A Valentine's Day roundup of places to dine, things to do, tips for buying flowers & more

Becky Kover and Belinda M. Paschal, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·4 min read

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and if you are still trying to decide how to celebrate — either as a couple or with some good friends — we have some ideas.

Do you need ideas for Valentine's Day?
Do you need ideas for Valentine's Day?

From 10 romantic dinner locations to events you can enjoy with a loved one or friends, there's much happening this season.

Oh, and let us not forget candy, especially around Valentine's Day! What's the most popular type in Ohio? Read on to find out.

Romantic places to dine

Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse on Nationwide Boulevard has a 6-ounce filet and 6-ounce lobster tail on its menu for $65 through Feb. 15.
Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse on Nationwide Boulevard has a 6-ounce filet and 6-ounce lobster tail on its menu for $65 through Feb. 15.

Those impressive, indulgent romantic staples are heading onto local menus just in time for Valentine's Day.

We're talking filet mignon, caviar, lobster, oysters, chocolate mousse and plenty of sparkling wine.

According to a 2023 study by Popmenu, a technology company that serves the restaurant industry, 85% of adults celebrate Valentine's Day, and half of those celebrating include dinner out in their plans. Fine dining is the top choice among men, while a casual restaurant is preferred among women.

If you're planning to go out for a special meal on Valentine's Day itself, here's some advice: Book now. Some of the romantic go-tos in central Ohio are already booked up, and some have reservations only left for 4:30 or 9:30 p.m.

Here are some of the places offering special menus for the holiday, as well as a few options for those planning a "Galentine's Day" night out with friends.

For the list of restaurants: 10 places for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner: oysters, lobster and filet mignon await

Galentine's events to bring a smile

Paint and sips are popular for Galentine's Day, such as the Made Local Events' gathering, which is entering its fifth year. The event will take place Feb. 11 at The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin.
Paint and sips are popular for Galentine's Day, such as the Made Local Events' gathering, which is entering its fifth year. The event will take place Feb. 11 at The Exchange at Bridge Park in Dublin.

A celebration of sisterhood around the world, Galentine's Day is often observed on Feb. 13, but can be held any day before Valentine's Day. Building friendships, empowerment and support among women are reinforced by gatherings of all kinds.

For instance, there's Made Local Events' 5th Annual Galentine's Party taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11 at The Exchange at Bridge Park, a Cameron Mitchell Premier Event space at 6520 Riverside Drive in Dublin.

"Women are busy and we often don't prioritize time for ourselves. Galentine's for me is a day to enjoy my friends, laugh, be silly, have a glass of Champagne (or two) and relax," said Michelle Kirby, owner of Shelly Lou's Lids/Made Local Events.

"It is a well-deserved and much-needed day dedicated to celebrating me and my gals!"

The cost to attend the event is $10, with tickets available at eventbrite.com.

For more events: Snag your sweetie or grab your gal pals for these Valentine's and Galentine's events

Top candy pick in Ohio this year

If you're not taking your loved one out for a romantic dinner somewhere around Columbus, then candy might be your next choice for Valentine's Day gifts. But what candy is Ohioan’s top choice?

According to 16 years of sales data from bulk candy retailer candystore.com, Ohio’s top candy to buy leading up to Valentine’s Day is the ubiquitous heart-shaped candy box.

In second place was cupid corn, a type of pink, white, and red candy corn, and chalky but classic conversation hearts came in third.

Want to know more about candy? For Valentine's Day, this candy is the top pick in Ohio. See what's popular in your state

Say it with flowers

A Valentine's Day flower arrangement at Foster's Flower Shop in York.
A Valentine's Day flower arrangement at Foster's Flower Shop in York.

Candy is dandy and it's even sweeter when accompanied by a fragrant bouquet of flowers. Local florists say it's best to get delivery orders in as early as possible, but some will accept walk-in stragglers on Valentine's Day. However, sales are beginning to ramp up, so the variety of flowers available could dwindle if you dawdle too long.

"Starting Sunday, we'll probably get upwards of 50 calls a day," said Andria Smith, an assistant manager at Flowerama Columbus, 1600 Morse Road, where in-store purchases can be made until 8 p.m. on Valentine's Day, but "it may be slim pickings by then.

"We take delivery orders all the way up to 2 p.m. most days, but it will depend on how many deliveries we have. On a typical Valentine's Day, we have 500 deliveries out of (Flowerama's) Reynoldsburg store alone."

Related: Valentine's Day is next week. Here are 8 local florists to surprise your sweetheart

Matt DeSantis, owner of DeSantis Florist, 4460 Kenny Road, said the shop will likely not take delivery orders on Valentine's Day since they'll be at maximum capacity.

"The week of, we'll probably do a couple of hundred a day and on Valentine's Day, about 300," he said, adding that walk-ins will still be able to purchase both pre-made and custom arrangements.

Anticipating an influx of calls next week, Cathy Schmelzer, owner of Carriage House of Flowers, 4923 W. Broad St., has already planned to have extra staff manning the phones.

"We've probably gotten 50 orders already and that's not a thing that usually happens early here. We won't cut off delivery orders until mid-afternoon on Valentine's Day, then they have to come in and pick them up," she said.

"The day of, we will be taking orders. If people give you their business all year-round, you've got to be there for them."

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Things to do for Galentine's and Valentine's Day