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Local Valentine’s ideas include James Beard semifinal restaurant, Chocolate Celebration

If you’re looking for a romantic Valentine’s Day experience, here are some great ideas that support businesses in and around the Tri-Cities area.

Your sweetheart will love these — from a celebration of all things chocolate to one of the best fine dining spots in Washington state and a fundraiser that helps stray animals when you buy wine.

Chocolate Celebration

The annual Chocolate Celebration is back at the HAPO Center in Pasco.

Attendees will be treated to chocolate, wine, live music and shopping. There’s even a Candy Land-themed kids’ zone.

In addition to local vendors, they’ll have competitions for the ultimate chocolate dish and a one-handed frosting competition with first responders.

Admission is $25 for adults, and includes complimentary champagne for those over 21. Children get in free.

The event runs 2-7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11.

For more information, visit TCCelebrateChocolate.com

James Beard semi-finalist

A Yakima restaurant was just named a James Beard Award semifinalist, one of the top honors in the culinary world.

Crafted, in downtown Yakima, is among an exclusive group of restaurants up for the award, with finalists set to be announced at the end of March, according to a news release.

Crafted was opened by Chef Dan Koommoo six years ago and has quickly gained a stellar reputation. Koommoo has created a true farm-to-table experience, making the restaurant a destination for foodies across the Pacific Northwest.

The menu changes often and with the season, and it also offers a multi-course chef’s menu for the whole table. A sample menu includes items ranging from Steak Tartare to wood-fired salmon, steelhead aguachile, steaks, pasta and more.

They’re open Thursday through Saturday from 5-11 p.m. and Sunday and Monday from 5-9 p.m. They recommend interested diners call ahead or go to their website for reservations.

Wine with a cause

A Zillah Winery has had some setbacks opening its long-in-the-works tasting room, but that isn’t stopping them from launching the fundraising campaign that was set to coincide with the originally planned February opening.

The Ruby Magdalena Vineyard is hosting a fundraising effort to help local nonprofits with the cost of the combating pet over-population in partnership with the Yakima Humane Society Spay & Neuter Clinic.

Their “Mission Impawsible” campaign will be launched alongside the release of its new Neuter and Spay Rosé wine. The wine celebrates their rescued working vineyard cats.

Winery owners Marty & Ryan Johnson will contribute 50% of the purchase price to the clinic. The campaign was inspired by their first working vineyard cat, “Bob Cat” who they rescued as a stray after being traumatized by neighborhood dogs, said a news release. The Johnsons soon realized that there’s a greater need for more spay and neuter funding.

A bottle of Ruby Magdalena Vineyards’ Classy and Casual wine.
A bottle of Ruby Magdalena Vineyards’ Classy and Casual wine.

Beginning Feb. 1 , they’ll be offering “My Furry Valentine” “two-fur” offers. Customers can choose either two bottles of Spay & Neuter Rose for $20 (Retail $32), or one bottle of Spay & Neuter Rosé and one bottle of Tempranillo for $40 (Retail $54). They also ship directly from the winery to 40 states.

Kindred Spirits

Kindred Spirits, an alcohol-free bottle shop, has moved into its own storefront.

The retailer sells a variety of alcohol-free alternatives ranging from mocktails to beer and wine.

They also sell alcohol-free alternatives for spirits, including vodka, rum and gin. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Kindred’s store is at 430 George Washington Way, Ste. 130, in Richland.