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From the archives: January 16, 2008
Every year, Valentine's Day comes down to the same things: Roses, jewelry, chocolate, champagne and romantic dinners. No matter your budget, we've come up with three itineraries to keep your significant other smiling.
On this page:The $25 Valentine, The $100 Valentine, The Money's-No-Object Valentine.
The $25 Valentine
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Metropolitan Market
Read Reviews1908 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 (map)
Ah, the dilemma of the broke suitor: Nothing says "I love you" like roses, but they're a little out of your price range. Not to worry--a single rose ($2.99) and a smile will get the point across just as well.
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Maximilien in the Market
Read Reviews81A Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 (map)
If a romantic dinner for two is out of the question, you might want to consider a romantic happy hour instead. This atmospheric Market restaurant has million-dollar Puget Sound views and amazing deals on house wine ($4), steamed mussels ($2.95), twice-fried Belgian frites ($2.95) and oysters ($4.50/half-dozen).
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Cupcake Royale World Hdqrs
Read Reviews2052 Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 (map)
Bypass the four-piece Whitman's samplers and sweeten your honey up with a Deathcake Royale ($6) instead--layers of dark chocolate, espresso ganache and chocolate cake drizzled with chocolate ganache.
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Trader Joe's
Read Reviews4555 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105 (map)
Champagne isn't the only bubbly on the block: This affordable food emporium has tons of great bottles of cava, prosecco and other sparkling wines for less than $10.
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Confectionery
Read Reviews4610 26th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105 (map)
You wish you could buy her diamonds, but for now, a candy necklace or Ring Pop will have to do. It might not pack the same emotional punch as the real deal, but if she's a keeper, she'll appreciate the gesture.
The $100 Valentine
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Pete's Wines
Read Reviews58 E Lynn St, Seattle, WA 98102 (map)
Get yourself out of the Veuve/Moet champagne rut and try a sparkler produced closer to home: This hidden Eastlake supermarket has a great selection of local bubblies.
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Seattle Flowers
Read Reviews600 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 (map)
Surprise your sweetheart on Valentine's Day morning with an unexpected delivery of a dozen red roses in a vase ($69.95).
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Lil' Paisley's
Write a review6500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 (map)
Find your special lady a one-of-a-kind piece at this dainty boutique chock-full of vintage and estate jewelry. Don't know the first thing about shopping for accessories? The friendly proprietress will gladly help find an item in your price range.
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Simply Desserts
Read Reviews3421 Fremont Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103 (map)
If you present your lover every year with one of those red satin chocolate samplers, surprise them this time with a super-rich chocolate-truffle cake ($35) from this small Fremont bakery. Though there are a few tables in the store, we recommend taking it to go and savoring it at home.
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Dimitriou's Jazz Alley
Read Reviews2033 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 (map)
Plan ahead for dinner with a little something extra: Mindi Abair and her pop-influenced jazz saxophone is playing two V-Day shows (7:30pm and 9:30pm; $36) at this upscale jazz club. Throw in candlelight and black velvet banquettes and you're looking at a seriously romantic evening.
The Money's-No-Object Valentine
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Turgeon Raine Jewellers
Read Reviews1407 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 (map)
There's nothing more romantic than designing a special piece for your special someone, and custom work is the name of the game at this jeweler. The only limit? The depth of your pockets.
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Twisted Cork Wine Bar
Read Reviews900 Bellevue Way NE, Bellevue, WA 98004 (map)
High rollers should order "The Dream" champagne flight, offering a taste of Dom Perignon Brut, Veuve Cliquot "La Grande Dame" and Krug Vintage Brut ($80).
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Teatro ZinZanni
Read Reviews222 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109 (map)
Dinner theater at this spectacular European-style cabaret is an experience that you won't soon forget ($132, 6:30pm-9:30pm).
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Chocolate Box
Read Reviews108 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 (map)
Extravagant made-to-order baskets should keep you both going until next Valentine's Day. For a real impact, buy the Dilettante basket, brimming with truffles, caramels, dark chocolate, brandied cherries, toffee and nutmeats ($137).
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Ballard Blossom
Read Reviews1766 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107 (map)
Make like the romantic lead in a movie and fill her house with roses while she's at work ($225.95 for three dozen, delivered to her door).
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