

I’m all about the competitions at this time of year to show my grattitude to all of my lovely blog readers, for without them, I’d just be a crazy person talking to myself! (It has been known!)

I thought it might be quite a nice idea to do a post about treating yourself this Valentine’s Day, yes there’s focus on love, romance and passion at this time of year – At the end of the day however I’m a believer that you really have to love yourself in order to open yourself up to be loved by another.

Please find a number of products below that I can’t help but think might make the ideal treat to yourself. To celebrate the impending Valentine’s Day antics, I have one of each of the following gift suggestions up for grabs for one lucky Dating101Sydney reader.

So whether you’re looking for inspiration for your significant other, or you just want to say thanks to yourself for being you, the following Valentine’s Day gift suggestions should give you inspiration!

Stunning jewellery stand by Frunique

This stunning Chic Jewellery Stand embodies the perfect gift for the lady who has everything! This Valentine’s Day why not give a truly unique present to the Angel in your life? Even if that is your best friend, mother, sister or loved one. Valentine’s Day is about love, in all of its forms!

Imagine how stunning it will look on your dressing table with all of your favourite items that deserve to be on show, rather than tucked away in a draw or box.

You can find out more about the stunning collection at the Facbook Page  and the website www.frunique.com.au

If you’re interested in entering to win the stunning stand that is up for grabs, simply like Dating101Sydney’s page on Facebook (Box in the right) and like Frunique’s Facebook page and tell me in 100 words or less what your ultimate Valentine’s surprise would be… Feel free to use your imagination!

Kindle Kandle

Don’t let the flame go out in your passion stakes, everyone knows that candles can create atmosphere, whether you’re in the bath and want some time to yourself, or you’re wanting a romantic vibe in the bedroom, candles are always the answer!

Only, the guys at Kindle Kandle have gone one step further and have a candle that adds another element to the mix… Massage. Kindle Kandle is a massage candle collection, a 100% soy natural candle with six delicious scents in the collection: Orange & Mango, Shannonpea, Tahiti Rosette, Cane Sugar, Gardenia and Butter Beans.

How is it a massage candle I hear you cry… Well let me tell you, ha! Each candle contains cosmetic-grade soy, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, shea butter, sweet almond oil, natural vitamin E and scented oils for aroma. The ingredients are not only natural but extremely rich and moisturising.

Amazingly the warm wax can be used as massage oil, all you have to do is simply let a small pool of wax melt and with the spoon gently scoop the melted oil into your hands and massage onto your/ your partners body for a complete sensor experience.

A unique and exciting new product, Kindle Kandle is fast becoming a favourite amongst retail, gift and salon clients.

To be in with a chance of winning one of the candles for yourself (the winner gets to choose their chosen flavour),  simply ‘Like’ Dating101Sydney and Kindle Kandle’s pages on Facebook and tell me in no more than 25 words who you’d most like to massage the Kindle Kandle into and why… Don’t be shy, we’re all friends here!

If you’re not selected as our lucky winner, you can find out more about how to get your hands on one for yourself at www.kindlekandle.com or on its Facebook page