The Flirty Dozen: Big Romance in Houston

Moments after popping the question, Matt Hadcock embraces his fiancée, Rachel Flocke, as they take in the view from the JPMorgan Chase Tower’s romantic observation deck.
Freeways. GLASS TOWERS. Factories. Romance falls far down the list of first things most people imagine when someone says “Houston.” But the Bayou City offers big romance if you know where to look. Check out these delightful dozen ways to spend some quality time with your special someone.

EVENTS

Greeting cards and small gifts

If your sweetie needs a reminder of how you feel, swing by Events, in the River Oaks Shopping Center. The quality and quantity of romantic cards, the premium selection of gifts, and a staff that can help with everything from surprise parties to wedding plans make Events arguably the best boutique gift store south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The selection includes high-end jewelry, men’s gifts, art glass, and fine china. It even sells deluxe stationery for those steamy or dreamy love letters. Events, River Oaks Shopping Center, 1966 W. Gray St. Hours: Mon-Fri 10-6, Sat 10-5.

THE CHOCOLATE BAR

Sweets for your sweet

If you imagine anything appealing that can be done with chocolate, you can probably find it in this well-appointed shop in Houston’s Montrose District (see “Move Over, Godiva…,” page 20 of the print issue). You can smell the aroma before you enter, and watch chocolate being made once you do.

Ice cream. Chocolate-covered fruit. Chocolate pizza. And all things covered in chocolate, from Nutter Butters to popcorn. Get it to go or eat it here. There’s an ice-cream wing, where the staff will scoop multiple flavors to your fancy, and, in the cake wing, enough cake to get you through the worst heartbreaks. You’ll fall in love with the best-selling Aunt Etta’s Cake. This rich, moist chocolate cake lives up to every great chocolate-cake experience you’ve ever had—it’s a decadent meal in itself.

The Chocolate Bar, 1835 W. Alabama St. Hours: Mon-Thu 10-10, Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun noon-10 p.m. Call 520-8599.

HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER

Walking in the woods

Spend some time together in the wild at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, part of Memorial Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country. Begin your visit in the center’s Discovery Room, which exhibits Texas Gulf Coast flora and fauna. Then hit the trails hand in hand.

The arboretum offers a true romantic oasis within the concrete jungle. In addition to the miles of walking paths, check out the Hummingbird and Butterfly Island and the striking Carol Tatkon Sensory Garden, where you can chat among vanilla-scented flowers, fragrant mint, and roses. You can even rent out a facility on the grounds for your wedding.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Dr. Open daily (Discovery Room closed Mon.); hours for the center and trails differ. 

JPMORGAN CHASE TOWER OBERVATION DECK

Room with a view

Need a little inspiration? Take a trip up to the Chase Tower’s 60th-floor “Sky Lobby” observation deck for a terrific view of the cityscape. As it gets dark, you can see the countless stars in the sky and the millions of city lights below the horizon.

Formerly the Texas Commerce Tower, the 75-story building was designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei and was the tallest building west of the Mississippi until the Library Tower building went up in Los Angeles. (It’s only got 16 feet on the Chase.)

JPMorgan Chase Tower, 60th-floor observation deck, 600 Travis St. Hours: Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

See the full article in the February 2007 issue.

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