Need Valentine's Day ideas? See the ultimate guide to all things romance in North Jersey
It doesn't matter whether you're an old softie or a curmudgeon when it comes to expressions of love: Valentine's Day is coming, like it or not.
Let's say you do like it. A lot. Plenty for you to read here: How to pop the big question, where to find a romantic restaurant, our low-down on the best oysters (they're aphrodisiacs, hadn't you heard?).
Or let's say you don't. We report on the anti-Valentine's Day trend (the pendulum had to swing eventually, no?). We also have some stories you can, um, sink your teeth into, like why are vampires sexy — and why the heck don't the Valentine's Day hearts look like the real ones?
So here's a roundup of Valentine's stories, with something for everyone. Just like Forrest Gump's box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
What's all the fuss about?
Anti-Valentine's Day celebrations
Some couples scoff at the high price tags and high pressure of over-the-top Valentine’s Day celebrations. Instead, more people are bidding goodbye to the often-called Hallmark holiday, and they're creating their own low-key, nontraditional celebrations — if they choose to do anything at all.
Kiss off: 'It's not on steroids anymore:' Over-the-top Valentine's Day celebrations lose their spark
Screenshot these funny cards to show your Valentine how much Jersey you care
New Jerseyans are *ahem* unique. It only makes sense that we would have our own way of expressing affection too. It can be hard to find the right words to show your love for your Jersey guy or girl, so here are some sentiments and advice to help the day go smoothly. Feel free to steal.
Be mine: Get all Jersey for Valentine's Day: Save these cards you didn't know you needed
Popping the big question
Want to plan a romantic proposal? Steal these ideas
We asked folks who work at restaurants, bars and bakeries to tell us about the most romantic proposals they've witnessed — and sometimes helped orchestrate. These stories, as told by the witnesses in their own words, should elicit smiles, guffaws and near swoons. (And maybe some good ideas, too.) Happy Valentine's Day!
Will you marry me? The most romantic proposals conspired on at North Jersey restaurants
And here's what NOT to do
We called on the folks in the restaurant business to provide the antidote to all those mushy Valentine's Day cards you can't help but see at your corner store or those soft-focused commercials of googly-eyed couples swooning over a diamond necklace. If you've got the Feb. 14 blues, we thought we'd tickle your funny bone with these stories of dates gone horribly wrong.
Just say no: Restaurant and bar staff tell us the worst dates they've ever witnessed
The flowers of February
Why roses? Why now?
Roses have been the flower of love pretty much ever since there has been love — or roses. On Valentine's Day, roses vie with caramels and 18k jewelry in the select pantheon of Suitable Gifts. Why roses? Well, lots of reasons — some of which we can't talk about in a family newspaper. All flowers are, by their very nature, carnal. They're about reproduction. But the rose, because of its deep red color, also has associations with blood, which... We will say no more.
Pony up for your dozen: Why do we buy red roses for Valentine's Day? Let us count the reasons
Which roses hold up the best?
If you're going to get roses, then you want to make sure they last. Lucky, we did the research on that for you. We purchased a dozen long-stem roses from five companies — a local florist in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, called Flowers by Chuck, 1-800-Flowers, Costco, Trader Joe's and The Bouqs Company, which specializes in flowers sent directly from farmers. Did they droop in a day? Shed leaves like crazy? Lose petals? Or, were they full and fresh for days? These things matter when you're spending your hard-earned money.
Do they droop? Find out here: We bought roses from five different companies. Here's which bouquet holds up the best
Love lore and gore ...
Why don't Valentine's Day hearts look like real ones? The answer may not be for kids
With Valentine's Day upon us once more, it's worth asking: how is it that the universal symbol for "heart" looks nothing like a heart? And how is it that — despite such a blatant disregard for reality — that shape has become one of the most familiar in the world?
Find out why: Why don't Valentine's Day hearts look like real ones? The answer may not be for kids
On Valentine's Day, we dare to ask it: why are vampires sexy?
You might almost forget that a vampire is a living corpse, feeding on the blood of humans. The transformation of this fetid creature into a Casanova in a cape is one of the odder developments in pop culture. Our culture writer Jim Beckerman explores that, and dares to ask... How did vampires, hideous creatures with the world's worst eating disorder, turn into everybody's favorite dreamboat?
Bite on this: On Valentine's Day, we dare to ask it: why are vampires sexy?
For food lovers
Where to find your date's favorite North Jersey restaurant
Whether you're looking for romance — or just the best ramen — food editor Esther Davidowitz and the North Jersey Eats food team have recommendations. We are food obsessives extraordinaire, after all, and can help you sort out where to go for just about anything you're looking for: a special-occasion spot, a terrific pizza pie, a good cup of joe, a great vegetarian meal, a hearty breakfast, a hole-in-the-wall bar, a rooftop restaurant, and more. You'll love our guide to help satiate your appetite for admittedly highly opinionated but solid and practical information about eating and drinking in North Jersey.
Explore it here: The ultimate guide to finding really good food in North Jersey
Looking to spice things up for your Valentine? Here's what chefs recommend
Over-the-top ingredients, fondue, beef Wellington, oysters, Dauphinoise potato and more. Here's how to wow your date with indulgence.
Go all in: Spice up your Valentine's meal with these chef tips
Eat this now: 19 heart-shaped foods to delight your Valentine
Sure, a box of chocolate or a bouquet of flowers will do. But this year, why not present your honey with something different, something more inspired, something that can both fill your Valentine's tummy and charm her heart? This year, consider gifting your love with food that's shaped like the love muscle itself. Food may taste even better when it not only comes straight from the heart but is actually shaped like a heart.
Heart this way: 19 heart-shaped foods to delight your Valentine
Get your North Jersey heart-shaped pizza here
Nothing says "I love you" like a big cheesy pizza — especially in New Jersey. Several North Jersey pizza shops are offering heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day. And there's no better time to preorder your heart-shaped pizza for your lover (or friend or yourself) than on National Pizza Day, Feb. 9. (We're also aware that there's a debate on Twitter about heart-shaped pizzas being smaller than regular pizzas for the same amount of money. To those people we say, who cares? They're cute and fun and we only get them this time of year.)
Here's where to order: Get your North Jersey heart-shaped pizza here (And don't forget to call ahead; this story originally published in 2022.)
New Jersey's most romantic restaurants
All right, let's face it. Not everyone wants order-at-the-counter restaurants for Valentine's. Some people have their hearts set on (see what we did there?) a romantic restaurant. Lucky for you, we've got that covered too.
Here's where to book: New Jersey's most romantic restaurants
Looking to dine with a view of the Manhattan skyline? Here are restaurants where you can
Is the Manhattan skyline romantic enough for you? There's almost nothing more magical, more wondrous, more breathtaking than the near, make that, absolute surreal skyline of New York City. Those colossal skyscrapers. Those twinkling lights. All that glass, all that steel. All those photos you can snap. That unmitigated feast for the eye is served, free of charge, at a number of North Jersey restaurants. All you've got to do is hop on over, snag a seat and eat, drink and, yes, gape away.
What a view! Dining with a view of the Manhattan skyline
Best oysters in North Jersey
We won't weigh in on whether bivalves help in the boudoir. But we know that people think they can be aphrodisaics, and so they're popular at Valentine's Day. Our food editor Esther Davidowitz says: "I stand behind their uniquely refreshing, wonderfully intoxicating deliciousness. They are lovely little packets of culinary joy that taste like the sea — a little salty, a little fishy, a lot awesome. And they are admittedly sexy to eat: all that slurping of succulent, savory meat."
Slurp away: North Jersey's best oysters
How do they do it? (Maybe it's the food?)
Restaurants are a tough business. Lots of stress. Lots of pressure. Lots of failures. And, it turns out, lots of love. Theses three North Jersey couples can vouch for that. Owners of mom-and-pop restaurants, they have managed to work together, live together and love one another despite fallen souffles, burnt steaks and COVID shutdowns.
This love lasts: Restaurant Sweethearts: These longtime North Jersey couples love food and each other
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Things to do for Valentine's Day in North Jersey, plus gifts and more
