Valentine’s Day is about making loved ones feel special, which can be hard to do with the same old candy and flowers year after year.
Lake County offers a variety of unique options to make this year’s holiday different.
In Barrington, Norton’s USA is a specialty gift shop that features only products made in America. Located at 400 Lageschulte St., owner Deborah Leydig said there are a number of bee-related items “for your honey.” In addition to a selection of locally raised honey, there are also photo frames with “the bees knees” and other items.
There is also a heart-shaped bottle opener and matching coffee scoops, both made out of zinc. Prices range from $21 to $26.50, and can be found on http://www.nortonsusa.com.
“There are very few bottle openers made in America,” Leydig said. “You need them for all the craft beers, and (we) have one that’s in the shape of a heart that says ‘you’re intoxicating.'”
For the practical gift-giver, there are also red Pendleton blankets, red socks and “the best flannel shirt made in America,” she said.
“Who can’t use a warm pair of socks in Illinois?” she said.
Nothing says “I love you” like a big block of cheese, and Caputo’s Cheese Market, 231 E. Wisconsin Ave., Lake Forest, has thousands to choose from, including fresh mozzarella made on-site, according to http://www.caputocheesemarket.com
More Top Picks Best Flat Irons With Teeth
.It is easy to create a romantic adventure by starting a meal with a variety of cheeses paired with wines. Wine Enthusiast magazine suggests Gouda with merlot; brie with chardonnay; Gorgonzola with port; mozzarella with sauvignon blanc; and cheddar with cabernet sauvignon, according to the magazine’s website, http://www.winemag.com.
The Glunz Family Winery, based in Paso Robles, Calif., has a tasting room at 888 E. Belvedere Road., Suite 107, Grayslake. Friday through Tuesday, it will offer 20-percent off its reserve cabernet, normally priced at $35, and its reserve zinfandel, normally priced at $28, according to Karen Weinert, a tasting room spokeswoman. The grapes are grown and harvested at the California vineyard, she said.
Wine and cheese not only work as an appetizer, they can also be served as dessert, as is common in Europe, especially when served with fresh fruit and chocolate. Glunz’s raspberry wine is used in Tipsy Truffle, made by Uniquely Sweet, 888 E. Belvedere Road, Suite 106, Grayslake, which is next door to Glunz’s tasting room, according to owner Linda Scholz. She recommends the dark chocolate sea salt English toffee with red wine, she said.
Before getting to desert, there are several ways to bring a meal as a gift. Stop at R&V Italian Market, 13801 Laurel Drive, Lake Forest, for ingredients to cook at home, or prepared meals and sauces ready to heat and eat, or fully cooked dinners ready to serve, according to spokeswoman Laurie Bianchi.
The market offers ready-to-go or customizable gift baskets that can be made on the spot, or in advance, by calling 847-816-6468, she said. For Valentine’s Day, it is featuring a heart-shaped lasagna dinner for two that includes Caesar salad, fresh bread and butter and choice of desert, including tiramisu, red velvet cake, cookies, strawberry shortcake and cannoli, she said. It can be ordered as late at Tuesday morning and costs $45, she said.
They also have a large heart-shaped thin crust pizza with one topping for $15.95.
In Elgin and Crystal Lake, Nick’s Pizza and Pub has a “Mi Amor” pizza during the month of February that includes olive oil, chicken, American bacon, mozzarella, cheddar, onion, green pepper and a drizzle of Nick’s ranch sauce, according to www.nickspizzapub.com. Prices range from $13 to $23 and can be ordered online and picked up at either 856 Pyott Road., Crystal Lake; or 990 S. Randall Road, Elgin.
Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the News Sun.