Not-Your-Usual Valentine's Day: A Last-Minute Guide

It's the day before Valentine's Day, when really, all you should be thinking about are Eater's Hottest Chef polls, which will be waiting with open arms for your votes all day tomorrow. But if you must do something all hearts, Champagne and chocolate on Black Thursday, The Portland Press Herald has a big list of schmancy restaurant offerings; Maine Restaurant Week has a cheeky guide and and Dispatch suggests places to slurp oysters and spaghetti. Here at Eater, however, we've hunted down a few of the more oddball options for showing your love (or mourning the lack thereof) on Black Thursday.

RED ALES are on tap at The Great Lost Bear - Sebago Runabout, Belfast Lobster, Green Flash Hop Head and Moat Mountain Matilda's - from 5 to 9 p.m. for the lovely price of $2.99/pint. Why not try 'em all?

BEER + CHOCOLATE will be paired at Novare Res: eight custom chocolates from Sweet Marguerites matched with eight complementing brews, "some chocolate, some not."

RED SOX tickets will be raffled off at the NESN Spring Training Kickoff Tour at Binga's Stadium from 3-4:30 p.m. Ask Don Orsillo, Jerry Remy and Jenny Dell your Sox questions and get swag.

SCRATCH THAT ITCH at the Love Like Whoa Benefit at the Portland Flea-For-All from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Featuring live music, vintage stuff and more; proceeds support Portland's Speak About It.

MAKE A DATE to meet at The Gelato Fiasco in Portland or Brunswick, where only red, white, pink and chocolate flavors will be featured on Feb. 14. These may include: Sticky Kisses Gelato, Conversation Hearts Gelato and Professor Slughorn's Love Potion Sorbetto, among others. The selection is part of The Gelato Fiasco's campaign to bring dating back.

· Valentine's Day Dining Specials For Maine Lovebirds [PPH]
· Insider's Guide To Valentine's Day Dining In Portland, Maine [MRW]
· Eat This: Oysters, Steak And Spaghetti For Your V-Day Date [Dispatch]

[Photo: Novare Res Bier Cafe]