Valentine's Day Date and Gift Ideas in Stratford

It's crunch time, ladies and gentlemen -- tomorrow is Valentine's Day.

If you are a last-minute gift-buyer, here are a few spots in Stratford to get your significant other a gift, some flowers, as well as a couple places to call in a reservation.

First things first:

CARDS

In addition to greeting cards, Owner Jeff Weiss offers an assortment of gifts and toys for all occasions. And according to a comment in the linked article above, gift wrapping is complimentary.  

Open Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 203.870.6550.

Miller's Hallmark carries a large selection of cards. They also offer gift wrapping, gift bags, small gifts and fine collectibles.  

Open Monday and Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 203.377.1280.

Sells greeting cards, flowers and small gifts. Open daily, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 203.383.7735.

Sells greeting cards, flowers and small gifts. Open daily, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call 203.383.7741.

FLOWERS

Booth House of Flowers has dozens of Valentine's Day bouquets to choose from. Booth also offers fruit and gift baskets and delivers to residents in the Stratford area. Ordering online is an option.

Open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 203.377.7101.

"There's still time to send Valentine's Day Flowers," says Hovan's website. Same-day delivery is available for customers who purchase before noon on that day. Delivery to Stratford residents costs $10.

Open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 203.378.2648.

Phyl's has their website colored pink for Valentine's Day. Some of their featured holiday gifts include a Godiva Valentino Bear ($30), a Godiva Heights of Passion Valentine Tower ($60), and a dozen roses with a bear ($90). Same-day delivery available.

Open Monday and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 203.377.1114.

Florists at The Flower Basket have been serving the Stratford community for more than 40 years. They offer unique arrangements, tropical and exotic flowers.

Open Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 203.378.3572.

RESTAURANTS

An Italian eatery that opened in 2005 by Biagio Barone, Biagio's Osteria has a rustic setting and offers freshly made pasta, sauce made individually for each order, organic vegetables, fresh seafood and only grass-fed meat. View their menu on their website where there's also an option to make a reservation.  

Open Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 4 to 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m. Call 203.375.9071. 

Sitting Duck Tavern (3694 Main Street)

A sister restaurant of the Southport Brewing Company restaurant group, Sitting Duck Tavern is relatively new to Paradise Green. The menu features a selection of salads, burgers, seafood and chicken dishes. And of course, there's duck (the duck wings are a must-have app). There's also at the bar.

Open Monday - Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (kitchen closes at 10); Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to midnight (kitchen closes at 9). Call 203.873.0871.

Blue Point Grill offers a menu of seafood and steaks, pasta dishes and pork. The restaurant aims to bring the taste of New York to Stratford. The owner is a former partner at Danny's Drive-in.

Open Monday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Tuesday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m. Call 203.375.2583

Located right on the Housatonic, Outriggers specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. The restaurant offers a "Dinner for 2" for $40, which includes a bottle of wine, a starter (soup, salad or fried calamari), an entree (tilapia, steak, chicken, pasta) and dessert.

Open Monday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 203.377.8815.

Bossa Nova is a Brazilian restaurant that serves a variety of beef, pork, lamb, turkey and chicken dishes that are prepared fresh every day. Patrons can build their own salad and side dishes at the buffet, which features items like fried bananas rice, beans, salsa, Farofa (toasted flour) and Pao de Queijo (cheese bread).

Open Tuesday - Thursday, 4 to 10 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Closed Monday. Call 203.381.9200.

NO VALENTINE THIS YEAR?

Here are six tips from wikiHow.com on how to make it through Valentine's Day sans a valentine.

1. Relax. When you get home, make some hot chocolate and settle in your favorite chair. Renting a movie or two is a good way to go also.
2. Call up your friends if you don't feel like staying in all night Get some dinner or just hang out. Just something! If you go to a club, you could flirt with more than a few guys/girls.
3. Make valentines for all the special people in your life -- your friends, your neighbor, or anyone that's in a bad mood that day! Lift their spirits.
4. Ignore the people that say "You need a partner" or "Why don't you have a valentine?" These people probably don't realize they're saying rude remarks, so don't even listen. Yes, it's good to be in a relationship, but also to be single!
5. Log on to wikiHow if you're bored that night. It doesn't even have to be wikiHow -- any website will do.
6. Get a good night's rest when you're done partying (or relaxing). You need your rest!

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Are you staying local? Tell us in the comments.