Last year on Feb. 13th, I entered a store and noticed a lot of men clustered like a herd of sheep in the greeting card aisle. Okay, maybe I should describe them as a herd of elk so they seem more manly. I moved closer and discovered they were choosing greeting cards for Valentine’s Day.
Most grabbed the first or cheapest ones they saw; a few meticulously read through several choices and carefully made selections. No doubt even on V-Day itself you will see men again crowding the same aisles.
Men, please read this: We love you, but it’s never a good idea to pick out a romantic card or gift on THE DAY itself or even the day before. Beat the procrastinators and show her you really care. Last-minute shopping leaves only the dregs no one else wanted, meaning boring cards, yucky boxes of chocolates and flowers arranged by an employee from the loading dock.
Which led me to wonder, what ARE the most popular gifts to give for Valentine’s Day? I Googled that and unsurprisingly in the site I checked, chocolates, flowers and cards indeed rated as the top three. In fact the average consumer spends $175 on Valentine’s Day. Hmm…either that’s a lot of chocolates or a really nice dinner.
Luckily, Clearwater offers some really special romantic dining choices for Valentine’s Day … or any day. Because romance shouldn’t be limited to only one day a year.
Ocean Hai (at the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach)
100 Coronado Dr, Clearwater Beach
727-281-9544
www.oceanhaiclearwater.com/specials-events
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OceanHaiRestaurant
Delight your Valentine with a romantic evening with their four-course menu and spectacular sunset.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber
447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach
727-442-4144
www.bobheilmansbeachcomber.com/valentines
Clear Sky on Cleveland
418 Cleveland St, Clearwater
727-754-7244
https://clearskyoncleveland.com
www.facebook.com/clearskyoncleveland
Blinkers Beachside Steakhouse & Lounge
476 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach
727-754-1757
www.facebook.com/blinkersbeachside
Bascom’s Chop House
3665 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater
727-573-3363
www.facebook.com/BascomsChopHouse

Yacht StarShip Valentine’s Day Lunch & Dinner Cruises
25 Causeway Blvd, Slip #55, Clearwater
Sunset Dinner | Boards: 4:30 p.m., Cruises: 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Late Dinner | Boards: 7:30 p.m., Cruises: 8:00-11:00 p.m.
813-223-7999
www.yachtstarship.com/event/clearwater-valentines-day-dinner-cruises
Reservations: www.yachtstarship.com/tickets
www.facebook.com/yachtstarship
SHOR American Seafood Grill (at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort)
301 S Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater Beach
727-373-4780
Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu, $85 per person
Corn Croquettes
Choice of Entrée: Pan Seared Chilean Seabass or Grilled 8oz Filet & Shrimp
Upgraded Entrée: Grilled 8oz Filet & Lobster Tail ($20 more)
Dessert: Chocolate Covered Strawberries & a glass of Champagne
*A la carte menu available*
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SHORClearwater
Caretta on the Gulf (at the Sandpearl Resort)
500 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach
727-674-4171
www.opalcollection.com/sandpearl/restaurants/caretta-on-the-gulf
Reservations: www.opalcollection.com/sandpearl/restaurants/caretta-on-the-gulf/#booking-table
Columbia Restaurant Sand Key
1241 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-596-8400
www.columbiarestaurant.com/sand-key-clearwater
www.facebook.com/ColumbiaSandKey
Bobby’s Bistro and Wine Bar
447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach
727-446-9463
www.facebook.com/bobbistrnwine
Rusty’s Bistro (at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort)
1160 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-595-1611
Island Way Grill
20 Island Way, Clearwater
727-461-6617
www.facebook.com/islandwaygrill
Watercolour Grillhouse (at the Marriott Suites Clearwater Beach)
1201 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-953-1661
www.facebook.com/watercolourgrillhouse
Sea-Guini (at the Opal Sands Resort)
430 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-450-0380
www.opalcollection.com/opal-sands/restaurants/seaguini/
Reservations: www.opalcollection.com/opal-sands/restaurants/seaguini/#booking-table
Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar
521 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach
(727) 446-9720
www.facebook.com/Jimmys-Fish-House-Iguana-Bar-234922594811
Forlini’s Restaurant
435 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach
727-441-1111
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049406031569
Marina Cantina
45 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-443-1750
www.facebook.com/MarinaCantina
Cesare at the Beach
794 S Gulfview Blvd, Clearwater Beach
727-449-8797
www.facebook.com/CesareAtTheBeach
Related articles:
Treat Your Sweetie to Dinner on Valentine’s Day
Most Romantic Restaurant in Clearwater for Valentine’s Day in 2020
Sweets and Non-Sweets to My Sweetheart