Eight great ideas for Valentine's Day in the Shire

The best thing about Valentine’s Day is that it provides an excuse to lavish attention on someone you love (not necessarily a sweetheart). Carla Grossetti has curated eight great ideas for Valentine’s Day in the Sutherland Shire that will woo everyone from loved-up couples to singles who don’t want to mingle.

Press the flesh @ Cronulla Ink

Nothing says “I love you” like a love heart with your other half’s name in it. But the artists at Cronulla Ink will probably sway you away from such a permanent display of affection and nudge you toward something more poetic, political, arty or edgy. Maybe it’s a monogram of the first letter of your lover’s name. Perhaps it’s a pair of lovebirds or the Morse code symbols for ‘I love you’ and the day you legally declared your devotion to your soulmate. cronullaink.com.au/tattooing

Dinner and a movie @ Hoyt’s Cronulla

Dinner and a movie is a great last-minute idea for a date. But singles who don’t want to mingle on Valentine’s Day can also invite gal or guy pals along to celebrate Galentine’s Day and watch Weddings & Other Disasters starring Diane Keaton and Jeremy Irons. The newly refurbished Hoyts has plush lounges and recliners and will take your #chickflick experience to the next level. Visit Artie’s Bar & Café before, after or during your movie and enjoy pizza and a bottle of bubbles in comfort. hoyts.com.au/cronulla

Delegate dinner @ SixSmith

If you are looking to impress your other half with a feast that is a little bit fancy, you could cook it all yourself and spend hours in the kitchen. Or, you could make the organisation of it effortless by outsourcing the extravaganza to a local eatery such as SixSmith, where you can pick-up a home-cooked meal as well as an arty bouquet of flowers arranged by SeaThistle Floriography. There is no judgment here if you pretend you pulled off the feast yourself. Garnish the food with fresh parsley for a more authentic DIY vibe and pop the roses in a vase. Enjoy a post-dinner stroll to Frangipani Gelato for dessert. sixsmith.com.au/

Table for two @ Jensens

The fancy prix-fixe menu at Jensens in Kareela may well prompt a few PDAs (public displays of affection). Hey, whatever pulls your rope! Valentine’s Day at Jensens this year goes hand in hand with live acoustic music and a three-course set menu (for $100 per person). Choose between pork and kimchi dumplings, crispy skin barramundi with yellow coconut curry, and duck legs with celeriac puree, which are just some of the dishes to choose from. You can also show you care by booking a table for two at sister restaurant Summer Salt (at $135 per person). jensensrestaurant.com.au; summersalt.com.au

Paint and sip @ Pinot & Picasso

Paint the town bright crimson with Pinot & Picasso at The Botanical in Highfield Caringbah. The painting parties have become the go-to option for a range of different events -- from hen’s nights to corporate affairs. But they are also attractive events for first dates or couples looking to do something a little bit different on their night out. Would-be artists have their hand held by instructor Kate McIntyre who helps them with their brush strokes. And after a few glasses of wine, the creativity really flows. Tickets are $69 and include a blank canvas and paint, two glasses of wine and a cheese platter. pinotandpicasso.com.au

Couples Float @ La Cure

Float tanks offering ‘nothingness’ are really offering us everything we need right now. If you think your lover is on the same wavelength, book a session of mind-emptying relaxation at La Cure where two people can float for the price of one ($79) on Valentine’s Day. An hour bobbing like a cork in the tanks built for two reportedly offers the equivalent of four hours’ deep sleep. And the cabin-style tanks do not have a lid, making the experience accessible for those who suffer from claustrophobia. The Valentine’s Day discounts also apply to recovery boots, which replicate remedial massage using compressed air (at $40 for two); or a sauna treatment ($45 per couple). lacure.com.au

Dine & do @ Regina Della Pasta

You don’t need to buy into the Hallmark version of Valentine’s Day to let your significant other know you care. Whether you’ve swiped right on Tinder or are trying to impress your long-term partner, a pasta-making class at Regina Della Pasta on Valentine’s Day will help set the mood. While the class is centred around giving pasta-making a twirl, it also treats participants to bruschetta, an aperitif or two, homemade pasta and take-home tiramisu. This Valentine’s Day date with a difference is designed for couples who like to be hands on. Check the website for upcoming classes and events. reginadellapasta.net

Breakfast tower @ Cronulla Kitchen

Surprise your sweetheart with a surf lesson in Cronulla so you arrive hungry to enjoy a shared breakfast tower at Cronulla Kitchen. The two-tiered tower includes poached eggs, bacon, hash brown, tomatoes, mushroom and avocado, as well as chia puddings, fresh fruit, waffles and ice cream for $65 (per couple). The cafe at the northern end of Cronulla Plaza is run by Sarah Beresford (ex-mixologist at Croydon Lane) and budding romantics on a budget will appreciate the happy hours between 3 and 6 pm on a Friday and Saturday night and from 2 pm to close on a Sunday. cronullakitchen.com