By Melanie Wallis
Valentine’s is a day to embrace, full of love, swooning, surprises, chocolates and romance…well so most would hope. However, I remember clearly, only a few years ago, shedding a few tears over a potential boyfriend who didn’t cough up the expected Valentine offerings, in-fact nothing at all. Needless to say I cut off all communication with the particular individual from Feb 14 to date. For those romantic couples who will be (advisably) participating in the Valentine celebrations to prevent such eventualities, below are just some Valentines promotions that Downtown has to offer for D-day, Feb 14.
The Winter Garden in the World Financial Center is hosting a free Valentines event on Feb 14 at 2 p.m. entitled “Serenades of Mozart.” There will be artists from two orchestras, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam and the New York Philharmonic, who will perform a concert of music for wind instruments by Mozart. The surrounding restaurants in the World Financial Center, which include French, Chinese and American fare will be offering special Valentine’s menus.
Going from a free event to one of the most expensive, brace yourself for the Ritz Carlton’s “Can’t Buy Me Love…But You Can Try” package goes for $35,000. It includes a personally tailored fireworks display and your own chef for the evening. The hotel’s “Sugar and Spice” package includes one-night luxury accommodation, entry to ‘The Chocolate Bar’, an all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet and an hour-long romantic massage for two for $519 per couple.
Liberty Helicopter rides are offering three special Valentines packages; with all of them you get a 10-12 minute helicopter ride over Manhattan, dinner and range between $340 -$440. For more details about the Valentines set menus go to www.libertyhelicopters.com .
If you haven’t already booked your romantic meal for two or shopped for a token of love, the Downtown Alliance is working with more than 80 stores, restaurants and hotels below Chambers St. to promote Valentine discounts. Both the restaurants and hotels’ discounts are valid for Feb 14 only. Go to www.downtownNY.com/lovedowntown to get the voucher to present at the participating businesses.
Similarly, Chinatown is having a Valentine’s promotion, called “I Love Chinatown.” Up to sixty shops and restaurants are part of the program where patrons will receive 10% discount on products.
Participating stores have a “I Love Chinatown” sign in their window. For more information call (212) 625 9577 or www.chinatowninfo.com .
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