Nothing like a Rich Auntie getaway for some culture, ambiance and—dare I say it—a little amore. Black love is alive and thriving and should be celebrated every day. But it takes on extra special meaning during this romantic week leading up to Valentine’s Day.
In my travels, I’ve discovered a few cities where our culture is heralded and celebrated through our food, history and activities. Now is the perfect time to explore just a taste of what’s offered with a special someone. Or, if you’re single, treat yourself to these outings. They say love can be found around every corner, and you never know who you may meet while strolling down a charming historic block.
Atlanta
It’s not called Hotlanta for nothing. Start with a romantic stroll in the city’s Historic West End to learn about the first Black millionaire at Herndon Home and take in the city’s visual arts. Enjoy dinner for two with global comfort food at Oreatha’s At The Point, with a touch of Chef Deborah VanTrece’s motherly love. Finish up at Apt 4B for drinks and some good vinyl, as the space boasts the largest vinyl collection in Atlanta.
Chicago
Start your day in historic Bronzeville on Chicago’s South Side for the Bronzeville Art District Tour and see the monument to journalist, educator and civil rights leader Ida B. Wells (where the Ida B. Wells public housing complex once stood). Wander over to Nitro Nostalgia Cafe, where you can indulge in hand-crafted ice creams and milkshakes (buzzed or not), dive into interactive board games and maybe make a new friend. That could lead to a dinner at Virtue, helmed by Chef and owner Erick Williams. Like its name, this is simple Southern cooking at its finest, from the biscuits and gumbo to the blackened catfish and peach cobbler, finished with a ruby port.
Houston
For Valentine’s Day, Executive Chef Mark Holley of Davis St. at Hermann Park is cooking up something special for lovers: a three-course dinner with a bonus dish and plenty of TLC. Plan to take in a show at the renovated The DeLuxe Theater, one of the city’s original “Blacks Only” movie theaters that opened during segregation, and then grab a cone from Patra Lee’s Ice Cream, which specializes in an elevated dessert experience highlighting tastes from the Pan-African Diaspora.
Philadelphia
If you’re all about a Galentine’s celebration, kick it off at Akwaaba Tea Salon with fine loose-leaf teas and finger sandwiches. Visit the Colored Girls Museum and get some much-deserved retail therapy at Moore Vintage, which specializes in high-end pieces. You can then wear your finds for dinner at Honeysuckle, “which is opening on Valentine’s weekend with a fixed price special meal,” shared Maori Holmes, CEO and artistic officer of Black Star, which supports Black and brown artists. A longstanding market/deli concept, Honeysuckle has moved into a full restaurant operation.
Washington, D.C.
After walking through the 21-room mansion known as the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, the last residence of civil rights activist Frederick Douglas, you’ll want to dine at Georgia Brown’s. Located in the Potomac, this restaurant has served some of the best Southern comfort food for decades, like fried green tomatoes and crab-stuffed shrimp. You can then see a show at the historic Howard Theatre, once considered part of “Black Broadway.”
