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💕 Love is in the air
Warning: these romantic outings will have your date saying “I love you so much” by the end of the night. | Photo by ATXtoday
Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to ATXtoday.
Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time).
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re here to help shake up your date planning.
For the ones who want a night out on the town
Grab tickets to a play or musical put on by one of the city’s 80 theatre companies.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Delight your date’s taste buds by introducing them to a new cuisine — you can eat around the globe without leaving Austin.
For the ones who like to play games (not with your heart)
Head to Pins Mechanical Co. for a drink and play complimentary arcade games (or duckpin bowling for an extra fee) to your heart’s content.
National Pizza Day. Here are the best places to grab a slice around Austin while you contemplate the ultimate question — does pineapple belong on pizza?
Stat
40 minutes. That’s how much extra daylight Austin will gain by the end of February. As the days get longer, we suggest soaking up the afternoon sun on a local restaurant’s patio with a beverage in hand. (AccuWeather)
Mansion Monday
Northern Italy is currently hosting the 2026 Winter Olympics, but did you know, the region is seeing a real estate boom? It turns out gorgeous landscapes, world-class food, and rich cultural history are appealing to homebuyers. Shocker. There’s no need to travel — Austin has European elegance of its own. (Wall Street Journal)
Ranked
Austinites are among the better penny pinchers in the country, ranking No. 55 out of 182 cities on WalletHub’s new list of places with the best budgeters. With lunch deals like these, it’s easy to see why.
Pets
After outfitting a dozen grizzly bears with cameras, researchers are gaining insight into their lives in Alaska’s remote wilderness. Comparing the footage between the life of an Alaskan grizzly and our pets’ cushy experience at a local dog-friendly business, temperature-controlled and all, would be eye-opening for Fido. (AP News)
Trending
Move over, Labubu, there’s a new trending toy in town. A crying horse with an upside-down snout — the result of a factory mix-up — is the latest plushie obsession in China and beyond. If the craze continues, expect to spot a few at Austin’s kid-friendly spots. (The New York Times)
Featured Deal
Explore an introduction to psychedelic therapy and how it can help depression or anxiety. Pre-order your book today, February 9, and get bonus access to a live online summit with Michael Pollan, Gabor Maté, Melissa Etheridge, and more.*
Home
Stop settling for gutter guards that barely work and still leave you climbing a ladder every month to clear debris. LeafGuard’s award-winning, one-piece system is designed to make clogs impossible. For a limited time, our readers can get 75% off installation plus an extra $200 off. Get a free assessment.*
Community
This Valentine’s Day, put your heart into local journalism by supporting ATXtoday. Your contributions will go directly toward creating more of the local stories you love, expanding our coverage, and ensuring we can remain a free resource for all. Give a little love to local news.
Number
240,000+. That’s how many active job listings you can find on our Job Board. Explore openings in healthcare, education, manufacturing, and beyond. Roles for all experience levels are hiring now. Find a new gig for 2026.
State
Did you know? Texas’ Compassionate Use Program allows 150+ conditions to access Texas-made, lab-tested, legal medical cannabis as part of treatment. Texas Original, the state’s leading medical cannabis dispensary, is offering new patients 20% off their first medical cannabis order. Learn more, become a patient, and snag the deal.†‡*
Category
Food
🍴 A Roya meal
Gold and blue decor give the restaurant a moody interior. | Photo courtesy of Bita Ghassemi
An upscale Persian restaurant called Roya is expected to open in north Austin’s North Shoal Creek area on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Coming from Amir Hajimaleki — the chef-owner of District Kitchen + Cocktails and Daisy Lounge — the restaurant has been developing through pop-ups since 2018. In a press release, Hajimaleki said Roya honors his heritage through the Persian “art of hospitality.”
Styled with floor-to-ceiling curtains, tile, and rich colors, the restaurant will serve a rotating menu with dishes like wagyu chenjeh kabob and wild mushroom borani. Guests can also choose to try the Sofreh Experience, where chefs choose and course dishes for you.
Searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Surprise loved ones with these gifts that can arrive by the end of the week.
❣️ Remind them how you feel with a little sign to say I love you that’s the perfect size for desks and night stands.
🧦 You can never go wrong with soft, fuzzy socks that make every step feel like you’re walking on clouds.
📚 The perfect gift for any book lover, a three-month Audible membership is under $50 + provides access to thousands of audiobooks.
🍽️ Spark spontaneity with this set of scratch off date ideas that’s been featured in US Weekly, Cosmopolitan, and more.
✋ This top-rated hand massager can ease sore hands with five intensity levels + two heat settings.
Another Valentine’s Day option that won’t break the bank is Tancho, which just opened a second location at The Grove. I’m a big fan of the grand omakase menu (the most expensive option at $61 per person), which you can also order as takeout.
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‡Texas CUP License No. 0005. Please note: Legalities in your state may vary. Texas Original advises consumers to read the company’s terms and conditions. Patients must consult a physician and receive a prescription to purchase medical cannabis products. The information about providers and services contained in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by ATXtoday.
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