Special Report: New Ideas For Valentine's Day

If this is your idea of Valentine’s Day. Trend-setters say, you might have it all wrong.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"Let's picture a stereo-typical Valentines Day date, they might be a maitre'd in a white coat, there might be violins. It's just so stilted and it's dark and gothic almost. Why not go someplace actually cool with really, really good food?"

So what is a cool place with good food? Style guru Danielle Romano from Daily Candy, a free email full of hidden hot spots in the hub, suggests the Channel Cafe in Boston.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"It's subtle, it's cool, you can have amazing conversation, some great wine. It's an award-winning date in my book."

There's no way Cupid can strike without flowers. But you have to be creative when it comes to picking petals.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"A dozen red roses with baby's breath that you maybe got from the grocery store, but why not take it up a notch without breaking the bank?"

To do that Danielle says check out Cambridge's hidden gem, Bow Street Fowers

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"They ask you what you like, they follow your instructions, and make a much more thoughtful, much more loving, meticulously done and ultimately more beautiful arrangement."

Cooking for your cutie this Valentine’s Day? Don’t forget the wine. The hottest new spot for the best bottles Vino Divino's in Newton.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"Seventy percent of what they sell is under $20, if you can believe that. These are wine lovers who own it, gone through, picked all the best, the most delicious, least expensive and presented it to you in a beautiful way. The people there will help you bring home the most delicious wines to knock the socks off your Valentine."

And forget about heart shaped boxes filled with mystery chocolates, A classic Boston bakery has a new way of showing your affection.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"Have you heard of anything more romantic than a cake for two? "

Cafe Vanille in Duxbury and in Boston is serving up a heart shaped cake for the special day.

Dannielle Romano, DailyCandy.com
"It's not only adorable, it is mind boggingly delicious. There is biscotti in there, strawberry mousse, chocolate mousse, the chocolate coating that you see and those adorable pink meringues making the frilly edges. It has an amazing combination of flavors and it's so romantic."

Whether your looking to top years past or just hoping to send a special message to your mate going to any one of these places will certainly leave a lasting impression.

Daily Candy:
http://www.dailycandy.com

Cafe Vanille
70 Charles Street (corner of Charles and Mt. Vernon Streets)
Boston, MA

Bow Street Flowers
30 Plympton Street
Cambridge, MA
http://www.bowstreetflowers.com

Vino Divino
899 Walnut Street
Newton. MA
http://www.vinodivino.com

Channel Cafe
300 Summer Street
Boston, MA
http://www.channel-cafe.com