Photo courtesy of the Mattress Factory

This year Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday, February 14, and there are several Northside events happening to celebrate the holiday that could be enjoyed with a significant other or a group of friends.

The Children’s Museum

Those 21+ can head to the Children’s Museum for a MAKEnight of “My Snarky Valentine” from 6:30-9:30 p.m. tonight. Food and drink will be provided by Slice on Broadway and the Museum’s Big Red Room Café. Tickets may be purchased in advance online by clicking here (Adults $20, Students $15) or at the door (Adults & Students $25), and include light fare, drinks and all activities. Alcohol beverages (beer and wine) are complimentary.

Snarky Valentine activities include:

• Tell someone what’s in your heart–make a shrinky-dink heart with your favorite pillow talk phrase
• Roses are red, violets are blue, make your own gold leaf Valentine since I’m not going to
• Flowers die, so make a bouquet from recycled materials
• Silkscreen a love note
• Forecast your future while reliving your childhood with a cootie catcher paper fortune teller
• Dry your tears with a handmade hankie with Spool
• Take out your frustrations on your own pincushion person
• Let pizza be your date while you enjoy food from the Break-Up Food Bar
• Decorate your own Eat ‘n Park Smiley (or snarky?) cookie
• Cuddle up to some furry friends from the Animal Rescue League
• Learn some new moves with Los Sabrosos Dance Company

Breakfast In Bed: Love Is All You Need

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Mattress Factory, 505 Jacksonia St., wants you to show your sweetheart some love at a 21+ brunch at the museum on Sunday, February 12. Enjoy Salud Juicery mimosas, Bloody Marys with Ustianochka – Real Russian Vodka vodka, brews from War Streets Brewery, a continental breakfast from the MF Café, and FREE museum admission. Don’t leave without meeting adoptable pets from Animal Friends, creating a medallion for your valentine, or exploring the museum!

Tickets includes two drinks of your choice, a buffet-style breakfast and exclusive access to the museum’s galleries before they’re open to the public.

MF Members get the best deal on tickets – only $20! For the special discount code, please contact stella@mattress.org.

All attendees must check-in at 505 Jacksonia Street. On-street is parking available. Additional parking will be available at 1300 Brighton Road lot.

Valentine’s Day SkyWatch

The Science Center is hosting an evening under the stars with SkyWatch, where attendees are given a virtual tour of the night sky in the Henry Buhl, Jr. Planetarium and after head to the Science Center’s rooftop observatory to look through the 16-inch Meade Lx200 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and get up-close and personal with celestial objects. The telescope is powerful enough for guests to see Saturn’s rings and details on the lunar surface.

SkyWatch is presented twice: once at 7 pm and again at 9 pm. SkyWatch happens rain or shine. The cost is $4 for non-members and $2 for museum members, or as an add on to general Science Center admission or an Omnimax movie.

If you have your own fully assembled telescope and bring it to share with others, you can attend SkyWatch for free.

Love Bites and a Tuesday Toast

Dinner For 2 invites couples to attend the appropriately titled “Love Bites and a Tuesday Toast” from 6:30-9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14 at the Allegheny Inn, 1010 Cedar Ave.

Expect bites from Sprezzatura, the North Shore Deli, Dorothy’s Candies, and Paddycake.  Plus, enjoy savory sips courtesy of Penn Brewery and Gigi’s Wine, and a cascade of flowing chocolate that will cover most anything, all for $50 per person.

Also, expect a tour of the inn, that includes a new art exhibit, music, and the event will be hosted by John Chamberlin of the famed Pittsburgh Podcast YaJagoff!  Pre-registration is required at www.dinnerfor8pgh.com

Dinner at The Foundry

Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and so is the locally-owned & locally-sourced Gastropub & New-American Eatery; The Foundry, 381 N. Shore Dr.  Check out these duos for your love day celebration:

Beef Short Rib & Lemongrass Poached Lobster Tail

Red Curry Jus, Parsnip-Coconut Puree, Oyster Mushroom, Black Radish 

Charred Wild Boar Rack and Braised Pork Belly

Red Wine Mustard Emulsion, Merlot Braised Red Cabbage, Poached Apple, Glazed Kohlrabi 

Huszar

Not revealing too much of the anticipated menu, Huszar announced that Chef Peter will be offering Cream of Strawberry Soup along with a Surf or Turf option of steak or salmon on Tuesday, February 14. The restaurant asks that guests call for reservations to secure a table.

James Street Gatropub & Speakeasy

From 8-11 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, Cliff Barnes, Claude Flowers & James Johnson will be performing in the Speakeasy and there is a $10 cover. Before the show, guests can grab dinner in the Dining Room for Taco Night with $3 Coronas and $2 hard or soft shell beef, chicken, or bean tacos from 5-10 p.m.