Valentine's Day events: Dinner, dancing, dolphins and more

PANAMA CITY BEACH — Dinner, dancing — and dolphins — are the draw for this year's Valentine's Day celebrants.

Capt. Anderson III will sail out of Capt. Anderson's Marina in Panama City Beach for a trio of cruises on St. Andrew Bay this Tuesday for the annual Valentine's Day Dolphin Cruises.  A unique way to mark the day, the 1.5-hour cruises are open to all ages and are family-friendly. Enjoy a scenic tour of the beautiful bay while on the lookout for wild Bottlenose Dolphins and a variety of sea birds.

The three sailings are 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30-3 p.m., or 4-5:30 p.m. Special discounts are available for seniors or large groups making advance reservations. Costs at the ticket window will be $20 each for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for children ages 2-11 years, and free for children under 2. For details, call 850-234-3435, or visit CaptAndersonsMarina.com. The marina is at 5550 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach.

If you're in the mood for a different sort of evening cruise, SunQuest Cruises' "Solaris" yacht offers a romantic way to experience an early Valentine's Day celebration. Guests are invited to dine, dance and cruise under the stars; the evening includes a three-hour cruise, three-course seated dinner and live entertainment either Saturday, Feb. 11, or Tuesday, Feb. 14.

"If you're spending Valentine's Day in Northwest Florida, you want to enjoy a romantic dinner overlooking the area's natural beauty," said James Murray, general manager for SunQuest Cruises, in a statement on the special event. "We take waterfront dining and romance to the next level as you cruise on a luxurious yacht to enjoy unlimited, open-water views, fresh seafood and steaks, and dancing under the stars to live music." 

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Upon being greeted aboard by Capt. Rick, guests will be welcomed to start the evening with a cocktail from the full-service bar and take in the fresh air from the sky deck while cruising into the sunset. As everyone explores the three indoor and outdoor decks, the chefs will be freshly preparing coastal cuisines in the yacht's galley. 

The three-course meal begins with a Smoked Tomato and Basil Soup. Entrée choices include a Premium Seared Filet Mignon with Truffle Potato Mash, Fresh Seared Gulf Fish with Citrus Jumbo Lump Crab, Stuffed Pork Tenderloin Roulade, Gulf Shrimp and Grits, and Spaghetti Squash and Vegetable Ragout. The meal concludes with a Chef’s Dessert Plate, specially prepared for couples to share. 

The "Solaris" is docked within the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach. Cruises will be 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, and 7-10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14. The cost is $165 per couple. Reservations are required; visit SunQuestCruises.com or call 850-650-2519 to reserve.

HIGH AND DRY

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground — but within sight of the sea — the beaches still have plenty to offer.

Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel and Convention Center is hosting a Valentine's Dinner and Dance aimed at seniors and snowbirds, featuring popular DJ Jim Lawson on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Doors open at 4 p.m., and buffet service begins at 5 p.m. Cost is $27.95 each. For details, call 850-596-8125. Boardwalk is at 9600 S. Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach.

The special menu will include Watercress Salad with Beets and Feta, Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad, Freshly Baked Artisan Breads, Hand Carved Slow Cook Mustard and Thyme Baron of Beef and Au Jus, Baked Grouper with a Lobster Beurre Blanc, Pan Seared Chicken Breast with Herb Jus and Potato-Vegetable Hash, Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Fennel, Garden-Fresh Vegetable, Chef's Special Valentine's Day Desserts, and two bottles of Champagne and chocolates per table.

Schooners Beach Club, 5121 Thomas Drive, will have a special Valentine's Menu on Tuesday, with Barry and Greg playing music for lovers beginning at 6:30 p.m. and a souvenir red rose for the ladies. Reservations are suggested, but not necessary. For details, call 850-235-3555 or visit Schooners.com.

The Schooners menu includes an appetizer of Sesame Seared Tuna Nachos; entrees including Lobster Fanta-Sea, Surf & Surf (grouper and shrimp), or Filet Medallions; and desserts such as S’mores Trifle or White Chocolate and Golden Raisin Bread Pudding with Jack Daniels Whiskey Butter Sauce.

If you can't wait until Tuesday, cross the bridge to Panama City and experience the luxury of a Monarch Royal High Tea at Willows British Tea Room, 461 Harrison Ave. The five-course meal will include salad, Tomato Basil Soup with heart-shaped croutons, finger food (Haddock Mousse on gluten-free crackers, mini sandwiches of Roast Beef with spinach/Cucumber cream cheese, bacon-wrapped cherries and mini quiche), dessert of Chocolate/Vanilla Mousse, French Macaron and Red Velvet Cake, Strawberry and Lavender Scone with clotted cream and fruit preserves, and Willow’s Blend Valentines' Tea (black tea with vanilla and raspberry).

Cost is $29.99 per person or $49.99 for two, by reservation only ($10 deposit required). Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available on request, as are alternative beverages. Call 850-747-1004 to make a reservation, or visit WillowsTea.com for details.

Finally, and even though it's not specifically a Valentine's Day event, the Hawgs with Hearts Beach Ride and Concert certainly carries the heart iconography of the holiday to the extreme. Proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association. Registration for the ride is 9-11 a.m. Feb. 18 at Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach, 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway. Cost to ride is $15, and includes lunch and concert afterward.

Kickstands go up at 11 a.m., followed by the cookout and concert by Sarah Moranville back at the Harley-Davidson store from noon to 2 p.m. For more details, call 850-230-6485.

VALENTINE'S DAY EVENTS

Here's a list of area events and special menu offerings for Valentine's Day:

Saturday, Feb. 11

Valentine's Champagne Brunch to Benefit 'Grit and Grace': 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 676 Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs. Tickets: $50 each. Tickets include a delightful menu in a historic home, entertainment by members of the cast, tour of the 1904 home and a guided walking tour of the historic district. The walking tour begins at 2:30 p.m. and takes about an hour. For tickets, 850-259-4317 or 850-270-7008

Valentine's Cruise: 5-8 p.m. aboard the Solaris yacht at  Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach. Includes a three-hour cruise, three-course dinner and live entertainment. Cost: $165 per couple. Reservations required; visit SunQuestCruises.com or call 850-650-2519

3rd Annual Sadie Hawkins Valentine Dance Party: 5-9 p.m. at The Barn at The Wicked Wheel, 10025 Hutchison Blvd., Panama City Beach. Heated venue. Live music with The True Soul Band. Admission: $25 for dance and smoked applewood BBQ buffet. Prizes for Best Dancer, Best Costume and who traveled the farthest. Tickets available at TheWickedWheel.com or at The Wicked Wheel

Sunday, Feb. 12

Monarch Royal High Tea for Two: Sittings from noon to 4 p.m. at Willows British Tea Room, 461 Harrison Ave., Panama City. Five course servings include salad, soup, finger food, desserts, scones with a choice of fruit preserves and Willows' Blend Valentine's Tea. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available on request. Cost: $29.99 per person or $49.99 per couple (plus tax and gratuity); reservations required, secured with a deposit of $10 per person. More details at WillowsTea.com, or make reservations by calling 850-747-1004. 

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Valentine's Day Dolphin Cruises: 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30-3 p.m., or 4-5:30 p.m. aboard Capt. Anderson III, from Capt. Anderson's Marina, 5550 N. Lagoon Drive, Panama City Beach. The 1.5-hour cruises are open to all ages and are family-friendly. Discounts available for seniors or large groups. Costs: $20 for adults, $18 seniors, $15 children ages 2-11, free for children under 2. For details, call 850-234-3435, or visit CaptAndersonsMarina.com

Tuesday @ 2: 2-3 p.m. at the Bay County Public Library, 898 W. 11th St., Panama City. Weekly classes on a variety of subjects taught by local experts. This week, 'Valentine's Day Card Makerspace,' led by Heather Ogilvie. For details, 850-522-2120 or NWRLS.com

Valentine's Dinner and Dance: 4 p.m. doors open, 5 p.m. buffet begins, at Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel and Convention Center, 9600 S. Thomas Drive, Panama City Beach. With DJ Jim Lawson. Cost: $27.95 each. For details, call 850-596-8125

Valentine's Cruise: 7-10 p.m. aboard the Solaris yacht. Cost: $165 per couple. Reservations required; visit SunQuestCruises.com or call 850-650-2519

Saturday, Feb. 18

Hawgs with Hearts Beach Ride and Concert: 9-11 a.m. registration, 11 a.m. ride, noon to 2 p.m. concert and cookout, at Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach, 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway. Proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. Cost to ride is $15. For details, 850-230-6485

Valentine Tour of Homes: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This annual event will open the doors to five gorgeously designed South Walton homes and introduce guests to some of the Cultural Arts Association member artists whose work is featured in each of the homes. All net proceeds benefit the CAA's Art For All Program, which provides support to Walton County schools, teachers, students, artists and arts organizations to further arts education in the community. Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 the day of the event, and can be purchased online (FreshTix.com) or locally at Smith’s Antiques in Destin, Fusion Art Glass in Grand Boulevard, the Bayou Arts Center in Santa Rosa Beach, Sundog Books in Seaside, and the Hidden Lantern in Rosemary Beach. Tickets will also be available for purchase at each of the homes throughout the weekend.

Sunday, Feb. 19

Valentine Tour of Homes: Noon to 4 p.m. See details at FreshTix.com