Birmingham, MI February 2026

IN LOVE WITH LOCAL CELEBRATING THE WEATHERBOYS

CHEF TONI MITCHELL SOVA LOCAL VALENTINE’S DAY SPA ESCAPES & MORE

Meredith Colburn | Associate Broker/Team Leader, Nanci J. Rands | Associate Broker, Jessica Weisman | Realtor® Adriane Dundon | Realtor®, Caroline Johnson | Realtor®, Lauren Colburn | Marketing Director/Realtor® Brooke Goodstein | Director of Operations/Realtor®

Let’s assemble the WHOLE team from the start! YOUR INVESTMENT DEPENDS ON IT!”

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Love Local

As February rolls around, I always find myself in a familiar tug-of-war. On one hand, I want to resist the pull of another commercialized holiday, yet on the other, I can’t help but savor the sweet moments it brings — an excuse to celebrate love in all its forms.

Do we opt for a Valentine’s Day (or Galentine's) date out or settle in for a cozy night at home? A handwritten card or a heartfelt kind word? For me, it’s usually a mix of both. Each of us will find our own ways to mark the occasion. But what unites us all is the opportunity to remind those around us just how much they mean to us.

This month’s issue is dedicated to helping you do just that — celebrating and highlighting the best of what’s to love in our local community.

In “Weather Bros Gone Wild,” we get to know a pair of Fox 2 Detroit meteorologists united by friendship and a shared love of mayhem who formed the multimedia franchise The Weatherboys. In “The Art of the Table,” Chef Toni Mitchell Sova, founder of Nostimo Kitchen, invites us into her kitchen for a stunning meal. And in “Balance & Bliss,” we offer our curated picks of Valentine’s Day options for pampered wellness.

“Love local” isn’t just about supporting the businesses in your area — it’s about cherishing what’s near to you in every sense. So, why not grab a cup of coffee in Downtown Birmingham and enjoy a game night by the fire with your family? Or pick up a bottle of wine and blocks of cheese for a relaxed movie-night in.

At the heart of everything we do is the belief that together, we’re stronger. Every month, the stories shared within these pages prove that again and again.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of the life you’re building. Our greatest hope is that this issue helps you love it just a little more than before.

Here’s to a February filled with love — both local and beyond!

ALI KRAMER, PUBLISHER

February 2026

PUBLISHER

Ali Kramer | ali.kramer@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Lynne Konstantin | lynne.konstantin@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lisa Gindi | lisa.gindi@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Lovy, Cassie Suppes, Alison Bailin Batz

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Aly Darin, Elayne Gross, Cassie Suppes

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kelsey Ragain

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Learn

DINNER

PRIVATE EVENTS

HAPPY HOUR

TUE-SUN 4PM-7PM

With over 40 years of mortgage experience, Tim Smith is a trusted lender who has helped thousands of local clients navigate home financing with ease. His responsive and attentive approach ensures a smooth, stress-free process.

Whether you’re buying your first home, building your dream home, or refinancing, First Merchants Bank offers flexible options to meet your needs.

Senior Mortgage Banker | NMLS#533266 Cell: 248-770-3717 | timsmith@firstmerchants.com

Request a free pre-approval at TimSmithPreapproval.com.

Ear, Nos E , ThroaT

hE ad & N E ck s urg E ry oTology audiology

hE ari N g a ids

oTolary N gic a llE rgy

Facial Plas T ic s urg E ry

Voic E Th E ra P y

For over 30 years, patients in Novi, Brighton, and Bingham Farms have trusted ENT Specialists of Michigan for expert care in ear, nose, and throat health. Our dedicated team of physicians has earned that trust by delivering compassionate, honest, and personalized care that makes a real difference in our patients’ lives. Known for our commitment to quality, comfort, and long-lasting results, ENT Specialists continues to set the standard for exceptional ENT care throughout Michigan.

inside the issue

Weather Bros Gone Wild

A pair of local meteorologists team up for witty conversation, mischievous merrimaking, engaging interviews — and friendship.

The Art of the Table

Explore Toni Mitchell Sova’s Greek-inspired farm-to-table culinary vision.

Balance & Bliss

Whether your Valentine’s Day is a couples outing or a Galentine gathering, these local picks are perfect for pampered wellness. In The Pink

Departments Catch up with Alan Longstreet and Derek Kevra — Fox 2 Detroit meteorologists and hosts of The Weatherboys. See “Weather Bros Gone Wild” in this issue.

Aly Darin

city scene

The Franklin Cider is a local Michigan treasure and tradition. Built in 1837, it’s been in the Peltz family since 1966, and is now run by third-generation Melanee Peltz Radner. Here, a look at their 2025 season. 1-3: Lions fans enjoy cider and donuts. 4: “Golden Bachelor Season 2” (and former U-M linebacker) Mel Owens and fiancee Peg Munson with Melanee Peltz Radner. 5: Cider Mill visitors. 6: Cider Mill staff celebrate Halloween. 7: A Franklin Cider Mill cocktail collab with neighbor The Franklin Oyster Bar & Eatery.

Yoga Moves MS, a nonprofit providing free adaptive yoga for people with MS and other neuromuscular disorders, held its Yoga

MS Gratitude

Want to be seen in the magazine?

1: Jason Geisz, CEO and founder of Famiglia Wealth in Bloomfield Hills, spoke to 200 men on “Navigating What’s Next” at the Birmingham Senior Men’s gathering, at the Bloomfield Twp. Public Library, Dec. 11. 2: The Famiglia Wealth team’s favorite holiday-season tradition, an annual candy-making event to prepare nearly 300 boxes of handmade candy for clients. 3: Final preparations to package candy for client appreciation.

Bros WEATHER GONE WILD

A pair of local meteorologists team up for witty conversation, mischievous merrimaking, engaging interviews — and friendship.

“Join for the mayhem, stay for the feels.”

That’s the slogan prominently displayed on Alan Longstreet’s Instagram.

And it’s apt.

The on-air antics of Derek Kevra and Alan Longstreet present an entertaining mix of nonstop banter, frat-boy pranks and an electric aura of goofiness that make for great video content. When these two are together, the result is a blend of quick-witted conversation, on-camera mischief — and a genuine affection for each other that’s both hard to fake and charming to watch.

Kevra (darker-brown hair) and Longstreet (blondish-brown hair), both long-time meteorologists at Fox 2 Detroit, interviewed for the same position in 2011. Kevra got the job but declined, and it was offered to Longstreet. Two years later, Kevra interviewed again and was hired. When he first showed up to work, Longstreet thought, ‘We don’t need another white guy with brown hair. I’m already here.’”

Kevra’s version is a much sweeter rendition.

“I remember meeting Alan for the first time and being like ‘Oh, this guy is pretty cool. I hope we become friends,’” he says. “Twelve years later, and here we are, best friends.”

As their friendship developed, so did their antics, ultimately leading them to launch a multimedia franchise called the Weatherboys. Together, they’ve created nearly 100 segments of adventures and interviews released as podcasts, videos and animated shorts, available on YouTube and Spotify. Their entire collection is also on Fox Local, the station’s free 24/7 streaming app.

During a more conventional podcast, the duo interviews local guests, including musicians, authors and more — past guests include former meteorologist Chuck Gaidica, New York Times best-selling author John U. Bacon, local rapper Kid Jay and astrophysicist Dr. Christian Greer (dream guest? Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell). Their wackier moments happen during various unscripted adventures where they dive into new experiences, often failing miserably but having fun in the process and never taking themselves too seriously.

The content may be unscripted, but according to Kevra and Longstreet, part of the magic comes from their videographers Brian Puninske and Matt Phillips — the latter edits all the footage, and his skills have earned him the honorary title of the third Weatherboy.

Some of the Weatherboys’ most memorable antics included joining the Detroit Roller Derby team and learning how intense the sport can be. They’ve donned high heels, waxed their chests

from the stands of a college basketball game to distract the opponents and got tackled while practicing rugby with a highly competitive local team.

In that particular segment, appropriately titled “Weatherboys Try Rugby: A Series of Poor Decisions,” Longstreet tricks an exhausted and thirsty Kevra, handing him what appears to be a bottle of water. Longstreet, admittedly a “child and an instigator,” swapped the water for vodka just to mess with his friend and colleague.

Despite the pranks, most of which are instigated by Longstreet, the duo shares an unbreakable, supportive friendship. On-screen, Kevra and Longstreet aren’t afraid to represent a strong male bond, something they say is rarely depicted in the media.

“When you see male friendship portrayed on TV, they’re drinking beer and watching football. One of the things we wanted to show with the Weatherboys is that we are best friends who support each other,” Kevra says.

Outside work, their friendship is deeply rooted in their everyday lives, including family vacations together when their kids were younger. They like to tell the tale about an incident during a trip where they assured their wives they could handle five kids under four while their spouses went grocery shopping.

As they recount, they took all the kids to the beach then watched them scatter in different directions, including toward the water, as soon as their collective feet hit the sand. Strangers offered to help, but the confident dads decided they could handle it and managed to corral everyone back safely.

When Longstreet later went through a divorce, he found himself in a difficult in-between stage of still living with his soon-to-be ex

while the divorce was being finalized. To get some much-needed breathing room, Longstreet and his daughters had Friday-night sleepovers at Kevra’s house. Those evenings became part of both families’ routine, and the Weatherboys admit to missing those fun weekend nights.

It’s their kids who played an unintentional role in the origin of the Weatherboys and its ongoing success. Longstreet got inspiration for the franchise from certain videos his daughters watched on YouTube, where people did inane things like playing tag at work and trying to keep a balloon in the air.

Longstreet thought that if other people could do that and get millions of views, he and Kevra could do something even better.

Fittingly, they use their kids as a barometer of whether they have good content. “If our kids like it, we know it’s good, and so far the kids love it,” Kevra says.

The viewers like it too.

“I get stopped more than I ever have, with people saying, ‘Hey, it’s one of the Weatherboys’ or ‘Hey, where’s Alan?’” Kevra says. “To me, that’s such a compliment, because initially the general feeling (from the station) was this might be a little too silly, and it might undermine the seriousness of our roles as meteorologists.”

But the Weatherboys were able to show the station that they understand there’s a time and a place for fun, that viewers can tell the difference between severe weather coverage and lighthearted content and that they can balance professionalism with play. Once they achieved that, they’ve only looked forward.

Kevra adds that what started as, ‘I don’t know, guys …’ quickly turned into, ‘These are great. How many can you do a month?’

THE ART OF THE TABLE

EXPLORE TONI MITCHELL SOVA’S GREEKINSPIRED FARM-TO-TABLE CULINARY VISION.

Some legacies are inherited. Others are earned through decades of dedication, an artist’s eye and the kind of customer service that feels like family. For Toni Mitchell Sova, it’s both.

Greek-American Chef Toni, as she’s known — a private event chef, food stylist and founder of Nostimo Kitchen (Greek for “tasty”) — grew up in the world of the celebrated Mitch’s Tavern in Waterford, where she learned what she calls the “restaurant hustle” before she could drive. Sova’s father, Bill Mitchell, and uncle Tony Mitchell opened Mitch’s with her paternal grandparents, creating a beloved Michigan institution known for its generous portions, famous Greek salad (crafted by Sova’s grandmother Ella: She added beets to the traditional Greek salad, making it a Detroit legacy) and the legendary pizza and breadsticks. At just 11 years old, Sova was boxing carryout orders; by 18, she graduated to waitress. The work was relentless, but it planted deep inside her something essential: an understanding that hospitality isn’t just about feeding people — it’s about taking care of them.

“My dad was a very Old-World Greek guy,” she says. “He had a true love of food, was a butcher in the Navy, he collected Gourmet magazines back to the 1950s — which I still have today. He was a special guy. So was my uncle.

THE Lunch

“Bill and Tony made everything together. That’s why they had such a successful partnership,” Sova says. “Never in my life have I seen two partners so in-sync. They just jelled. I never saw them not have each other’s backs.”

After graduating college, then cooking school in Paris, Sova returned to Michigan with European technique polishing her already-strong foundation. She ran Mitch’s banquet hall, managed carryout, made desserts — mastering every aspect of the business.

“It wasn’t until I came back that I really understood what my father had accomplished — you don’t really realize until you see others who cannot do it. I learned the hustle there,” Sova says. “I could not do what I do today without learning what I did at Mitch’s. Going to school polishes you, but you have to put in the work — that’s the real hustle.”

After marrying and having three daughters (Vassi, Demi and Athena), Sova took a deliberate step back, wanting to be home with her children. But the passion never waned. Even during those years, she quietly designed menus for friends and catered small gatherings, keeping one foot in the world she loved.

Then, about 12 years ago, her daughters — now grown — urged her to “press the gas.” One particularly transformative event came through interior designer Elizabeth Fields, a friend who gave Sova creative freedom — for menu and decor — for her birthday celebration. “She said, ‘do your own thing, I want you to put out a Greek meal like you’re feeding your family.’”

The evening was a revelation. Word spread. The phone started ringing. And Sova, now 66, has rarely said no since. “I double-up and hustle,” she says. “Even if I’m booked, I’ll find a way to make it happen. In turn, my clients know they will be taken care of.

“I’m a one-man band. But I couldn’t do it without my daughter,” Sova says of Vassi Sova, an integral part of the Nostima team. “She’s my right-hand person.

CONTINUED >

Chef Toni Mitchell Sova knows that much of her success is due to her Village — the devoted friends, fans and clients who’ve helped lift her up. In turn, she likes to lift them up when she can.

So when Birmingham City Lifestyle decided to create a photo shoot to showcase her work, Sova curated an intentional guest list. Those around the table were treated to a Chef Toni menu featuring Champagne (of course) and a salad of baby spring Romaine lettuce and baby colored beets, miniature heirloom radishes, baby tomatoes and Persian cucumbers, drizzled with Nostimo Olive Oil and balsamic fig vinegar. Next, baby spring lamb marinated in seasonings including Greek oregano, Nostimo Olive Oil and lemon juice was served Grecian style with heirloom spring baby carrots and Jerusalem artichokes.

The guest list: Sova’s daughter Vassi Sova, her mother’s right-hand person; Katie Greenstone, founder of social media creative house Market-G; Katrina Molota, hairstylist and makeup artist at 6 Salon in Birmingham; Lou Flores, fashion stylist at Tender in Birmingham; Vincent Marcinelli, interior designer and event curator at BJMD Design, Birmingham; Molly Borman, founder of Housewife Essentials, Birmingham; Kristina Penz, owner of Kristina Penz Studios in Birmingham; Laith Karmo, artist and CEO of Market Square stores; Laura Daluga, florist with fleurdetroit (and co-designer of florals at this lunch) and Sova’s niece Alexis Drakopoulos, owner of Republica in Berkley.

She helps run the business.” Side note: Vassi is also the recipe developer of Sova’s community-famous chocolate-chip cookies.

Nostimo Kitchen is deeply personal. Sova describes herself as “Greek heritage, French-trained and farm-to-table focused.” She hits the farmers’ markets — Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ann Arbor — every day they’re open, sourcing the season’s best. Winter brings menus and tables featuring pomegranates and blood oranges; spring brings peas, dandelion greens and the most beautiful artichokes she can find, sometimes directly from California farms.

Her menus honor her roots — Mitch’s famous ribs, handmade breads and Greek salad — while embracing modern sensibilities. She’s known for her lamb chops, truffle-kissed dishes and her specialty soups: lemon rice with a clear broth, roasted tomato bisque, butternut squash. “Whatever’s in season, whatever’s at the farmer’s market goes into the soup pot,” Sova says. She also travels often — including to Greece — for inspiration.

But what truly sets Sova apart isn’t just her food — it’s her approach. In an era where customer service often feels transactional, Sova operates like family. “Customer service is a lost art,” she says. “No one knows how to take care of people anymore.

“I love the idea of working and producing meals for people, making people happy and taking it to the next level. That’s the part I really love,” she says. “Making sure my plateware is perfectly matched to

LIQUID Gold

Because highest quality olive oil is essential to many of Chef Toni Mitchell Sova’s recipes, she created her own. Crafted by Sova and her three daughters, Nostimo Extra Virgin Olive Oil is sourced from a privately owned grove in sun-drenched Lechaina, Ilia — a historic region in Greece’s western Peloponnese known for its fertile plains, the mastered art of olive oil (and the ancient Olympic Games) — where 45,000 Koroneiki-variety olive trees are strategically planted for optimal root growth. The result: cold-pressed olive oil with a rich, fruity, authentic flavor that is a healthy alternative to butter. Available at Lori Karbal in Birmingham, all Market Square shops and nostimooliveoil.com.

the client’s home — presentation and plating is an art of its own. Making a salad is artful to me.”

At the end of the day, Sova wants her clients to be happy, and their guests to be happy. “I want them to have the time to sit down with their families and their guests. Entertaining sometimes makes people very nervous, so I try to ease their nerves. I try to let them see they can trust me. People have told me they never thought they’d entertain again, but they love it again, because they trust me.”

Even beyond events, Sova treats each person like they are her priority. She bakes weekly blueberry muffins for an elderly neighbor — not a client — who loves them. She’ll show up at a client’s home on Thanksgiving morning to calm their nerves before a big dinner, even if she’s not cooking the meal. She’ll drop off homemade cookies at a friend’s door, no charge, no fanfare. Her clients — many of them her Birmingham and Bloomfield neighbors, many high profile — call her for all kinds of reasons, not just catering. “The humility part is important,” she says.

“When people are my clients, I take it to heart,” she says. “They become my friends and family. I will do anything for them.”

Sova is quick to credit the people who’ve helped lift her up (see “The Lunch,” previous page). “It doesn’t take one person,” she says. “It takes a village to raise a child — and this is my village that has lifted me up. In turn, I lift them up every day.”

For Sova, presentation is as important as flavor. She’s invested thousands in plateware, sources

specific linens and creates scapes on her tables in clients’ kitchens while prepping — grape trees, herb bouquets, seasonal fruit displays — that make every buffet feel like art. She brings her own iconography collection from Greece, her own premium Nostimo Extra Virgin Olive Oil (which she now produces and sells at Lori Karbal in Birmingham and area Market Square stores), she manages the florals — she brings an attention to detail that transforms a meal into an experience.

“My mother is a premier cook — her food to this day is magic,” Sova says. “And she always sets the most beautiful tables. When I started going into people’s homes and sometimes saw the beautiful food going onto plastic tablecloths — that’s when I added the layer of decor and design to being part of my service.”

Now, every element — from the Champagne flutes to the napkins to the plating of the lamb — is intentional. Sova creates moments with each handcrafted dish. And with each dish, she carries the legacy of her entire family who brought her to this moment of her own.

BALANCE & BLISS

WHETHER YOUR VALENTINE’S DAY IS A COUPLES OUTING OR A GALENTINE GATHERING, THESE LOCAL PICKS ARE PERFECT FOR PAMPERED WELLNESS.

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

RIO PALACE SPA

Riopalace-spa.com

Immerse yourself in Brazil’s vibrant energy and luxurious beauty traditions at Rio Palace Spa in Birmingham. For Valentine’s Day, the spa offers the Arpoador Retreat: In a private room replete with cozy fireplace and fountain, couples or besties receive a 50-minute Therapeutic Couple’s Massage, a rejuvenating facial with organic Aosa water and a 20-minute sea salt soak in their Hydrotherapy Tub, plus mimosas or Champagne and salad with salmon or chicken. Yes, please. It’s one of our most immersive offerings — perfect for romantic escapes as well as pampering wellness days with a best friend.

>

THE TOX

Thetoxtechnique.com

After experiencing The Tox technique firsthand in New York, Erica Nagel brought this holistic wellness innovation to Birmingham. The studio offers three signature services — using housemade products with rosemary, green tea and vitamin E — perfect for Feb. 14 celebrations: the MasterTox (60 or 90 minutes of deep lymphatic and digestive bodywork), the Sculpting Facial (featuring gua sha and manual sculpting) or combine both for head-to-toe rejuvenation — expectant mothers can enjoy the customized Pregnancy Tox. Friends and couples can book treatments together, or schedule a private party — with tea or mocktails, of course — for four to six people, with staggered treatments followed by unwinding in the energetic studio space.

SKINHOUSE

Skin-house.com

Even from the outside, Birmingham’s Skin House — nestled in Birmingham’s historic ivy-covered Shain House — entices with the allure of tucked-away romance and luxury, while inside, pampering meets medical expertise. This elevated medspa offers the perfect sanctuary with couples massages (Deep Tissue, Swedish or customize your own with a bespoke massage curated by a Master Therapist), rejuvenating facials (try the fan-favorite Diamond Glow Facial), lymphatic drainage and wellness-boosting IV therapy.

BANYA

Banyaspace.com

Birmingham’s first contrast-therapy studio, Banya combines European bathhouse traditions and restorative rituals. Offerings include modern infrared equipment for collagen production, body sculpting and private wellness suites in an elevated, intimate, spa-like setting — perfect for self-care and connection on Valentine’s Day. For couples: Book the Private Contrast Suite for an intimate date night featuring infrared saunas and cold-plunge therapy to relax the nervous system and boost circulation. Add infrared body rollers imported from Europe for lymphatic drainage and deep muscle recovery. For Galentine’s: Gather your crew for a girls’ evening centered on detox and glow-up energy, with mineral-rich seaweed wraps that firm and detoxify skin, plus heat therapies and restorative rituals designed for bonding.

SIP, SWIRL, AND SAVOR YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUNTVILLE, THE CULINARY HEART OF NAPA

DESTINATION DELICIOUS

Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime epicurean experience? Yountville, which is nestled into Napa County with vineyards in every direction, is a treasure trove of foodie greatness at every turn. Here is how to take a bite out of it all.

ARTICLE BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ

RH YOUNTVILLE RESTAURANT

The flashy, splashy RH Yountville is hard to miss as it takes up nearly a full block along Yountville’s ultra-walkable downtown. The Restoration Hardwareowned property is a wine, food, and shopping mecca comprised of five separate experiences—an indoor/ outdoor restaurant with a glass roof surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees and adorned with dramatic crystal chandeliers; a two-story wine-tasting space with its own share of crystal chandeliers and a sleek limestone bar; a limited-production wine center; an espresso bar; and a boutique design gallery grander in scale than even its ever-so-lavish sister property at the Scottsdale Quarter in Scottsdale.

Award-winning chef Brendan Sodikoff leads the kitchen, sourcing seasonal ingredients from nearby farms and using them as inspiration for both whimsical, shareable, and New American fare, as well as twists on comfort-food classics. His team allows vegetables to shine right along with proteins, making it the perfect place for all diets. There are at least 40 wines by the glass on the menu at any given time, many from neighboring wineries. The expertly trained staff has pairing suggestions—be they wine, craft beer, or craft cocktails—for each dish, offering recommendations based on guests’ palates and preferences over trends and their personal tastes. RH.com/yountville/restaurant

TASTING ROOM TREATS

Yountville’s many wineries and vineyards toss out tradition—bellying up to a bar for a flight of wine with crackers to cleanse the palate or a basic meat and cheese board—in favor of interactive foodie fun when it comes to its tastings.

RH Yountville. Photo courtesy RH Yountville

Handwritten Wines , for example, offers a Breadand-Butter Experience. During the 90-minute seated event, guests can enjoy white truffle potato chips and Bouchon Bakery baguettes, along with multiple mouthwatering artisan butters. The butters are handmade to complement five of the winery’s most awarded varietals that are made on the Napa Valley hillside and most coveted vineyard blocks. HandWrittenWines.com

Priest Ranch , which is next door to Handwritten, boasts a Bacon and Wine Tasting. A must if you love meat and wine, the 90-minute experience marries four wines with its own bacon, each of which has been flavored with everything from honey to harissa to Italian herbs to bring out distinct notes in the wine. PriestRanchWines.com

Silver Trident Winery, across the two-lane street from Priest Ranch and Handwritten—so a one-minute walk— is home to what it calls the Potato Chip Extravaganza. True to its name, those who book this crunch-tastic tasting are treated to five types of potato chips, each sourced from a small producer. Each chip comes with a glass of wine to accompany it. The combination will take your taste buds on a magical mystery tour of flavor. SilverTridentWinery.com

JCB Tasting Salon , approximately 300 feet from Silver Trident, is home to a Caviar and Sparkling Wine Pairing. This dive into the ultimate in decadence pairs four high-end sparkling wines with four distinct artisanal caviars. Prepare for bubbly effervescence and over-the-top indulgence. JCBcollection.com

Chandon is nearly a mile from the others, but well worth the three-minute drive. During its ambitious Epicurean Experience, chef Juan Cabrera highlights the beauty of bubbles by pairing his favorites with five precisely plated works of culinary art. Chandon.com

Baldacci Family Vineyards sits at the intersection of Yountville and Stag’s Leap, and its Perfect Pairings program is just that. The nibble-heavy experience explores the science of how wine and food amplify each other, and even offers suggestions of what to pair with your personal favorite bites and sips. BaldacciVineyards.com

ROMANTIC RESORT RESTAURANTS

As one might imagine, all the accommodations in the region drip luxury, but Hotel Yountville, Bardessono Hotel and Spa, and North Block Hotel stand out, thanks in great part to their dining options.

Hotel Yountville , just steps from more than a dozen tasting rooms and boutiques and built using river rocks from the nearby Napa River, has elegance to spare—and that extends to Heritage Oak, its signature eatery. Guests in the know always arrive prior to their reservations for killer craft cocktails (and adult popsicles!) at the Y Bar before being seated for elevated comfort food infused with wine country sophistication. HotelYountville.com

Bardessono Hotel and Spa is approximately two blocks from Hotel Yountville. The striking, sprawling LEED Platinum Certified property, situated within its own vineyard, is committed to providing a lavish experience for guests and diners within a sustainable environment. Its world-renowned Lucy Restaurant & Bar—named for the Bardessono family’s matriarch—serves up craveable farm-to-fork dishes with global flair, using ingredients from the hotel’s orchards, on-site certified organic farming garden, and similarly minded farms and purveyors across the region. Bonus: The dog-friendly restaurant also has a menu for pups. Bardessono.com

North Block Hotel, which is nearly next door to RH Yountville, features all things wood-fired and wonderful at its primarily al fresco Restaurant at North Block. Beyond the gorgeous grilled main dishes, North Block is a happy hour hot spot thanks to its daily Oyster Hour, where fresh oysters are just $1, as well as a local craft beer selection and seasonally changing menu of scrumptious sourdough pizzas. NorthBlockHotel.com

CELEB CHEF SUPPER CLUB

No gourmet guide to Yountville would be complete without some stargazing. Many of the world’s most celebrated celebrity chefs sharpen their knives and showcase their skills in Yountville.

French Laundry helped put the region on the map. The prix fixe spot—named by Anthony Bourdain as the best restaurant in the world—is one of the only restaurants to hold three Michelin stars. Every dish tells a story, and every visit is unique. Founder Thomas Keller is a veteran of several Food Network shows, a staple of talk shows, and a guest judge on Top Chef. FrenchLaundry.com

Mustards Grill , a casual, yet elegant spot, is known for American fare and is named to honor Napa’s yellow mustard flowers that provide vital nutrients to the vines. The restaurant is covered in them, save for the space carved out for its organic garden. Its founder is bestselling cookbook author and Top Chef: Masters contender Cynthia Pawlcyn. MustardsGrill.com

Bottega Napa Valley excels at bold Italian flavors in a dizzyingly delicious setting complete with dreamy stone fireplaces and glass chandeliers. Emmy® award-winning chef Michael Chiarello helms Bottega, always seeking to authentically connect guests with the flavors from his family’s roots in Southern Italy. BottegaNapaValley.com

Bistro Jeanty brings the French countryside to Yountville. The brainchild of Michelin star and James Beard Award-winner Philippe Jeanty, the bistro has been a Napa staple since 1998. Today, Philippe’s daughter Camille continues his legacy, creating each menu as an homage to her father’s favorite childhood food memories from his native France, and diners taste the love in every bite. BistroJeanty.com

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IN THE PINK

Valentine’s gifts and goodies — to wear and to share.

ARTICLE BY LYNNE KONSTANTIN

Pleats, cutouts, juicy colors: Amur’s Elodie Satin Color-Block Gown, made with recycled polyester from PET water bottles. Saks Fifth Ave., Somerset Collection, Troy; saks.com.

Our favorite kind of jelly: Kiara Sky’s juicy Jelly Tint translucent gel polish in Beauty Queen is a peachyreddish dream. Amazon.com.

The Carys Mock-Neck L’Amour Sweater by Maeve — super soft, super sweet, in White Cabbage. Area Anthropologie stores; anthropologie.com.

Handmade with a yellow-gold band, this Pink Tourmaline Elizabeth Stone Ring is wrapped in 14K gold. Zieben Mare, Franklin; ziebenmare.com.

Place an order for Sugar Shack’s deliciously adorable To Gnome You is to Love You Valentine Box of cake balls and caramelwrapped mini pretzel rods (or one of Bloomfield Hills-based Rani France’s other holiday-themed confections), in flavors including Red Velvet, Cherry Pie and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Sugar Shack, Bloomfield Hills; sugarshackbakingllc.com.

Total babe: cropped Babe Faux Mink Jacket by Frances Valentine (of course) is plush and polished. Area Nordstrom stores; nordstrom.com.

Twin with your mini-me on a mommy-daughter date: Crewcuts Collection Cropped Faux-Fur Jacket J. Crew, the Somerset Collection, Troy; jcrew.com.

Almost delicious enough to eat: The Pink Reef crystal Ocean Necklace. Area Anthropologie stores; anthropologie.com.

Stop and smell the cozy roses wrapped up in the irresistibly fluffy Let’s Get Cozy Plush Floral Print Blanket Guys N Gals, West Bloomfield; shopguysngals.com.

Stunning: Valentino Garavani’s DeVain Small Shoulder Bag in jacquard fabric in an Apres L’Hiver motif, metallic logo and grainy calfskin details. Saks Fifth Ave., the Somerset Collection, Troy; saksfifthavenue.com.

Your love can travel with them: Customize this Qr Code Key Chain in Rose Gold with an engraved message and QR code that scans to an audio recording of a message or favorite song. Etsy.com/ shop/ChainsOnly.

Lasso up someone special: The Great’s The Lasso Lodge Cardigan’s handembroidered cowboy and lasso spells out  “yeehaw,” inspired by a 1960s children’s design. Thisisthegreat.com.

PERMISSION to be

cheesy

VALENTINE’S DAY CHEESECAKE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSIE SUPPES

Valentine’s Day is all about showing your loved one just how much you care. Rather than opting for the predictable chocolates and flowers, why not showcase your culinary prowess and create a one-of-a-kind cheesecake? Not only will this delectable treat demonstrate your affection, but it will also add a personal and luxurious touch

to the holiday celebration. Make this Valentine’s Day truly memorable by going above and beyond with a heartfelt, homemade gift. Cheesecake is the perfect dessert for two because it’s both rich and indulgent, but not too heavy. Plus, it can be easily customized to fit your own personal taste and it’s much easier than you think!

TO MAKE THE PERFECT CHEESECAKE,

• 1 pound cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Next, add in the sour cream and heavy cream and mix until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared graham cracker crust and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the cheesecake is set. Let cool completely before serving.

For this recipe, we decided to add berries and honey to the top of our cheesecake. Take the time to make yours special to your relationship. With toppings such as chocolate, jelly, whip cream, berries, fruit, or whatever your partner’s favorite is you’re sure to make them smile. Make things colorful by adding food coloring to the mix, it can even be made in their

YOU’LL NEED:

• 1/2 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 prepared graham cracker crust

favorite color. You can also change things up by making your own crust with Oreos or cinnamon crackers.

To elevate this recipe to the next level, consider using high-quality ingredients such as grass-fed cream cheese and locally sourced honey. For added luxury, try using a blend of different types of berries, or even substituting the graham cracker crust with a crust made of crushed pistachios or hazelnuts.

In addition to adding a variety of toppings, you can also get creative with the presentation. For example, try using a springform pan to create a heart-shaped cheesecake, or using cookie cutters to create fun shapes out of the cheesecake slices. You can also garnish the cheesecake with edible flowers or a sprinkle of edible gold dust for a truly indulgent experience.