With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, tap houses and wineries throughout San Benito County are looking to lure customers in with special deals and delights.
“We just have been able to reopen our outdoor seating,” said Lori Wilson, owner of Bear’s Hideaway. “People are going to want to get out in this nice weather to celebrate and we are looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces again. It will help all the businesses in town.”
Dona Esther’s Mexican Restaurant in San Juan Bautista is taking advantage of the recently lifted ban on outdoor seating to run a special for the month of February.
“We are hoping to bring everyone out to join us and for those who don’t want to come out to our parklet, they can take our special home,” said owner Tami Castaneda.
While some restaurants are offering a special dish for Valentine’s Day, others such as The Inn at Tres Pinos and Paine’s Restaurant are offering entire menus with several appetizers, entrees, and desserts for the holiday.
One restaurant, The Smoke Point BBQ, is offering a complete meal, to-go only, with salads, main course, side dishes, and desserts.
“I think our bone-in ribeye steak special will get a great reception,” said employee Hailey Kemp. “People enjoyed it and we are expecting a lot of to-go orders. Customers will be able to swoop in and get a full meal including dessert to take home to enjoy with a loved one.”
Brewery Twenty Five was inspired to offer a special Valentine’s Day discount to first responders and health care workers.
“We are offering them a discount because we love them,” said Fran Fitzharris, owner of the San Juan-based brewery. “We are also looking forward to seeing all of our old customers—I think people are ready to get out again.”
A spirit of collaboration is in the air as well. At Bear’s Hideaway, Wilson will offer her customers Chaos & Caffeine Beer, made with coffee from Vertigo Coffee Roasters. Savor San Benito Farm to Table brought together Louie’s Smokey Trails BBQ, Eden Rift Vineyards, Heavenly Bakery, and Growing Hearts Garden Center for their special offering. Lolla is also collaborating with Eden Rift in a special sandwich and wine offer, as well as a charcuterie board and flower collaboration with Sweetheart Bouquets.
For those who just want something sweet to share with a loved one, several local cottage industry bakers including Black Pot Artisans, 831BakeShop, The Chaste Cupcake, Mmm Churros, and Sweet Al Amor are offering desserts and treats such as cupcakes, heart-shaped churros, decorated cookies, and chocolate cinnamon rolls.
BenitoLink has compiled a list of some of the deals and specials being offered for Valentine’s Day. Some are limited offers and subject to first-come-first-serve, some are pickup only, and some are available for pre-order. Please contact the merchants for more details.
Hollister
821BakeShop
Valentine’s Day cookies include chocolate, chocolate-dipped strawberry, velvet rose, sweetheart, and flower bouquet cookies.
Order online
Real vanilla bean cupcake with strawberry buttercream, espresso chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream, and a red velvet cupcake with vanilla buttercream, one dozen for $30.
(831) 673-1704
Apricot-stuffed French toast topped with bananas with eggs, $12.99.
380 Fourth Street
(831) 637-3730
Grillin & Chillin Alehouse
Ribeye steaks, 8 oz. and 15 oz., prices vary.
401 McCray Street
(831) 637-2337
Steak and seafood combos, with lobster tail, scallops, or shrimp, prices vary.
3650 San Juan Road
(831) 636-1010
Part of a collaboration with Savor San Benito Farm to Table that includes a custom red velvet cake.
Customers can order online by going to their website.
601 San Benito Street
(831) 630-0300
Hollister Recreation Department (Cupid Express)
Eight different balloon bouquets and candy bags.
$10 apiece
Customers can order online by going to their website.
La Catrina
New York steak with chimichurri sauce, $26.
Molten cheese with flaming tequila, $22.
A bottle of Montpellier wine (red or white) and bouquet of flowers, $60-$80 (depending on arrangement).
449 San Benito Street
(831) 313-0905
Mole with chicken, rice, beans and tortillas—call for pricing.
905 East Street
(831) 637-2768
Forty Tacos (pollo, asada, pastor) arranged in a heart shape, $90.
601 McCray Street
(831) 265-7544
Mmm Churros
Six super churros and six heart-shaped churros with love note $30 or $32 (flavored).
Six heart-shaped churros with love note $15 or $17 (flavored).
Pickup only.
(408) 887-8755
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Heart-shaped pizza (one topping), $20.69.
261 McCray Street, Suite A
(831) 637-6922
Valentine’s Day menu includes surf and turf, $75; prime rib, $40; chicken piccata $32; panko crusted calamari steak $28; crab crusted salmon $36; and angel hair pasta with prawns $34.
421 East Street
(831) 637-3882
Round Table Pizza
Heart-shaped pizza (one topping), $16.99.
496 Tres Pinos Road
(831) 637-7444
Savor San Benito Farm to Table
Dinner for two includes two smoked chicken quarters with 1/4 rack of smoked baby back ribs with scalloped potatoes and salad from Louie’s Smokey Trails BBQ. Also included is a bottle of 2016 Eden Rift Estate Pinot Noir, a custom red velvet cake from Heavenly Bakery, and a potted rosette succulent from Growing Hearts Garden Center. $70 for two.
Customers can order online by going to their website.
Bacon wrapped filet in peppercorn sauce, with a garlic jumbo prawn, served with broccoli and fingerling potatoes, $40.
155 Skyline Drive
(831) 313-1233
Individual heart-shaped pizza (with coupon available at restaurant), $1.50.
191 San Felipe Road Suite A
(831) 630-9400
Valentine’s Day dinner menu includes chicken pot pie, $13; Salisbury steak over jasmine rice, $15; wild cod over rice, $14; and chicken wellington, $17.
The dessert menu includes six petite s’more cake bites, $10; six petite chocolate cake bites, $10; two push-up cakes, $12; two red velvet whoopie pies, $10; apricot double crust pie, $8; and triple berry pie, $7.
Customers can order online by going to their website.
Pickups on Feb. 12
6310 Southside Road
(831) 801-0085
Valentine’s Day cookie package includes brownie nutella cookies, macarons, orange sugar cookies with jam, chocolates with a marshmallow filling, buttercream frosted cookies, sprinkled sugar cookies, and candy conversation hearts. $15 for 22 cookies.
Order through Facebook
Couples ordering one drink of any size will get a second drink free.
650 San Benito Street Ste. 110
(831) 313-1900
A heart-shaped pizza (one topping), $12.99.
551 McCray Street
(831) 265-7880
Valentine’s Day package includes a self-guided hiking map of the vineyard, one bottle of 2017 Eden Rift Estate Pinot Noir, two prosciutto and French brie sandwiches (with Lolla sauce, balsamic glaze, house-pickled red onions), and Marich chocolates. $70 picnic for two; $60 for wine club members.
1oo34 Cienega Rd. Hollister, Ca 95023
(831) 636-1991
San Juan Bautista
A flight of five wines, charcuterie board and chocolate. Call for pricing.
(831) 623-4049
322 Third Street
Bear’s Hideaway
Italian prosecco with fresh berries, paired with chocolate, and Chaos & Caffeine beer from Narrative Fermentations, paired with chocolate. Call for pricing.
(831) 623-9363
402 Third Street
Black Pot Artisans
Heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies, $3; chocolate cinnamon rolls, $12; and chocolate bread boule $12.
Customers can order online by going to their website.
Healthcare workers and first responders get $2 off to-go orders on Feb. 12-13.
Customers can order online by going to their website and entering code DEALS4HEROES. Work ID’s are required when picking up order.
(831) 636-7640
106 Third Street
Doña Esther’s Mexican Restaurant
Ten ground beef tacos and 10 cheese enchiladas with a pint each of rice and beans, $130; add a pitcher of house margaritas for $18. Offer good through February.
25 Franklin Street
(831) 623-2518
Inaka Japanese Restaurant
Bouquets from Laughin’ Gal Floral of Aromas will be available for purchase.
313 Third Street
(831) 593-5100
Jardines de San Juan Restaurant
Mar y tierra (surf and turf) with rice and beans, $49.99 for two.
115 Third Street
(831) 623-4466
Charcuterie board and flowers from Sweetheart Bouquets, $40.
201 Third Street
(831) 593-5064
Margot’s Ice Cream Parlor
Chocolate roses, chocolate heart lollipops, and heart-printed chocolate truffles. Free Valentine’s Day balloon with a truffle gift box purchase. Call for pricing.
211 Third Street
(831) 623-9262
A pancake special with a surprise Valentine’s Day present. Call for pricing.
300 Third Street
(831) 623-2220
Dinner for two includes bone-in ribeye steak, potatoes au gratin, garlic-sauteed spinach, smoked brussel sprouts, beet salad with Russian dressing, smoked demi glace, a mini mousse and a cherry pie. $100 for two.
Customer can order online by going to their website.
206 Fourth Street
(831) 593-5009
Tres Pinos
Two-for-one mimosas, $6; and heart-shaped pancake meal, $12.95.
6851 Airline Hwy St D
(831) 628-5009
Inn at Tres Pinos
Valentine’s Day menu includes fried avocado and shrimp cocktail, $15; New England clam chowder, $8; raspberry and arugula salad, $10; oven roasted Maine lobster, $48; Tres Pinos beef Wellington, $45.
6991 Airline Highway
(831) 628-3320
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