What’s Hot with Lena


Episode 5:
Valentine Shmaletine’s


Queue Love by Keyshia Cole

Written by: Magdalena O’Neal

February 09, 2024


The only cancellable thing I’ve said in the last year is screaming at the top of my lungs “LOVE WINS” in reference to my very heterosexual relationship—I know it’s not our slogan, but love do be winning!

It’s such a nice feeling to sit back and just be in love, hold hands, give little kisses, and have someone to occasionally use as your emotional punching bag (sorry, baby).



Since Valentine’s Day is approaching with extreme haste, we must hunker down and prepare for the impact of public declarations of love, teddy bears, and incredibly mid chocolates. If you’re winning at love, that should be something you are excited about every day, not just on a day that attempts to rob you of every penny in your bank account.

For me, Valentines’ Day has never been about romantic connections, it’s always been about family. My mom’s birthday is on v-day, so we would always get dinner, go to a movie, or do something together.

Last year we ran it up at Disneyland, one of our family happy places. If you didn’t know, now you know—I am a Disney adult, I’ll go into that one day when I feel like opening myself up to extreme criticism.



While I hate the holiday, I do love getting dinner, so I will succumb to offering a few suggestions of places to eat on either the 14th or hopefully any other day of the year for a sweet date night.

Plus, keep reading for a few chocolate brands that deserve a spot on your v-day spread—no more Lindt truffles!

New York City


These spots are hot, delicious, and offer menus that should be explored in depth, so order until you can’t take another bite.


Frenchette 

I love it here, I love the ambiance, I love the food, the service, and the extensive natural wine list that surpasses most NYC establishments and is super out of left field for a French restaurant.

Mao Mao

This is the perfect spot to take your sneaky link or for your long term lover who also doesn’t care about Valentine’s Day. The traditional Thai dishes are so insanely good you won’t even mind eating off of paper plates. Take a look at the porn on the walls and sit back and enjoy the live dj and film screenings.

Superiority Burger

While this is a burger spot at heart, the mostly plant-based menu offers some wildly delicious culinary gems. The collard green sandwich, any and all rotating specials, and of course the burger are must orders. Their dessert selection also reigns supreme.

Los Angeles


Sushi Zo

This is the best strip mall omakase I may have ever had in my life? Yeah, I think it is. If you wanna show your lover that you’re a big baller, get the sake with flecks of gold in it.

Jitlada

Just go and get whatever you want and bring a nice bottle of wine and pay the corkage and tell Jazz that she’s the best chef ever, because in my opinion she is. Nothing says I love you like mango sticky rice and head on spicy prawns.

Found Oyster

While they don’t accept reservations, this is the perfect spot to take your lover. While you wait an hour for a table you can sip on natural wine, stare into each other's eyes, and tell each other how much you love one another over and over. Then, once you get a table, order one of everything. Just do it.


Chocolates Actually Worth Eating

Deux Cranes

This Los Angeles-based chocolate company has some of the most inventive and truly delicious bars of chocolate I’ve had the pleasure of tasting. The vegan passionfruit bar is so sexy and delicious. Plus, all of the chocolates are so pretty.



Casa Bosques Chocolate

Casa Bosques is a multidisciplinary design space, agency, book store, hotel, and amazing chocolatier. Their chocolates are made in Mexico City with local ingredients and interesting flavor combinations that deserve a spot on any Valentine’s Day spread. Pictured below is the black toasted sesame, cocoa shell, and nibs bar.



Dandelion Chocolate

I’m such a Bay Area girl at heart. I remember skipping school in the afternoon and going to the Ferry Building with my dad for a grilled cheese from Cowgirl Creamery and a hot chocolate from Dandelion. Their assortment of confections are pure and delicious. These fig truffles are perfect for the person in your life who doesn’t love super sweet desserts.



You’re welcome! That’s What’s Hot :)

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