The next big holiday on everyone’s radar is Valentine’s Day on February 14 – a day that should be celebrated whether you have someone special in your life, or if that someone special is you!
Although the origins of this lovely day are confusing at best and include ancient Roman fertility rituals, fetes and martyrs, we owe thanks to writers like Shakespeare and Chaucer for romanticizing the holiday. In the Middle Ages, people showed their affection by making and giving handmade cards to their sweetheart of choice. Why not try your hand at poetry this Valentine’s and/or make a card of your own. For ideas, check out this website for 15 DIY Valentine card ideas.
This year, Valentine’s Day lands on a Sunday. To try something a little bit different, how about taking your sweetie to brunch instead of dinner? O’liva restaurant, located downtown next to the Governor’s Palace, is offering a prix fixe brunch for only $35 a person and includes a complimentary champagne cocktail and dessert. Guests are encouraged to make reservations as seating is limited – you can find them on OpenTable or call them at 210-229-2638.
Valentine’s Day Menu (consistently made from scratch with fresh, local ingredients)
❖ Turmeric Seafood Bisque in Coconut Milk
❖ Grilled Chicken with Dark Cherry-Pomegranate Glaze
❖ Smoky Roast Beef & Cabernet Mushroom Sauce
❖ Pecan Tri-Grain Pilaf
❖ Braised Cauliflower with local-made Orange-Butter
❖ In-house Smoked Pork Loin Benedict with Cilantro-Cracked Pepper Hollandaise
❖ Stuffed Mushrooms with Vegan Chorizo
❖ Smoked Queso Grits
❖ Wintery Salad & Champagne Vinny
❖ White Chocolate & Chocolate treats
❖ Mixed Berry Shortcakes & Almond Cream
Another great restaurant choice for Valentine’s Day is The Melting Pot. This old fashioned fun is a perfect choice for that wonderful person in your life. The prix fixe menu is $129.95 per person. We recommend their Yin & Yang cocktail to kick off the evening.
For a stay-at home-dinner, which can be just as special, surprise him or her with a Valentine’s dessert classic – Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries, which will be even more appreciated if you make it yourself or perhaps together. It’s actually very easy. See the recipe below for details and then leave the rest to Cupid!
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Ingredients
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
3 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well
Directions
Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.)
Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
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