With only a slight warm-up in the forecast ahead, we’re all going to be looking for other ways to warm our Valentine’s hearts this week. Whether you’re preparing a romantic meal, planning class parties, or satisfying a loved one’s sweet tooth, Heinen’s has lots of great ways to show your love.

Don’t we all need a little color in our lives this time of year? Bright, happy flowers are a surefire way to your Valentine’s heart. Heinen’s floral department manager Mary Zickler is hard at work building beautiful displays of pinks, reds and whites.

Mary Zickler with her Valentine's florals - Photographed by Liz Luby
Mary Zickler with her Valentine’s florals – Photographed by Liz Luby

“We’re extending Valentine’s Day outside the sweetheart box, with lots of ways to appreciate friends and teachers,” Mary says. “And with prices from $4.99 to $21.99, we’ll have something for every budget.”

For the traditionalist, Heinen’s will have red roses aplenty at $21.99 per dozen. Or, to mix it up a little bit, try giving an ivy heart topiary, which seems to float over potted cyclamen. Mary gave one to a friend last year, and it’s reportedly still thriving – a perfect symbol of lasting love!

Ivy heart topiary over potted cyclamen at Heinen's Barrington
Ivy heart topiary over potted cyclamen at Heinen’s Barrington

And be sure to check out their funky little kalanchoe plants–they found perfect homes in small magnetic vases. At $5.99, they make fun and different teacher gifts.

Heinen's Valentine's Day Florals
Heinen’s Valentine’s Day Florals

In floral, you’re just steps away from Heinen’s award-winning collection of over 300 artisan cheeses.

Post - Heinen's Valentine's Day - 10For Valentine’s Day, wine and cheese department manager Theresa Clark will feature two Cypress Grove cheeses: one, Midnight Moon, is a goat’s milk cheese with nutty and buttery notes up front, and a caramel finish. The other, Lamb Chopper, is a “pleasingly salty sheep’s milk cheese,” which tastes great melted with sauteed mushrooms and polenta–and also makes a mean grilled cheese.

Supreme brie will be on sale this week, a buttery and rich soft-ripened cheese.

For the perfect pairing? Theresa recommends we try the Mionetto Prosecco Brut ($12.99). The dry, fruity bubbles of this sparking wine cleanse your palate perfectly.

Mionetto Prosecco Brut at Heinen's
Mionetto Prosecco Brut at Heinen’s

Is beer the way to charm your Valentine? Try Bell’s Smitten Golden Rye Ale, a citrusy yet earthy brew (even better: try it with some Lamb Chopper cheese). Or go for the Ophelia Hoppy Wheat, which balances fruity hops with wheat malt–minus the tragic ending.

Ophelia Hoppy Wheat at Heinen's
Ophelia Hoppy Wheat Ale at Heinen’s

Even if you’re in a hurry this Valentine’s Day, you can still pull together a delicious meal in no time. Just swing by Heinen’s prepared foods counter, and they’ll serve up everything you need. “Our three best sellers go great together: garlic grilled shrimp, grilled asparagus, and fettucini pasta with parmesan, bacon and three types of tomatoes,” says Carol in prepared foods.

Carol in Heinen's Prepared Foods Department
Carol in Heinen’s Prepared Foods Department

It’s the fastest meal you could imagine, and Carol says it even tastes great cold! You can’t get easier than that.

Shrimp, fettucini, and asparagus from Heinen's prepared foods - Photographed by Liz Luby
Shrimp, fettucini, and asparagus from Heinen’s prepared foods – Photographed by Liz Luby

To spoil your dearest, stop over to the seafood counter on Friday the 14th for your fresh, live Maine lobsters. At $9.99 per pound, these sweet crustaceans are the perfect way to woo your lover. Quantities are limited, though – when they’re gone, they’re gone!

Heinen's will have live Maine lobster on Valentine's Day
Heinen’s will have live Maine lobster on Valentine’s Day

Or try the beautiful stuffed salmon, with spinach or crab filling. Just bake them at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, and voilà: a beautiful presentation, without the work. And I highly recommend the new wild-caught shrimp from Mexico ($24.99/lb.), cooked in store. It’s delicious with just a bit of cocktail sauce, or ready to take center stage in your favorite recipe. Heinen’s will also feature strip steak and gourmet tenderloin filets – the perfect counterpoint to lobster and shrimp.

And save some room for after dinner, because bakery, deli, and prepared foods manager Vieve Squires has assembled quite a collection of tempting treats.

Vieve Squires in Heinen's Bakery
Vieve Squires in Heinen’s Bakery

“The Belgian chocolate truffle heart cake ($11.99) is a favorite, which is chocolate cake with a layer of fudge in the center. And our Red Velvet Heart Cake ($9.99) is frosted with white buttercream.” Both petite heart cakes are just the right size for two lovebirds or a sweet little family.

Need a quick snack for Valentine’s parties? Heinen’s has pink and red heart cookies that would make any kid smile. Vieve says they dust them with coarse sugar, and bake them onsite. Or grab some scrumptious cupcakes, piled high with yummy frosting, then topped with sprinkles for an extra sweet touch. You can buy 4 for $2.40 –what’s not to love?

Cupcakes, Red Velvet, and Truffle Hearts - Oh my! - Photographed by Liz Luby
Cupcakes, Red Velvet, and Belgian Chocolate Truffle Hearts – Oh my! – Photographed by Liz Luby

The perfect way to end your Valentine’s Day? With strawberries dipped in Caillebaut chocolate ($2. 49), and a bubbly toast – ooh la la!

Be sure to stop into Heinens’ on Thursday, February 13, from 1-6 p.m. and on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14, from 1-7 p.m. to taste these great meal ideas and sip perfect wine pairings. They’ll be featuring Maraia Barbera del Monferrato from Marchesi di Barolo (on sale for $12.99), and Aloxe-Corton from Louis Latour (on sale for $42.99).

Maraia Barbera del Monferrato from Marchesi di Barolo at Heinen's
Maraia Barbera del Monferrato from Marchesi di Barolo at Heinen’s

Heinen’s Grocery is located at 500 N. Hough Street, between E. Main Street and Route 14 (next to Meathead’s) in Barrington, Illinois. They’re open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit Heinens.com.

Heinen's Grocery Store in Barrington, Illinois
Heinen’s Grocery Store in Barrington, Illinois

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