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San Benito Dining, activities and gift ideas for two
The weather may have dropped to extreme temperatures earlier this month, but things are starting to heat up, just in time for Valentine’s Day. So why not make the most of the holiday and take your sweetie out for a night on the town?
Many local restaurants, wineries and wine bars are welcoming lovebirds on Friday, Feb. 14, as well as its adjacent weekends.
Popular San Juan Bautista restaurant, Doña Esther’s Mexican Restaurant at 25 Franklin St., is offering a dinner special on Valentine’s Day. The meal for two, at $46.99, will include appetizers, soup or salad, a choice of three entrées, and dessert. The entire meal will be served with a bottle of wine or sparkling wine. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 831.623.2518. ➝ 6
IDEAS FOR TWO San Benito County has plenty of special events lined up for lovebirds on Valentine’s Day.
DELECTABLE GIFTS Chocolate and roses, two Valentine’s Day staples, are available at local shops.
Some popular venues are requiring reservations on the occasion due to limited seating. San Juan Oaks Golf Club at 3825 Union Road in Hollister, for instance, will be serving a threecourse surf and turf dinner complete with champagne and a chef-crafted dessert on Valentine’s Day. Tickets are $70. The event is from 6-10pm. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktail hour will begin at 6pm, followed by dinner at 7pm. Entertainment will be provided by the Moondance Band. Reservations can be made by calling 831.636.6127, extension 19.
Cienega Road wineries will host a Valentine’s Day weekend event with music, wine and food at “Wine is My Valentine.” Calera Wine Company and Eden Rift Vineyards have teamed up to offer access to both properties along with food and wine pairings, new spring releases and more. The event runs Feb. 15, noon-4pm at Cienega Wine Road, 11300 Cienega Road. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/wa93okc.
The YMCA of San Benito County is partnering with Jovenes de Antano for the Sweetheart Dance on Feb. 14 from 4-7pm at Hollister Community Center, 300 West St. The event will include dancing, finger foods and wine tasting. Tickets are $5.
Soul Kiss Band invites single ladies and gentlemen, as well as couples, to share some love for Valentine’s Day. Soul Kiss performs a variety of top pop, rock, country, hip-hop, old school, classic rock and R&B hits from today and yesteryear. The band performs Feb. 15 from 8-11pm at Grillin & Chillin Alehouse, 401 McCray St., Hollister. For information, visit soulkissband.com. Credo Studio, 1 Polk St. in San Juan Bautista, is hosting a paint party on Feb. 16 from 4-7pm. The beginner-friendly event will paint a scene depicting the aurora borealis. For information, visit tinyurl. com/wnvsl7w.
Further north, Rosewood CordeValle, 1 Cordevalle Club Drive in San Martin, will host a Valentine’s Day event on Feb. 14 at 5pm with a fourcourse dinner and wine pairing options. For reservations, call 408.695.4500.
A Valentine’s Day dinner and musical performance will be held at the Granada Theatre, 17440 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill, featuring a three-course dinner and a musical performance by Michael Bublé tribute
CELEBRATE Wine, dinner, paint parties and more are scheduled in San Benito County.
artist Scott Keo. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Two showings are available, Friday, Feb. 14, or Saturday, Feb. 15, 6-10pm each night. For tickets or information, visit liveloveleal.com.
Couples active in the “maker movement” or looking to get involved in it should check out AR Workshop in Morgan Hill. AR Workshop opened in June inside The Granary on Depot Street in Morgan Hill, and since then, numerous people have let their imaginations run wild with raw materials such as wood and canvas, said owner Kristi Holbrook. She added that many participants have been from Hollister and surrounding areas.
Seats are still available for AR Workshop’s Special DIY Date Night on Feb. 14 from 6-9pm. Couples can work on one project together, such as framed signs, pet beds, lazy Susans and more. For information, visit arworkshop.com/morganhill.
Gift ideas For chocolate lovers, gourmet boxed chocolates, truffles or chocolate-covered treats like apricots, nuts and chewy caramels or salted caramels can be found at DeBrito Chocolate Factory at 160 Briggs Road in Hollister. The Valentine’s heart box is a heart-shaped one-pound box filled with a choice of buttery almond toffee, chocolate-covered apricots or a combination of the two, specially made for the occasion. The store’s famous caramel apples are also available, including a special Valentine’s one. San Benito Bene at 615 San Benito St. always has premium chocolates, balsamics and dessert sauces for gift-giving. Linen sprays, lavender wraps and spa pillows will also be appreciated by your Valentine. Expressions Floral at 850 San Benito St. in Hollister has special Valentine flowers and baskets: The Because I Love You flower arrangement and gift baskets are just some of the arrangements you can send your Valentine. Flowers can be purchased at expressionsfloraldesigns. com. The store delivers to Hollister and nearby areas.
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