Valentine's Day in Oz, 2024

February 14th is Valentine's Day and, though many consider it a "Hallmark" holiday, the celebration actually dates back to Roman times; a fertility festival called "Lupercalia." Times have certainly changed.  Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated by friends, family, and lovers, alike, and whether you need a treat for your kids or a romantic gift for your significant other, there are plenty of great, local choices in Oz.

Chocolate is the most common Valentine's Day gift, and Oz is home to several very fine chocolate shops!  Chocolate Chisel in Port Washington always has fresh, chocolate covered strawberries available for the occasion, as well as a wide variety of milk and dark chocolates to choose from.  A beautiful caramel apple from Amy's Candy Kitchen in downtown Cedarburg makes a wonderful Valentine's gift and, while you're in town, make it a gift from Cedarburg with something from Ashley's Confectionery, too!  If you're in the Grafton area, stop into Sweet Trio  or Handmade with Love for a delicious variety of chocolates, candy and caramel apples, or, if you're in the southern Ozaukee neck of the woods, Mequon has the Cocoa Tree Confectionary. 

Flowers is another Valentine's Day favorite and Oz has the goods!  In Saukville, try Lighthouse Florist; in Grafton, there's the Bloomin Olive.  Cedarburg has Rachel's Roses, while Mequon has La Terre at the Mequon Public Market.

Perhaps the lovely lady in your life has Jewelry in mind?  You can't go wrong with Armbruster Jewelers in Cedarburg or Sharbuno Jewelers in Port Washington; both family businesses who have been in their community for many years.  Wyndrose and Pagoda Fine Jewelry in Cedarburg are also local favorites.

Really, though, does anything say "love" better than Coffee? Check out Java House or Cedarburg Coffee Roastery in Cedarburg, Java Dock or Banjole's Brews in Port Washington or Colectivo in Grafton or Mequon.  Also in Mequon is the delightful Cafe 1505, which has treats, breakfast and lunch, and is also a full service coffee bar.

​Looking for a special Dinner out?  In Port Washington, Twisted Willow has a special dinner from the 9th through the 10th and the Moonlight Tavern has theirs just on the 14th or 17th, or hit up Beanies Mexican Restaurant for a Cupid Margarita!  Brandywine in Cedarburg is always a good bet on the 14th or you could try Brunch Cedarburg, who has a three course Valentine's Brunch from the 12th through the 16th. Another option is the Sweetheart Trio Tasting at Cedar Creek Winery on the 10th or 11th, where you can get a nice wine tasting paired with cheese, chocolate, and other snacks, no reservation required.  Shully's Cuisine in Thiensville is offering an amazing 7-Course Dinner on the 9th that looks hard to pass up.  Bistro de Renard and the Foxtown Annex both have Valentine's Day Dinner options on 14th.  No No's in Newburg or Messina Italian Restaurant​ in Saukville are other considerations.

What about the littles in your life?  Try Art of Joy's School's Out Valentine's Party on the 9th or the Valentine's Cooking Class for Kids at the Mequon Public Market.

For something really different, you might want to attend the Ozaukee Food Alliance's "For the Love of Meat" Raffle at Sahale Ale Works in Grafton.  Nothing says love like a meat raffle, am I right?  Finally, for you crafty types, there's a Valentine's Day themed Sip & Paint at Gallery 224 in Port or a Valentine's Day BOGO at Board & Brush in Mequon.

However you share the love, put some Oz into it!  Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.

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