How chocolate became the symbol of Valentine’s Day
Chocolate didn’t become romantic by accident. Here’s how Victorian-era marketing turned it into Valentine’s Day’s go-to gift.
Need a “sweet” treat for Valentine’s Day? Or maybe you feel a bit “salty” about the holiday. No matter what, there’s a deal out there for you.
Chain restaurants across the country are celebrating Feb. 14 with a host of deals and freebies. And good news for our readers: Many of these restaurants have locations right here in the Queen City!
Here’s where to find Valentine’s Day deals around Greater Cincinnati:
7Brew
Two medium drinks for $9 all day.
Applebee’s
$6 “Smoocho Sips,” featuring the Tipsy Cupid and the brand new Prickly Ever After Rita, both garnished with gummy lips. For those seeking a non-alcoholic option, the chain is also debuting the Prickly Melon Rush mocktail made with Red Bull Watermelon.
Auntie Anne’s
The pretzel shop will have heart-shaped pretzels available in-store only – and cinnamon sugar heart-shaped pretzels at participating locations – Friday, Feb. 13, and Saturday, Feb. 14. There’s also a “Takes Two to Twist” Bundle ($15.99) with two Original Pretzels, two medium strawberry mixers, until Feb. 15. Also on Valentine’s Day, members of Auntie Anne’s Rewards get a free original or cinnamon sugar pretzel free with purchase of any pretzel item (in-store and online).
Baskin-Robbins
Members of the Baskin-Robbins Rewards loyalty program can get buy-one-get-one-free scoops on Valentine’s Day and, through Feb. 28, get $3 off a cake priced at more than $20. The ice cream chain has new Valentine’s Day Vintage Heart Cakes decorated with pink, red and white frosting – and, if you desire, cherries – all customizable with any ice cream flavor. There’s also a new Love Potion #31 Cappy beverage made with Arabica coffee, topped with whipped cream and a fudge drizzle.
Biggby Coffee
Buy one, get one free deal on any drink of any size.
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Dine on a Valentine’s $59.99 prix fixe menu from Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15. The meal includes two salads, two entrées and a dessert to share.
Brio Italian Grille
“Valentine’s Weekend Done Delicious” three-course meal for two for $69.99 from Feb. 13 to 15. The dine-in offer includes a shared chopped or caesar salad, a choice of premium entrées such as gorgonzola-crusted beef medallions or lobster and shrimp fettuccine, and a caramel mascarpone cheesecake for dessert.
Buca di Beppo
“Valentine’s Dinner for Two” priced at $59.99 from Feb. 13 to 15. This festive three-course meal features a choice of salad, garlic bread, a heart-shaped lasagna and two chocolate chip cannoli topped with heart sprinkles. The offer is available for dine-in, carryout or delivery at participating locations nationwide.
Buffalo Wild Wings
“Pick 6” Date Night deal, starting at $19.99. The deal includes two entrees, sides and drinks. You can grab the deal for a night in by ordering through the restaurant’s app or website for takeout and delivery.
Burger King
Members of the Royal Perks loyalty program can buy one, get one Whopper free on Valentine’s Day. Starting Feb. 18, the fast food chain has a special on its Big Fish Sandwich ($4 through April 2). In both cases, get the deal in the BK app and on BK.com.
Checkers & Rally’s
Get two sandwiches for $4 through Valentine’s Day.
Chick-fil-A
Heart-shaped trays, which can be filled with fan favorites like 30-count nuggets, 10-count Chick-n-Minis, 6-count Chocolate Chunk Cookies or 12 brownie halves. These festive, shareable trays are available at participating restaurants for a limited time for dine-in, carryout, or delivery. Guests can check the Chick-fil-A app to confirm local availability and menu options.
Cinnabon
The bakery chain has 20% off CinnaPacks through Monday, Feb. 16.
Crumbl Cookies
The bakery chain has several Valentine’s Day-themed treats and its first-ever heart-shaped dessert, the Strawberry Heart Cake, available for a limited time. The menu was unveiled on Feb. 9. There’s also Crumbl Valentines, small cards with a voucher for a free treat (through Feb. 14.)
Dave & Buster’s
Through Valentine’s Day, the arcade, sports bar and restaurant chain has a $99 Date Night Duo Deal with a meal (one appetizer, two entrées and one dessert) and two 90-minute “All-You-Can-Play” game cards.
Dairy Queen
The “Treats for Two” deal offers two Valentine’s Cupcakes featuring festive frosting and heart-shaped sprinkles for $6.
Dunkin’ Donuts
In addition to limited-time Valentine’s Day beverages, including the Sweet On You Cloud Latte, the donut and coffee chain also has two limited time donuts – the Brownie Batter Classic Donut and Cupid’s Choice Classic Donut. Those and all filled donuts will be heart-shaped. Other donuts will have pink, red and white sprinkles for the holiday. There’s also special heart-shaped Munchkins, available in one of three collectible designs, featuring sweet phrases: “Sweet On U”, “Just Bcuz” and “Ur A Treat” and filled with an assortment of 25 donut hole treats. $2 from each tin goes to the Dunkin’ Joy In Childhood Foundation, which battles child hunger. On Valentine’s Day, members of the Dunkin’ Rewards loyalty program get triple points on all Espresso beverages purchased.
Edible Arrangements
Save up to 25% off on select Valentine’s Day gifts and get free next-day delivery on orders of $79 or more.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
“Bro-quets” are edible bouquets made from limited-edition Heart Bagels. These heart-shaped bagels are available at participating locations in plain, chocolate chip, and cinnamon raisin.
Insomnia Cookies
“Pop-up date night” reservations at select locations, offering a $30 prix fixe experience that includes a six-pack of warm cookies and a trio of new dipping sauces. The bakery’s seasonal lineup also features limited-edition treats like Red Velvet Cheesecake and Vegan Red Velvet cookies, alongside a special “Cherub Chunk” gift box that includes a commemorative plush toy.
Jimmy John’s
Members of the JJ Rewards loyalty program can buy one toasted sandwich and get one free on Valentine’s Day. Order online or in the app; use code HEATED to get the deal.
Kona Ice
Kona-shaped gummy candies packaged in heart-shaped boxes. Available at Walmart.
Krispy Kreme
Valentine’s Day Doughnut Collection, featuring four festive flavors like the “Teddy Bear Cookies & Kreme” and “I Love You a Choco-Lot” heart-shaped doughnuts. Available in a custom-themed dozen box. There’s also a social media contest where a dozen lucky fans can win two dozen free doughnuts on Saturday, Feb. 14.
LaRosa’s
Cincinnati pizzeria LaRosa’s introduced its first-ever heart-shaped pizza ahead of Valentine’s Day. The pizza is available now through Feb. 22, and guests can add their choice of toppings.
Maggiano’s
Marco’s Meal for Two (starting at $59), which comes with an appetizer or two salads, two pasta entrées and dessert. You can upgrade the entrée, too, opting for chicken parmesan, for example, for $7 per person.
Marco’s Pizza
Heart-shaped pizzas are available Thursday, Feb. 12, to Valentine’s Day, starting at $7.99 for a one-topping pie. There’s also a heart-shaped pizza and brownie bundle for $13.99.
McAlister’s Deli
Members of McAlister’s Rewards loyalty program can buy one entrée and get one for 50% off from Friday, Feb. 13, to Sunday, Feb. 15.
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Buy one, get one free entrées on Valentine’s Day. Members of the Moe Rewards loyalty program can get the deal starting Thursday, Feb. 12, through the holiday. They can also get BOGO burritos or bowls from Valentine’s Day to Monday, Feb. 16.
Noodles & Company
When you purchase a regular entrée, get a free side through Sunday, Feb. 15.
Nothing Bundt Cakes
New Chocolate Raspberry Heart Pop-Up flavor. Nothing Bundt Cakes teamed up with Dove to create this chocolate cake filled with raspberry puree and topped with a silky Dove chocolate heart. Only available in the bundtlet size.
Outback Steakhouse
Special four-course meal for two starting at $65. The deal includes a shareable “Aussie-tizer,” two signature side salads, two entrées, like the new Delmonico Ribeye or Filet Mignon, and a dessert to share.
Paris Baguette
“Pink Velvet” menu, headlined by handcrafted treats like the Pink Velvet Chocolate Ganache Cake, the six-layer Pink Velvet Layer Cake and the XOXO Strawberry Soft Cream Heart Cakr. Also includes seasonal treats and drinks such as Pink Velvet Supreme Croissants and Pink Velvet Matcha Lattes.
P.F. Chang’s
A special five-course prix fixe menu for two, available for dine-in at participating locations from Feb. 12 through Feb. 16. The $89.99 experience features a curated selection of signature appetizers, soups, entrées and desserts, with the option to add premium wine pairings.
Pizza Hut
Return of Pizza Hut’s heart-shaped pizza. The medium one-topping pizza is available on a hand-tossed crust starting at $11.99 and arrives uncut to maintain its festive shape. Available through Feb. 22.
Popeyes
Through March 1, members of the Popeyes Rewards loyalty program can get two Chicken Sandwiches for $9 (excluding taxes and fees) when ordering on the Popeyes mobile app or popeyes.com. And through Sunday, Feb. 15, you can choose one of four options on the Popeyes $5 Faves including 3-piece Chicken or Tenders, Two Chicken wraps or Two Regular Sides. Offer good in-store, on the Popeyes App, or on Popeyes.com. (Prices higher on delivery.)
QDOBA Mexican Eats
Buy one, get one deal exclusively for rewards members. Guests who purchase any entrée and a drink can receive a second entrée of equal or lesser value for free. Available in-store, online or through the app.
Ruby Tuesday
“Cupid’s Dinner for Two” starting at $49.99, which includes two endless Garden Bars, two select entrées and a shareable dessert. Guests can also enjoy half-priced bottles of wine and specialty seasonal cocktails such as the Heart Breaker Margarita. The offer is available for dine-in through Feb. 28.
Smoothie King
The beverage chain teamed with reality TV star Tyler Cameron on a special Valentine’s Day drink, the Berry Smooth Smoothie, a chocolate-covered strawberry–inspired blend (available exclusively in the Smoothie King app). Also in the app, members of the Healthy Rewards loyalty program get a buy one, get one free deal on Feb. 14.
Waffle House
“Love at the Waffle House” experience. The white-tablecloth service transforms the casual diner into a romantic destination featuring festive decorations and a specialty menu. Due to high demand, guests must secure their spot in advance by contacting participating restaurants directly through the brand’s official reservation list.
White Castle
300 participating locations will turn into “Love Castles,” complete with hostess seating, tableside service and festive decor. Reservations for this one-night-only, sit-down dining experience are available through OpenTable for time slots between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Source: RestaurantNews.com and USA TODAY.
Dining and Cooking