Celebrate Galentine's Day with close friends and great food

Valentine's Day is usually filled with stress and (hopefully) chocolate. We’ve all stressed about wearing the perfect outfit, giving and receiving the cutest gifts and figuring out how to tell that special someone that you actually exist. 

But women across the country have a new holiday to celebrate, one that some say is better than Valentine's Day itself — Galentine's Day. Thanks to Amy Poehler's portrayal of Leslie Knope on NBC's Parks and Recreation, women can de-stress and celebrate what's really important: our best female friends. 

Galentine's Day, Feb. 13, is the day where Knope gathered all of her best gals for food, presents and fun. Fans of all ages still celebrate the holiday annually, spreading word to those who haven’t watched the episode or show.

Celebrating Galentine's Day at Syracuse University couldn't be easier. There are perfect spots all over campus and throughout the city for every group of gals.

The Laid-Back Gals:

Check out Cafe Kubal on University Avenue for that "Central Perk vibe." There are tons of beverage options and they serve fresh pastries daily. While you're there, you can score trendy finds at 3fifteen, a thrift shop attached to Kubal. Coffee, accordable clothes and your best lady friends — what could be better?

The Fun-Loving Gals:

Take your crew to Funk N' Waffles, on S. Crouse Avenue, for breafast, lunch or dinner filled with excitement. At Funk N' Waffles, you can order pre-made waffle combinations, or design your own with any assortment of toppings. The atmosphere lends itself to a great time and is the perfect place to sit down and unwind with friends. Perhaps the best reason to visit is because eating waffles is a true tribute to Knope. It's widely portrayed throughout the show that waffles are the Galentine's Day founder's favorite food (and should be eaten daily, without hesitation.)

The Trendy Gals:

Bleu Monkey is the place to be if your crew is keeping up with the sushi craze. With a cool ambience and extensive sushi and sashimi menu, Bleu Monkey is Marshall Street's little slice of NYC-style dining. Close to campus, this restaurant is the ideal location for your gal pals to meet up, no matter where you may all live. Your lunch or dinner will be so delicous that posting matching Instagram pictures will seem like your destiny. Throw in #GalentinesDay to share your celebration with your followers. 

The Glam Girls:

What better place to get all glammed up and fancy than Pastabilities? Located in Armory Square, Pastabilities is arguably one of Syracuse's most talked-about restaurants, and for a good reason. The wait is long, but worth it. Your crew will undoubtedly enjoy the Italian stretch bread with spicy hot tomato oil, and will probably have leftovers for days. You gals may not want to travel by bus to get to your Galentine's Day celebration, or even wait up to an hour for a table, but you will all go home happy to have celebrated your friendship with an overload of carbs. 

Of course, these are just a few of the many Galentine's Day options that Syracuse has to offer. Other options can be found all along Marshall Street as well as in Armory Square or at Destiny USA Mall. It doesn't really matter where you go, just as long as you're surrounded by true friends and are celebrating the great things that come along with each friendship you've made at SU.