Source: Teeny Cake Bakery
Love is in the air, and outdoor dining is back. Now that’s a winning combination! Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, February 14th, and we’ve rounded up tons of fun places in Novato where you can dine outside or order for pickup, as well as unique treats you can only find right here in Novato!
We know it’s been awhile since you’ve had a night out. Grab your sweetie and head to Beso Bistro on Palm Drive, where you can dine on the open air patio and enjoy crispy monterey calamari, grilled filet mignon, or pasta pomodoro! Over on Grant Avenue, Grazie Restaurant has outdoor dining (complete with heaters!) where you can enjoy wild petrale sole stuffed with asparagus, chicken marsala, beef ragu with pappardelle pasta, and more! On Ignacio Boulevard, Crave will be serving farm-to-table brunch and dinner fare — like Mary’s gluten-free buttermilk half fried chicken — for outdoor dining on its gorgeous patio.
Want some live music with your romantic meal? James Harman will be playing at Finnegan’s Marin, and there’s a special Valentine’s Day menu for $90 per couple (today is the LAST DAY to pre-order from the menu for delivery or pickup). Over at HopMonk Novato, Mike Z. will be playing an afternoon set from 12:30-2:30pm, so you can enjoy lunch in the large beer garden under vintage oak trees.
Feel like ordering in? Today is the LAST DAY to pre-order a gluten-free meal for two from Flour Chylde — choose from gnocchi dinner or chicken piccata for a Friday or Saturday pickup. We also recommend adding the 12” heart-shaped chocolate chip cookie to your order! Classic Culinaire offers oven-ready meals for pick Tuesday-Friday 1-7pm and Saturday 12-5pm. Choose from delicious appetizers like harvest salad topped with cabernet poached pears or honey roasted bacon brussel sprouts and main courses like chicken cordon blue or beef stroganoff.
Here at Shop Local Novato, we recommend never arriving at your date empty-handed. Luckily for you, Mantra Wines in downtown Novato is hosting a pop-up for Sax’s Joint with their amazing cinnamon rolls on Saturday, February 13th, from 10am-1pm. Pre-order your cinnamon rolls on the Sax’s Joint Facebook page to reserve your order, so you can show up on Sunday with a beautiful edible treat. While you’re at Mantra, you can pick up a custom Valentine’s Day box, complete with any wine of your choosing, chocolate truffles from Celine’s Sweets, and even an embroidered Mantra Wines hat or blanket.
Drop by See’s Candies in Vintage Oaks Shopping Center for a tried and true box of chocolate truffles, or customize your own if you know your sweetie’s favorites. On Redwood Boulevard, Teeny Cake has heart-shaped cookie decorating kits available for pickup Thursday-Saturday (limited orders available, so act fast!), as well as beautiful confetti cupcakes and more! For a fruity treat, stop by La Michoacana Natural Ice Cream on Grant Avenue, where you can pick up a couple fruit paletas and participate in the paletas de amor challenge!
Whether you get out on the town or order in, we hope your heart tells you to think local on Valentine’s Day!
