Who’s your Valentine in the Bay?

February is the month of hearts and flowers and Jervis Bay is turning up the romance – spoil your significant other with a date night, or send a token to your secret crush. We have pulled together a few ideas for you and your beloved to enjoy on Wednesday 14 February. Bookings essential at all dining venues.

Light up Valentines Day in Jervis Bay for your significant other or secret crush.

Orange is the colour of Love at Wild Ginger

Tame the wildfire of your love with a set menu at perennial favourite Wild Ginger (limited bookings still available via online), who are putting on a delicious set menu for $88pp including a drink and dessert.

The Thai-inspired menu celebrates the fresh flavours this kitchen is famous for and is the perfect choice for a new romance. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not start the evening with a spicy margarita, the best on the strip.

Romance among the gums at The Gunyah

It’s always a romantic night under the gum trees at The Gunyah Restaurant, tucked in among the glamping on Currambene Creek at Paperbark Camp in Woollamia. Book your table for two online and mention “Jervis Bay Weekend” in the notes to receive a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival. This treetop diner offers a 3-couse set menu for $90pp, and we highly recommend a pre-dinner drink on the Sundowner Deck.

Try your luck at something extra special from Paperbark and their friends at Bangalay Luxury Villas and Cupitts Estate, who are offering one lucky subscriber a night’s stay at each location. Details on their socials, and the winner is announced on 14 February.

Dine in the treehouse-style restaurant The Gunyah at Paperbark Camp. Photo: supplied

Love with a View at Tapas Del Mar

Tapas del Mar at the Jervis Bay Coffee Co – down the walkway from the lolly shop on Owen Street Huskisson – is promising eight different aphrodisiac ingredients in their set menu, $95pp with the water views over Husky included. Mama Kim’s Seductive Seafood feast is definitely the choice for lovers. The martini menu is the place to start your evening. Pop in to make your booking and enjoy an in-house air-roasted coffee while you’re there.

Waterfront Bar at the Husky Pub

If views are top of your love-list, the glass-timber-terrazzo pavilion on the water-side of the Huskisson Hotel is the place to be, with their Valentines dinners starting from 5pm on Wednesday 14 February. Recently renamed Waterfront Bar, the chef has designed a range of options for romantic dining next Wednesday – from a seafood bounty $150 for two, to a decadent dessert plate $28 for two. Or choose from the regular bistro menu, but be sure to reserve your table.

Love and Loss at Serotonin on Currambene

It’s almost the last chance to dine at Serotonin on Currambene, which closes its doors for good shortly after Valentine’s day. Book a table for two and enjoy a vegetarian set menu for $59pp including a drink and dessert, or indulge in a pre-dinner cocktail on the deck, perhaps with a tapas-style share plate or two. This special dining event will be booked out soon so plan ahead. The Huskisson restaurant’s last day is Sunday 18 February so if the lovers’ day is not for you, be quick and book for another time. Details of their final services are on their Facebook page.

Take it Home #1 Seafood Lovers

For seafood lovers, this is the freshest choice. Now harvesting plump mussels from Jervis Bay and shucking delicious oysters daily, matched by prawns with the right sweet and salty balance, the Jervis Bay Shellfish Market will box up your selection of seafood in a special box, with ice, ready for take-home or a picturesque picnic location.

Or choose the Aphrodisiac’s Shellfish Hamper $140, with an array of XL tiger prawns, freshly shucked oysters and marinated mussels, plus condiments of your choice garnished with garden fresh herbs and lemons. Order 48 hours prior to pickup from the storefront in the Husky industrial zone at 6 Bolton Road.

Take it Home #2 Pasta Lovers

The takeaway options at Pasta Buoy are a perfect match for a romantic picnic at the water’s edge. Order your ideal combination of arancini balls, pasta and sauce, dessert and cocktails that come in beautiful glass jars, then wander hand-in-hand along the foreshore to find a suitable spot.

Alternatively, the team will parcel up some fresh pasta and a jar of their divine sauce for you to cook at home.

Take it Home #3 Hamper Heaven

The new kids on the block at Albert N Miso are taking the hard work out of planning with their Valentines Picnic Hamper Box for Two, $99 for pick up by 3pm on Wednesday 14 February. The café at Vincentia shopping village is blending perfect finger foods including chocolate strawberries. There’s plenty of parking and some lovely grassy beach front picnic spots just over the road along Collingwood Beach.

Culburra Beach Romance at The Common

The Common South Coast is offering a great value package of two cocktails and three courses for $50pp, especially for Valentines Day. This is the destination for stylish casual dining and for craft brew fans, is also the home of Penguin Head Brewing Co. You can book a table via text 0416048815.

The Lovers Haven at Bangalay

Fine dine and wine your special Valentine at fine diner, Bangalay Dining at Shoalhaven Heads with their $160pp 5-course set menu in a stunning location. Executive chef Simon Evans – who is also responsible for the new bistro at Bud’s Tavern in Husky – and the team have designed an impressive experience, including vegetarian and vegan options. Ask about add-ons when you book such as a special glass of bubbles or some chocolates from The Treat Factory in Berry. Make a night of it and stay in one of the villas.

Cupid, Meet Cuppit’s

For the fine wine lovers, this family-run winery in Ulladulla might have the pick of the packages. The Cupitt’s Estate Valentines 3-course romantic dinner $90pp is the perfect accompaniment to the views across the Burrill Lake wetlands to the Budawang mountain range. There’s also a dine-and-stay option here, with a breakfast hamper and breathtaking rural views.

The Perfect Gift… is there such a thing? We think so!

There’s always vouchers… who wouldn’t be thrilled with a gift of future dining at any one of these restaurants?

But if you want something tangible to hand over to your loved one, try these local retailers, stylists and florists, who all know a thing or two about romance.

White Earth and Slow Tempo

These boutiques in Husky have a stunning range of gifts. Staff picks for Valentine’s day include hand-blown, rose-gold plated champagne glasses, rose petal body oil, or ‘I love you’ jewellery. Ask in-store for help to select and wrap the perfect choice.

White Earth is at 50 Owen Street Huskisson.

Slow Tempo is at Shop 2/62 Owen Street Huskisson.

Exotic Gifts at Few & Far

Go beyond roses and try a lovers’ lock padlock at Few & Far. Just walking among the homewares and giftware in their warehouse-style store in the Husky industrial zone  at 10 Currambene Street Woollamia, will put you in a romantic mood.

There are gifts for him and her aplenty, and the staff will be happy to assist. Grooming and bath products, inspirational books, wine and cheese serving kits, there’s so much to choose from in-store or online.

Zhuzh Now, or Zhuzh Later at The Salon

Book in for a pre-date night glow-up at The Salon, in the Husky industrial zone. Start with a blow dry, move to a makeover with Stephanie, and leave feeling fabulous. The open space has a chilled vibe, and they have created their own signature scent and herbal teas.

Give your love a gift voucher to indulge in a London or Venice hair treatment package.

Spa Me

The perfect gift voucher for any human is a pamper package at a day spa.

Start at By Jane Brows and Beauty for Maya Organic Beauty – both in Huskisson – for luxe treatments.

Flowers, Flowers, Flowers

Two of JB’s freshest flower vendors are at your service.

Express your love with a single stem, a modern arrangement or a living pot plant. Choose red for love and beauty or pink for exciting times of a new romance.

The Patch in Bloom is a micro cut flower farm right here in Old Erowal Bay, practising permaculture to grow stunning seasonal bouquets. While the farm is not open to the public, you can order online or find bouquets at local retails such as Schutz Garden Centre and Sussex Greenhouse.

Order a locally-grown bouquet from Patch in Bloom online. Photo: supplied

Head in-store to Jervis Bay Florist at 1/26 Paradise Beach Road in Sanctuary Point to peruse the blooms in-person. Talk to Debbie about designing a bouquet, box or vase to take with you or for local delivery.