5 Fun Itineraries for Valentine's Day In and Around Park Slope
[FREE Letter] Including a black & white movie, karaoke, ax throwing(!), a sandwich with mystical restorative powers, and more!
Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day yet? Over the years, our plans have ranged from exactly nothing to a lively evening at Bogota with a special prix fixe menu. If you’re looking for ideas in and around Park Slope, with a friend or date or family, here are five itineraries.
Itinerary #1: See an old black-and-white movie
BAM is showing “It Happened One Night,” an opposites-attract romantic comedy starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert [pictured above], at 7PM & 9:15PM on February 14th. Get your tickets here.
If you only have time for a movie, you can grab a beer, wine, and light snacks right before the movie or during intermission at the theater. But, if you have time for dinner, a 10-minute walk up the road is Cruz del Sur, an authentic Guadalajara restaurant that’s home to the torta ahogada. This delicious sandwich may have mystical restorative powers, according to Chef Hugo Orozco. Give it a try and decide for yourself, or order from their special Valentine’s Day menu, which features dorilocos, chicken verde, and loaded churros. Cruz del Sur also has a fun drink menu. If you’re into mezcal, definitely check out their drinks.
Itinerary #2: Book a private room for karaoke
The great thing about Insa is you can sing karaoke and have a delicious meal under the same roof. Start with a one-hour karaoke session and order a cocktail and snack from the karaoke menu. Then, reserve a table in the dining room for dinner or grab seats at the bar. If you like fried chicken, get the popular Insa Fried Chicken to share, plus a rice or noodle dish. You can also walk a few blocks to cozy Al di La Trattoria for hearty homemade pasta.
Do you have a go-to karaoke song? Years ago, when I was in a karaoke bar in Montreal, everyone lost it when the chorus of “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette started playing. Also, Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Livin’ On A Prayer” by Bon Jovi are my karaoke-obsessed friend’s top picks.
Itinerary #3: Throw an axe
If karaoke isn’t your thing (I get it), what about ax throwing? Kick Ax Throwing Brooklyn has a fun lodge-themed bar and lounge. Think: natural wood, plaid accents, and taxidermy hanging on every wall. They offer a delicious menu, with options like Margherita flatbread, M&C bites, pretzel sticks, and wings. Plus, the table-side s’mores are a nostalgic treat. If you’re looking for something to do with a group, this would definitely make for a memorable evening. Make your reservations here.
Another option: Kick Ax teamed up with local favorite, Parklife, on a package for Valentine’s Day. There’s the option to book this anytime through 02/17, so you’re not limited to Wednesday. You start your night at Parklife with a three-course prix fixe dinner, plus a special complimentary Valentine’s cocktail. After dinner, head over to Kick Ax for your post-dinner activity. Reserve your tickets ASAP. (You can also swap shuffleboard for ax throwing at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club BK. More details here.)
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Itinerary #4: Stroll around Green-Wood Cemetery and then take a history class
If “visit a cemetery” and “take a history class” aren’t on your list for potential Valentine’s Day plans, that’s fair, but this enormous (478 acres!) cemetery is full of beautiful catacombs, sculptures, and natural landscapes, so you can just walk around without a plan. If you’re in the mood for an activity, check out their self-guided tours and scavenger hunts, like Finding Symbols in Stone - Objects & Shapes or Flowers & Plants. After you’ve checked out the cemetery, head to In The Heart of History: The Women in Theodore Roosevelt’s World. You’ll hear from Edward F. O’Keefe, Chief Executive Officer of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, and author of the forthcoming book, “The Loves of Theodore Roosevelt: The Women Who Created a President,” about Theodore Roosevelt’s mother and wife who both succumbed to illness within hours of each other, on February 14, 1884.
Grab something easy to eat while walking around the cemetery from East Wind Snack Shop — one of Stephanie Valdez’s favorite takeout spots in Park Slope — like pork belly bao buns, potstickers, or vegetable spring rolls. Another option: book a table at Masalawala & Sons. I haven’t been to Masalawala since their new menu came out, but it looks delicious! If you’ve tried anything from the new menu please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Itinerary #5: Ice skate at LeFrak
Take a few loops around the open-air ice skating rink at LeFrak Center at Lakeside, and then grab a hot chocolate from Bluestone Cafe. You need to reserve a 90-minute session between 11AM and 7PM, and you can rent skates at the rink. If you’re spending Valentine’s Day with kids, this is a fun kid-friendly activity.
Head back to Park Slope and warm up at Noodle Lane. This Smorgasburg favorite opened its brick-and-mortar store on 7th Avenue last September, and it’s already a local staple. Try one of their popular dishes, like Dan Dan Noodles, pork and chive dumplings, or Cheong Fun Noodles. For a prix-fixe option, book a table at Bricolage, where they’re serving their full menu as well as a prix-fixe meal featuring chef specials. My favorite dish on their original menu is the vegetarian Vietnamese crepe, and I also love their papaya salad, fresh summer rolls, spicy garlic noodles, and crispy Brussels sprouts. Also, Bricolage has excellent cocktails.
Bonus itinerary: Get cozy at home, order takeout, and watch a show
Last but not least, you could — like us — stay in, order food, and watch a movie. If you’re in the mood for Vietnamese, Sky loves Hanoi. Try Krupa, one of Suzi’s favorites, for hearty salads and burgers. If you’re eating with kids, you can’t go wrong with pizza, and Nina recommends The Brooklyn DOP, La Villa Pizzeria, and Two Boots. And the Greek cuisine at Athena is Rachel’s favorite for takeout.
What do you like doing on Valentine’s Day? Any recommendations for fun things to do in the area? I’d love to hear…