Local restaurants feel the love on Valentine's Day weekend
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Restaurant Association says local eateries will stay busy this weekend as diners celebrate the loveliest holiday of the year.
Tony Abruscato, chief marketing officer for TRA, says Valentine’s Day spending habits for diners differ from other points of the year, with guests spending 25% more on their overall dinner bills.
He said that brings a welcome boost for the industry, which usually sees a slowdown during the month of January. Abruscato noted that owners and wait staff benefit from the increased traffic.
“We’re talking probably 41-45% uptick in reservations. Steak was up 135% in sales last year for Valentine’s Day, and then wine coming in at 63%,” Abruscato said.
Lisa Hilo owns The Pizza Press near the University of Texas campus and says a special Valentine’s Day offering has made for a boost in business.
-
The Pizza Press is in the West Campus neighborhood near the University of Texas campus. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
Hilo said the heart-shaped pizzas are only available through Saturday. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
A closer look at the heart-shaped pizza. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
Finished pies right out of the shop’s oven. -
Hilo said a part of the deal is a heart-shaped cookie and ice cream. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) -
A look inside The Pizza Press. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
“We got an inquiry to make a ton of heart-shaped pizzas. They wanted to see if we could do it. And I said, Yeah, let’s give it a try. And we ended up making about 300 for them,” Hilo said.
After posting the heart-shaped pizzas on social media, she said interest grew even more. Now her shop is offering a Valentine’s Day deal with the special pies and matching heart-shaped cookies through Saturday.
“It’s super fun. Just the hearts, the love. It’s just a great holiday,” Hilo said.
