PATCH PICKS: Valentine's Day Survival Guide

Valentine's Day—whether you love it or hate it—is almost impossible to ignore. Regardless of whether you're blissfully committed, steadily single or always on the lookout for your next date, Valentine's Day puts a lot of pressure on all of us to do something meaningful (or deliberately unmeaningful). We've got an option for everyone:

1. Who: Classic Romantics

• What:
• Where: Rockfield Manor, 501 Churchville Rd.
• When: Monday and Tuesday, 5–10 p.m.
• Why: Enjoy a five-course, candlelit dinner catered by Pairings Bistro (with wine pairings!) at the beautiful Rockfield Manor for only $150 per couple. View the menu here. 

2. Who: First Dates

• What: Valentine "Date Night" with three-course prix fixe menu
• Where: The Open Door Cafe, 528 Baltimore Pike
• When: Saturday to Monday
• Why: When it comes to first dates, it's important to impress without appearing to try too hard. Open Door Cafe offers fantastic food in a casual atmosphere. The special menu boasts a delicious selection of salads, soups, appetizers and entrees using fresh and local ingredients. Each "date night" will feature live music from pianists including Linda Kazmarek and Troy Lawson. Enjoy three courses for just $22.

3. Who: Gal Pals 

• What: Chocolate Tea from Tier to Tier
• Where: Tea By Two, 814 S. Main St. 
• When: Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. seatings
• Why: If your sentiment about Valentine's Day is closer to, "Forget love; I'd rather fall in chocolate!" (as seen on the event webpage) then you'll enjoy this high tea where everything, including the tea sandwiches, are chocolate. $29.95 includes the tea, tax and gratuity.
• UPDATE: This event is sold out! Check Tea By Two's website for future special events.

4. Who: Desperate Gift-Givers

• What: Spa Gift Certificates 
• Where: Visage Salon and Day Spa, 422 S. Main St. 
• When: Whenever! 
• Why: Having trouble finding the perfect gift for your special someone? Look no further than a luxurious spa treatment. As a Valentine's Day special, Visage is offering extra savings and value in every purchase of a gift certificate. Purchase a $100 gift certificate for just $85 or a $150 certificate for just $125. View the details here and the menu of spa services here. 

5. Who: Recently Single

• What: "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" Marathon
• Where: The USA Network
• When: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Why: Flowers. Chocolates. Matrimonial bliss ... or the lack thereof. For the recently-single, Valentine's Day can be a misery-inducing overload of painful reminders that this holiday will be spent solo. But USA reminds us that we're not alone with a lineup of movies dedicated to all varieties of breakups. View the lineup here. 

Travel Pick—Who: Long-term Lovers

• What: Love Under the Sea
• Where: The Baltimore Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt St. 
• When: Monday, 7–10 p.m. 
• Why: You've been dating for years ... which means that you've already had your share of fancy dinners. So this time, try something different; skip the crowded restaurants and celebrate with "a quiet evening under the sea" at the Baltimore Aquarium. For $80 (members) or $125 (non-members) per couple, you can marvel at more than 16,000 animals and enjoy live music from guitarist Richard Barry. Appetizers and drinks are included, ages 21 and up. Reservations are required, so make them here.