Do me a favor, if something in this post saved your ass please take two seconds to sign up for my email list. I send out a weekly "Things to do in Houston" email that everyone loves.

I'll try to keep this updated as I go. If you're buying flowers I've found HEB/Central Market flowers tend to be a good combo of best price/lifespan over most other places. If you want to support a local spot Fannin Flowers by the med center is STILL open 24/7.

If you want really unique chocolates, Case Chocolates in the East End still has gift boxes available. They even have boozy options.

If you have a fat wallet, family owned Thomas Markle has locations in Memorial City and the Woodlands are the best jeweler I've been to in Houston.

I hope this helps someone not sleep on the couch for the rest of the month, good luck out there.

🍽️ Restaurants With Available Reservations

As of 5PM on February 11th the following spots have reservations available:

Upscale Romantic Dining Spots:

Le Colonial – French-Vietnamese @ Galleria – $125/person pre-fix dinner. A celebration of 1920s Saigon with seductive spirit and vivid flavors. Elegant atmosphere perfect for special occasions.

MAD – Spanish/Mediterranean @ Galleria – $150++/person. Full menu plus Valentine's specials by Michelin-star Chef Luis Roger, including Lobster Salad, Colorado Lamb Chops, and Butternut Branzino. Complimentary welcome glass of bubbly. Note: $50/person deposit required, 20% automatic gratuity.

Leo's River Oaks @ River Oaks – $199/person or $375/couple for 5-course tasting menu. Features amazing steaks and impeccable service in a stunning roaring 20s atmosphere.

Brasserie 19 @ River Oaks – Modern French brasserie meets American influences with an extensive wine list. Sophisticated interior featuring deep blues, cool greys, and white marble throughout. Menu focuses on thoughtfully prepared seasonal ingredients.

Coppa Osteria @ Montrose – Valentine's Week special: $110 four-course tasting menu for two with optional wine pairings. Modern Italian cuisine with craft cocktails and extensive wine list. Popular spot among professionals and academics with a neighborhood vibe.

Bistro 555 @ Memorial – Valentine's Prix Fixe Dinner in a charming setting with wood-fired oven. Menu includes Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs amuse bouche, choice of Lobster Bisque or Black Lentil Soup, Red Snapper Filet or Beef Tenderloin for main, and Raspberry Mousseline Profiteroles for dessert.

Mid-Range Gems:

Graffiti @ Montrose – $55/person Valentine's Week menu. California-inspired intimate kitchen and bar offering coastal flavors from Mexico, Big Sur, and the Mediterranean. Special Valentine's Week tasting menu available all week.

Ouisie's Table @ Galleria – Southern cuisine in a Texas manor house setting with high ceilings and fans. Known for generations of hospitality by proprietress Elouise Adams Jones. Excellent wine list complements the eclectic Southern menu.

🎭 Valentine's Day Date Ideas (ticketed events that are still available)

Valentine's Day @ Discovery Green @ 5PM – Free 'Casablanca' screening, artisan chocolates for sale

Ongoing – Happy Hour Friday @ MFAH @ 5PM – Gallery access + drinks

Gabriel Iglesias Comedy Show @ Toyota Center @ 8PM

Valentine's Day Comedy Show @ The Riot Comedy Club @ 7PM / 9PM / 11PM

'La Bohéme' Opera @ Wortham Center @ 7:30PM – Classic love story with unforgettable music

🎨 Museum & Exhibition Options

'Time and Space' Exhibition @ ARTECHOUSE – Immersive exhibition with cinematic experiences, laser performances, and interactive artworks.

'Space City: Art in the Age of Artemis' @ Asia Society Texas – Journey through the cosmos with works from over 30 artists.

'Picturing Nature' Exhibition @ MFAH – Features 70+ landscape artworks from Turner, Constable, and others.

'Gauguin in the World' Exhibition @ MFAH – LAST CHANCE to see this major Gauguin exhibition.

🎭 Theater & Shows

'The Heart Sellers' @ Stages – Funny and moving play about Asian immigrants in 1970s America. Ends 2/23.

'Seven Assassins Walk Into A Bar' @ Main Street Theater – Dark comedy with swift dialogue and unexpected twists.

🎪 Unique Experiences

Ongoing – Sloomoo Exhibition @ Marq E Entertainment Center – Interactive slime experience with sensory play and ASMR delights. Ends 3/31.

👥 For Singles

Imperfect Strangers: Meet, Dine, Connect – Skip the dating apps! Join other singles for a unique dining experience with icebreaker games and meaningful conversations. Perfect for those wanting to make real connections beyond social media.