Ah, Valentine's Day. Some of us love it and can't wait to get balloon bouquets (sent to the office for maximum impact) and go out to an overpriced prix-fixe menu in a restaurant that's packed. And some of us hate it, or at least, hate the fact tchotchkes like the ones mentioned above are a dime a dozen, and that every restaurant is packed, and that everyone seems to be doing the same clichèd thing: dinner out, with wine and far too much canoodling. Save yourself that bloated feeling, skip the boozy dinner out, and hit up these cafes for an atypical V-Day celebration. Dessert course only, then home to snuggle.
Dessert
Okay - you only can get dessert at Dessert, and many people want to eat their dessert only at Dessert - even if they go out to eat somewhere else before landing there. Dessert, by all means a teeny spot, is firmly wedged in the hearts of their many regulars. But Dessert isn't a secret. It's a successful business model that got the attention of Forbes Magazine back in 2003, when the cafe launched. The menu at Dessert changes all the time, but tiramisu ($6.50) and the banana caramel pot du crème ($5.50) are lush, standout regulars. Reservations will be accepted at Dessert on V-Day, but there will be none of that prix fixe baloney. Because they care, and because they keep it real like that. Dessert will be open til 11pm on V-Day. Dessert, 806 S. 6th St., Philadelphia, 215.923.9733; www.dessertphilly.com
Pink Rose Pastry Shop
Another sleeper hit among the sweet-toothed, the Pink Rose Pastry Shop will no doubt be packed on V-Day. But its Victorian tea-room atmosphere, complete with the cutest mismatched china and twee dainty china cups - and the almost overpowering smell of melted butter that hits you before you even get in the door - are probably worth waiting for. Try the homemade chocolate hazelnut torte adorned with real gold leaf (bling you can eat!), or anything loaded with buttercream. Open on V-Day until 10:30pm. Pink Rose Pastry Shop, 630 S. 4th St., Philadelphia, 215.592.0565; www.pinkrosepastry.com
Ray's Cafe and Tea House
Though it isn't cheap - a cup of Hawaiian Royal Kona can cost $8, tea and iced coffees are $8.50 - Ray's coffee is so very delicious. The hefty price tag may want to make you savor your beverage, but good luck sipping it slowly. Let the tea or coffee-making be your entertainment for the evening, as it is carefully, expertly made with the huge, fascinating press behind the counter. Or nibble on some dumplings, or sip a spicy soup. Keep it light and interesting. Maybe some coconut jelly, white-chocolate cookies, or a fruit tart? Open til 10pm on V-Day. Ray's Cafe and Tea House, 141 N. Ninth St., Philadelphia, 215.922.5122.
Melrose Diner
Ah, the Melrose, where everything is made from scratch, getting there is half the fun (good luck with all those crazy South Philly drivers, and that's all of them), and everyone is served good-sized portions of the classic diner experience. Servers may be snippy or warm, and the food is consistently great. One caveat: you pay for each cup of coffee served at the Melrose, so be warned and watch it with the refills. Melrose's baked goods are legendary. Try the apple pie with vanilla sauce, or a thick, simple slab of butter cake. Let your V-Day be capped with the utterly unromantic delivery of a single check to each patron. It's their policy. Open 24 hours, all the time. Melrose Diner, 1501 Snyder Ave., Philadelphia, 215.467.6644.
E's Passyunk
When owner Andrew Jordan Michaels first planned his adorable corner cafe and coffee shop, he was hoping to capitalize off the throngs of parents who took their offspring to the ABC Day Care right next door. Superbowl Sunday eve, 2006, the day care burned down (no injuries, but still a tragic loss), but Michaels soldiered on and opened E's Passyunk in January 2007. Though his savory cafe menu is still in development (he hopes to have a hundred or so soups and sandwiches in rotation, debuting a few each week), the sweets are out and ready to be devoured. Everything is made in-house and is delectable. The chocolate cake is usually the first to go, but there are many other goodies available. Try the apple-caramel-walnut cake, or maybe one of two varieties of cookies: oatmeal, or chocolate pecan, both crisp but chewy (a miracle of baking), and resplendent with melted rivers of brown sugar. The coffee is grand, too. Open til 10pm every day. E's Passyunk, 1500 E. Passyunk Ave @ Dickinson St., Philadelphia, 215.755.2790.
