It’s February—Feel The Love & Flip The Flapjacks!
It’s February, and here at the Enclave at Crossroads in Raleigh, North Carolina, we’re feeling the love and flippin’ the flapjacks! Festive Breakfast Cold mornings call for hot food, and what could be more in the spirit of this month’s Valentine’s Day holiday than cute little heart-shaped eggs and pancakes for your sweeties? (Thanks to *the Idea Specialists™* for finding these nonstick cooking rings for us!) At a list price of only $7.43 at Amazon, they’ll bring the smiles without breaking the bank. Take A Hike! After your hearty breakfast, hit one of this area’s gorgeous hiking trails for some quality time together. The Idea Specialists love the ones at Lake Johnson (paved and natural surface!), and they’re not alone—it’s also a favorite of popular This Is Raleigh influencers Craig and Caz Makepace. We’re extra-big fans because—like the Enclave at Crossroads—the Lake Johnson greenways are dog friendly! Your furry friend will need to stay on its leash while you’re getting your steps in, but once you’re inside they’re free to run. (Waste stations are conveniently located.) Your Just Desserts Whether you want to refuel after your hike or just treat yourself to a yummy, take advantage of Raleigh’s restaurant scene and go out for something sweet with your sweetie. 🥰🥰 What could be more Valentine’s Day (thank you, English writer extraordinaire Geoffrey Chaucer) than the Derby Pie at Bittersweet Raleigh on East Martin Street? The Idea Specialists can already taste the sinfully good salted caramel sauce that tops this classic chocolate-bourbon pecan pie (which is served with the best vanilla ice cream, of course). Got a taste for something different? You can’t go wrong with the Persian Love Cake or the Salty Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich. Or one of Bittersweet’s scrumptious coffee cocktails. We’re all about another classic, their Irish coffee! If you want to share the experience of a special full Valentine’s Day dinner this year (the holiday in 2026 is on Saturday, February 14), Brodeto in Raleigh Iron Works promises an unforgettable evening of romance, elegance, and extraordinary cuisine—a special multi-course dinner crafted to pay homage to the Adriatic Sea and showcase the culinary traditions of Southern Italy and Croatia. It will be hard to pick and choose from delicacies that include lorighittas with cuttlefish, parsley, squid ink, and blistered tomato; gnocchi with beef neck pasticada, pecorino, and parsley; and coal-roasted lobster tail with Calabrian butter and lemon. Chocolate & Bubbles & Pink A great way to end your day of Valentine’s fun would be to cuddle up with Champagne or a cocktail (or a Champagne cocktail!) in your luxurious Enclave at Crossroads living room in front of a cozy fire. Or, get creative with chocolate and spirits. Tasting Table has a list of 30 Chocolate Cocktails You Need to Try at Least Once, and the Idea Specialists have been working their way through it. They’re particularly partial right now to the Bourbon Ball (bourbon, crème de cacao, Frangelico liqueur), but certainly wouldn’t say no to a Frozen Nutella Mudslide or a Black Forest Gateau Cocktail. Out On The Town Or, go out on the town to one of Raleigh’s newest hot spots for your nightcap, Capulet Cocktail Club! Eater Carolinas did a marvelous piece on this Renaissance & Romeo and Juliet-inspired brainchild of Patrick Shanahan, the Raleigh hospitality entrepreneur behind Watts & Ward and Peregrine. “In keeping with the fashion house vibes, the cocktail menu will resemble a fashion magazine, with each page using Shanahan’s photography skills to tell the story of each drink,” wrote Eater. “It will change quarterly, but for the first ‘issue,’ …..the goal was to take Italian classics and put their own spin on them.” They include options like a dirty martini with truffle brine or a quattro bianchi with colorful, boozy gelatin cubes. Nonalcoholic options are also available; the club is located in The Exchange. Kisses to them—and you! * The Idea Specialists™ * The Idea Specialists™ is a group of design and inspiration professionals with a focus on communications for the multifamily industry, as well as custom lifestyle planning and more. They do not receive any sort of product or financial incentives for their recommendations in posts such as these.
