February 11, 2025

Valentine’s Eats, Treats and Happy Feets!

If you haven’t yet made plans for Valentine’s Day/night/weekend in Looking Glass, Parker or beyond, never fear! Here are a few last-minute ideas for eating out, eating in, and/or racing your favorite valentine to the finish line.

For an unforgettable meal, try the Black+Haus Tavern in downtown Parker. This locally owned, chef-driven scratch kitchen also offers an array of craft cocktails and an impressive wine selection, plus over 150 whiskies! Choose from an assortment of appies – like Crispy Cauliflower with sriracha aioli and Chicken Drumsticks – on an actual stick. Substantive handheld choices include a variety of burgers, chicken, roast beef, veggie and salmon sandwiches – and entrees you can order range from ribeye steak and braised short ribs to Creole Shrimp over cheddar polenta and Lemon Basil Salmon. The online menu features individual customer evaluations and the restaurant’s reviews on Open Table are consistent, for a combined 4.7 out of 5.0 stars. Make your reservations soon!

Ovest Via is a delightful Italian gem in Parker, praised for its “outstanding” food, attentive service, and charming atmosphere. Start with a classic Pasta Fagiolo soup or popular Beet Salad with arugula, baked goat cheese and candied walnuts. Move onto  what guests have called the “exceptional” pasta dishes – you’ll find your Italian favorites here, along with entrees like Filet Mignon, Chicken Parmesan Alla Vodka, Chicken Marsala or Salmon with cherry tomato basil sauce. With thoughtful wine selections and an attentive staff, make your reservation to enjoy these homemade specialties and a memorable dining experience.

Family-owned and operated since 2014, Parker Garage is another chef-driven restaurant in the heart of downtown Parker. Located in one of the town’s oldest historical buildings, lovingly restored, this local hub offers an innovative menu, spacious outdoor patios and an exclusive selection of wine produced by celebrity winemaker. The menu features locally sourced ingredients to create comfort-centric, premium dishes for an elevated night out. From the Bordelaise pommes fondant broccolini (mentioned in several reviews) to the Tenderloin Sandwich and Goat Cheese Grits – even the salads are on point at the Garage. And there’s extensive whiskey collection, as well as an assortment of exclusive spirits aged in-house in private-label barrels. Another 4.7 rating on Open Table from the patrons of Parker Garage.

Saltgrass Steak House is an award-winning steakhouse famous for serving Angus Beef cooked to perfection with Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice and topped with garlic butter. You’ll find steak platters, from the center-cut top sirloin, prime rib and “Pat’s Ribeye” to steak and shrimp and tenderloin medallions. All breads, dressings, soups and desserts are made from scratch daily and with its legendary hospitality, Saltgrass will prove to be an enjoyable experience for the whole family. Reservations through Open Table, also offer reviews that drill down the higher-than-average customer ratings.

Eating In: Pastabilities

If you’d rather make Valentine’s Day-Night-Weekend a night on the couch watching your favorite rom-com or latest episode of Love is Blind on Netflix, eat in. Food52 culled these homemade recipes to make together – from linguini with clams to potato gnocchi — 15 ways to say “I love you,” with pasta.

If you’d rather broil a lobster tail, sauté a salmon steak or try your hand at “Marry Me Chicken,” then one of these Taste of Home recipes should help you add a table full of romance to your holiday celebration. All 58 options are not only test-kitchen approved but also rave-reviewed.

And if one of these recipe photos doesn’t make your mouth water, there’s something wrong with your taste buds!

Chasing Cupid 

But If you and your hunny like to run and would rather spend your money on a foot race, head over to Centennial for the Valentine’s Cupid Run this Saturday, February 15. There’s a one-mile fun run for families, a 5K and 10K, half-marathon or virtual run (what is that, like, on a treadmill?). There’ll be t-shirts, community spirit and a post-run celebration with treats and goodies. Timing is optional and entry fees start at $32.

Celebrating Life in Looking Glass

There’s no shortage of celebratory options in a five-mile radius of the new home community of Looking Glass. Living in these new construction Parker neighborhoods gives you access to paths and parks, community connections and nearby recreation, entertainment and shopping. Stop by the beautiful model homes from D.R. Horton, Taylor Morrison, Dream Finders from the $600s — and later this year, Richmond American Homes!