Valentine’s Day dinner and gift ideas

Celebrate love in the Heritage City...
24 Jan 2024
Discover Ipswich, Staff Writer

Looking to celebrate this Valentine’s Day?  Look no further than these specials, discounts and offers around the Heritage City.

Dinner for two at Bakehouse Steakhouse

Book in for a four-course dinner at Bakehouse Steakhouse.  The specially crafted dinner for two includes a complimentary glass of sparkling on arrival, followed by house bread topped with bacon jam and dukkah. 

For entree enjoy a shared meal with the choice of a king prawn and NZ mussel pot with a herbed tomato bisque and toasted bread; or a charcuterie board with prosciutto, smoked mortadella, 500 day vintage cheddar, picked guindillas, marinated olives, herb crostinis and chutney. 

There are four different mains you can choose from, slow cooked red wine beef cheek, Humpty Doo Barramundi, chicken roulade or a 250g Ebony Black Angus rib fillet. 

Then to finish share a dessert, either the Nutella Bakehouse brownie, vanilla burnt basque cheesecake or Bakehouse banoffee pie.  The price is $70pp.  

Gourmet picnic

The Soul Nook Collective pod picnics

Enjoy Valentines Day picnics at The Soul Nook Collective.  The lux styled picnic business and retail shop, will be open Valentine’s Day from 9am-3pm.  Picnics start at $100 for two people and include a small bouquet of flowers, grazing box for two people, water on arrival and two cafe drinks.  The Chill’d picnic includes a picnic blanket and pillows so you can pick a spot under the shady trees.  

Other picnic options are also available including styled picnics for two ($200), bell tent picnics for two people ($250 – limited bookings available) and pod picnics for two ($250).  Bookings are required and the final date to book is Saturday 10th February.

Dine at a historic hotel

Grandchester Hotel

The Grandchester Hotel is offering a two or three course Valentine’s Day dinner.  Choose from either an entree and main or main and dessert ($35) or all three ($45).

On the menu is bruschetta with fresh mozzarella, lemon pepper squid, dumplings, grilled barramundi, eye fillet, stuffed chicken breast, caramel cheesecake, New York raspberry cheesecake and warm apple pie!

Gift tickets to a show…

Tickets or a gift voucher for the Ipswich Little Theatre would be a fantastic Valentine’s Day gift.  The first season of 2024 is Ageing Disgracefully and starts 28 February and runs until 16 March with six short plays on offer.  

Tickets to the 1 March show includes complimentary wine and cheese.  The plays are: Slow Dating by Adam Szudrich and directed by Jane Sheppard, Dotty’s Inheritance by Debra Chambers and directed by Jim Orr, Ashes to Ashes by Jill Curran and directed by Di Johnston, Heading for Home by Ian Pullar and directed by Helen Pullar, Say Something Happened by Alan Bennett and directed by Robyn Flashman, Away from Home by Ian Pullar directed by Helen Pullar.  

Performances will be in the Incinerator Theatre and the Jean Pratt Building with the audience swapping venues at interval. Patrons see all six plays and the actors will perform twice.

Tickets and gift vouchers are available online or call the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 32810555. 

Award-winning dining

Take your loved one to the award-winning restaurant Homage for a special four-course Valentine’s lunch or dinner!  Lunch is Sunday February 11 from 11.30am with the last seating at 1.30pm and includes a glass of champagne, dinner is on Wednesday February 14 from 5.30pm with the last seating at 8pm.

The menu for both lunch and dinner includes Coffin Bay oysters with verjus, dill, lemon verbena, pickled cucumber; Fraser Isle spanner crab with lemon myrtle sour cream, toasted macadamia, target beetroot, squid ink crisps; wagyu flank (7+) with honey glazed parsnips, parsnip and vanilla puree, jus; and a smoked ruby chocolate panna cotta with cherry sorbet, chocolate soil, fire-roasted berries, rosemary.

The price for lunch is $199pp and the price for dinner is $169pp.

Float away in a big balloon

Couple enjoying a Floating Images hot air balloon flight over the City of Ipswich and surrounding areas.

Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights will be taking people up and away over the Ipswich countryside on Valentine’s Day.  Book in for a scenic one hour balloon flight package that includes breakfast. Floating Images will also have Valentine’s Day themed gift vouchers for sale.  The vouchers are valid for three years.

Five course degustation dinner with wine

Valentine's dinner at The Cottage Restaurant

Enjoy a five-course degustation with paired wines for Valentine’s Day at The Cottage Restaurant.  Chef Mark Naoum has created an enticing menu with mouthwatering venison and rich baked chocolate ganache. 

Try this with four exceptional wines, featuring Tasmanian award-winning sparkling Arras and the historic rare Hardy’s Tawny. This event is not to be missed and seating is limited.  On the menu is a prawn, sand crab and leek croquette; tomato consumme with basil, quail ballotine with chestnuts and cauliflower; venison with sweet potato ravioli, and chorizo stuffed date; and mulberry tart with candied ginger and parfait. 

Dinner costs $130 without matched wines or $170 with wine or beer.

All the Lovers at Banshees Bar and Artspace

Banshees Bar, Ipswich

To celebrate the month of love Banshees Bar and Artspace will host All the Lovers presented by Palace Ipswich.  

Hosted by Sasha Trajik-Mole and Iona Toyboy there will also be performances by Alexis Diamond, Binxx and the fabulous Martini Ice.  

Patrons can also take part in raffles and lucky door prizes and there will be delicious snack boxes available via pre-order. 

The box will cater for two people and will contain chocolates, lollies, pretzels, mixed fresh fruit and brownies.  The boxes are $10 each and can be purchased online only.

Doors open at 7pm.  Shows at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00pm.  Tickets are $20 per person.

Two for one breakfast!

Two for one breakfast is available at Summer Land Camels on Valentine's Day

Bring someone special to Australia’s largest camel farm and dairy, Summer Land Camels on Valentines Day and enjoy two for one breakfast!

The fully licensed cafe is open from 9am to 3pm and breakfast is served from 9am to 10:30am.

While there, make sure you pat and feed the friendly camels and browse the award-winning camel dairy and skincare products.

For bookings, please call 54671707 by 13 February.

Three course dinner for two

Mother's Day at The Barn family Restaurant

This year The Barn Family Restaurant is holding a special three course a la carte dinner.  The price is $99 per couple and includes a drink on arrival (house beer, wine or soft drink), and an antipasto share plate with cheeses, meats, grilled vegetables, crackers and dips.

You can choose from either a pan seared chicken breast supreme, red wine braised beef cheek or miso grilled Atlantic salmon for mains and there is a selection of desserts to share.  Vegetarian options are also available on request. Book online.

Gift an exclusive gin and spa pack

Gin and spa gift pack at Imbibis Craft Distillery

This Valentine’s Day Imbibis Craft Distillery has introduced an exclusive Valentine’s Day Gin and Spa Pack – the ultimate gift of relaxation and indulgence for your special someone. 

Start with premium gin and tonic, a perfect pairing that promises a symphony of flavours. Sip and savour this expertly crafted gin, embodying the spirit of love.

Then, immerse in a soothing bath with an aromatic bath milk, specifically curated to melt stress away. The milk’s therapeutic properties work in harmony with the warm water to provide a spa-like experience at home.

The deluxe eye and face mask serve as the cherry on top. The eye mask offers a soothing touch, perfect for a restful night’s sleep. Meanwhile, the face mask works its magic to refresh and rejuvenate the skin, leaving it glowing and radiant.

What’s in the pack: 200ml Imbibis Pink Gin, four bottles of Long Rays Pacific Tonic, one satin eye mask, one rose scented face sheet mask, one rose scented bath bomb and one 200g rose scented milk bath pack.  The price is $65.00 – distillery door pick up only.

Seafood platter for two

Seafood platter for two at CSI

Club services Ipswich have a special seafood platter for two on Valentine’s Day.  The platter costs $49.90 and includes six oysters, six prawns, four scallops and a seafood basket.

The main menu will also be available on the night.

Love-themed markets

Quibble Market

The Quibble Market will be themed for Valentine’s Day on their February 11 markets.  There will be flowers, plants, pre-loved clothing, food and gifts available for gifts from 7am to 12pm at the Ipswich Showgrounds Events Centre.  Entry to the markets is $2. 

Six-course Valentine’s dinner with wine 

Enjoy a Valentine's dinner at Monte Lane

Monte Lane is planning a six-course degustation dinner with matching wines for Valentine’s Day.  Bookings are essential.

Sweethearts

The sweethearts display at Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies.

Arttime Gallery and Fine Art Supplies are running a sweethearts promotion for Valentine’s Day.  The art guild have created a wonderful valentines cart full of gifts, there will also be two love-themed workshops available – a metal jewellery workshop on February 7, and a Double Trouble book binding workshop on Saturday February 3.

Finished pieces from the metal art workshop will be delivered by February 13, just in time for gifting.  The book binding workshop will see participants make a romantic gothic-style book, another perfect gift idea.

Look out for a giant candy hearts necklace out the front of the building and the sweethearts cart in the front window.  Workshops can be booked from in store or online.

Three-course dinner or lunch

Fourthchild Snickers cheesecake

Fourthchild Cafe, Restaurant and Lounge Bar is offering a three-course Valentine’s Day menu for lunch or dinner.

For $66 per person enjoy a share plate (for two) with three starters, choose from Thai chicken spring rolls, tomato and basil bruschetta or sundried tomato, feta and pesto arancini balls.  Followed by a choice of four options for your main – parmesan and thyme crumbed pork fillet, grilled Barramundi, pan roasted chicken breast or pumpkin, haloumi and walnut filo pastry.  To finish choose between banoffee tart, baked cheesecake and chocolate brownie. 

Valentine’s picnic in the grove

Watercress Creek Olives and Limes

Imagine lazing about with your one-and-only on a picnic blanket under the breezy shaded olive grove, surrounded by lush green countryside accompanied by the sounds of acoustic classics.  Book in for a Watercress Creek Olives and Limes picnic with a picnic-platter filled with an assortment of the farm’s fresh produce and accompanying goodies – olives, cheese, lightly toasted sourdough, olive oil and dukkha, balsamic figs and apricots, crackers and fresh crisp fruits and vegetables to clean the pallet.

You can also BYO drinks or purchase an iced-cold fresh lime cordial, there are limited picnic baskets and blankets and picnic tables for hire also (email or phone the venue for hire).

Book your grazing platter here, under grove bookings.

Discover Ipswich Staff Writer
Rocky the Rock Wallaby is a Sagittarius who lives at the Ipswich Nature Centre and often contributes to Discover Ipswich in his spare time. When he's not busy showing tourists around, blogging or hanging out with his cute and fluffy mates at the Nature Centre, he likes to hit the gym for a leg session, graze on quinoa salad and ponder the possibilities of the universe.

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