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The fastest way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, and Portland fortunately has no shortage of creative ways to get there ahead of Valentine’s Day weekend. Not all appetites can be curbed in the kitchen, so if you crave something you can’t find in your fridge or pantry, the city’s event organizers still have you covered. Abigail Hall and the Ritz-Carlton serve high tea, while art galleries Carnation Contemporary and Purple Door Gallery display visual feasts with works by local and regional artists to arouse the imagination. Whether you’re hitting the town solo, à deux or solo à deux, you can keep your heart as full as your tummy during the weekend of love.
Brief Encounters at Carnation Contemporary
The Tom of Finland Foundation noted that multimedia artist Michael Espinoza was the first Pacific Northwest artist in residence at the famously horny illustrator’s Los Angeles estate TOM House this past summer. Espinoza appears to have put what he learned to good use for Brief Encounters, a collection of erotic photos by 18 LGBTQ+ photographers. The exhibition opened on Saturday, Feb. 1, with color signs spelling out exactly what’s going on so patrons can’t act surprised by how shading of the balls makes them feel in relation to coloring of the shaft. Carnation Contemporary, 8371 N Interstate Ave., #3, carnationcontemporary.com. Noon–5 pm Saturday–Sunday, through Feb. 28.
Women Who Sparkle’s Galentine’s Day Celebration at Cafe Olli
Regional female winemakers from Corollary Wines, Arabilis Wines, Analemma Wines, Landmass Wines, Harper Voit and Approachment Wines are connecting their communities with events celebrating women’s work in the wine world on every level. Together, they celebrate Cafe Olli’s resident pastry chef, Siobhan Speirits, and decorate her dining room with arrangements from Heather Fields Florals. Cafe Olli, 3925 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, 503-206-8604, cafeolli.com. 10 am Sunday, Feb. 9.
Galentine’s Day High Tea at Abigail Hall
Drag queen Shandi Evans keeps Galentine’s Day going with high tea at the cocktail lounge Abigail Hall. You might not get sweeping views of Portland-area mountains and nature with the price of admission here, but you will get a complimentary flute of champagne (or a non-alcoholic craft cocktail) upon entry, along with a bingo card to no doubt play for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Abigail Hall at Woodlark Hotel, 813 SW Alder St., abigailhallpdx.com. 6 pm Thursday, Feb. 13. $45 per person.
For Your Eyes Only at Purple Door Gallery
Raechel Wolfe curated a group show of artists across mediums and sexual orientations for a steamy erotic art show. Though it will run through March 16, the Valentine’s Day opening reception will feature such attractions as a sexy selfie station along with refreshments, DJs reading the room with their selections, and a raffle to benefit the nonprofit organization Raphael House, which supports survivors of domestic violence. Purple Door Gallery, 3557 SE Division St., 503-451-3265, instagram.com/thepurpledoorpdx. 2–7 pm Thursday–Saturday, 1–5 pm Sunday.
Takibi
The high-end Japanese restaurant’s six-course omakase Valentine’s Day dinner is sold out for the night of the holiday, but as of press time, tables are still available for the same special menu over the weekend. Omakase dinners are sushi experiences handcrafted by artisans following wherever the spirit of the sea takes them, and are a lot of fun for adventurous seafood lovers. But if raw fish isn’t your speed, there’s still a full menu loaded with ramen, donburi and other small plate favorites. Takibi, 2275 NW Flanders St., 971-888-5713, takibipdx.com. 4:30–8:15 pm Feb. 15–16.
High Tea at The Ritz-Carlton
The Ritz Carlton’s in-house restaurant Bellpine hosts seasonal holiday high tea parties, and the fine china’s coming out in the name of St. Valentine. Five tea sandwich types are served on a silver tree platter with five festive desserts and a selection of Tealeaves pots to steep. Bellpine’s 20th-floor views of Portland also switch up the skyline scenery found at Portland City Grill and The Nines’ bar Departure. The Ritz-Carlton, 900 SW Washington St., 971-900-4500, bellpine-pdx.com. Feb. 15–16. $35–$85 per person.