It’s about that time…only one week left until Valentine’s Day! If you’re stumped for ideas, here is my list of suggestions for a decadent Valentine’s Day…and keep reading to the end – I’ve got a sinfully good, guilt-free GIVEAWAY for you!
Looking for ideas to make your own Valentine’s treat for your sweetie?
Food Network and Cooking Channel have a whole lineup of programming designed to give you plenty of sinfully good ideas for a decadent Valentine’s Day:
On Food Network:
Chocolate/Valentine’s Day Weekend (Premiering Saturday, February 11th from 7am – 1pm and Sunday, February 12th from 7am – 12pm) Whether viewers want a fresh take on a chocolate treat or have plans for a romantic dinner for two, Food Network presents two weekend cooking blocks to help satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth with new episodes of 30 Minute Meals, The Pioneer Woman, Paula’s Best Dishes, Barefoot Contessa, Giada at Home, Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day, Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d’Arabian, Guy’s Big Bite, Down Home with the Neelys, and Secrets of a Restaurant Chef plus an all-new one hour special hosted by Sandra Lee.
Turn on the Dark (Premiering Friday, February 10th at 8pm) Alton Brown serves up a new special on chocolate just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Sandra Lee Chocolate (Premiering Saturday, February 11th at 12pm) Sandra Lee takes viewers to her favorite spots in New York City to share her most beloved chocolate treats. Then, she travels back to her kitchen to whip up some decadent chocolate creations inspired by her favorites sweets.
On Cooking Channel:
Chocolate Week (Sunday, February 5th – Friday, February 10th from 8-11pmET/5-8pmPT) Grab the one you are with or celebrate Valentine’s Day with the whole family with a full week of chocolate-themed primetime programming including premiere episodes of Good Eats, Iron Chef America Countdown, United Tastes of America, Eat St., and Throwdown with Bobby Flay. Kicking of the week of sweets is a premiere episode of Unwrapped as host Marc Summers explores treats for the most romantic day of the year and learns how they are made from start to finish on Sunday, February 5th at 8pmET/5pmPT.
Unique Sweets Mini-Marathon (Sunday, February 12th 5-8pmET/2-5pmPT) Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be complete without all the Unique Sweets viewers crave, so Cooking Channel serves up a mini-marathon on Sunday, February 12th 5-8pmET/2-5pmPT.
Photo courtesy Salt Creek Grille
Making reservations for a romantic meal?
Treat your special someone to a weekend of sweet deals at Salt Creek Grille, 4 Bingham Avenue, Rumson, NJ, with its amazing romantic waterfront view of the Navesink River. Come feel the love and enjoy a special $100 prix fixe dinner for two from 5 p.m. to close on Friday, February 10 and Saturday, February 11. The special $100 prix fixe dinner for two includes a glass of champagne for each, choice of soup or salad for each guest; a shared appetizer; a choice of an entrée for each; a shared dessert; and a shared bottle of wine. Tax and gratuity are not included. Children’s menu is also available on these nights.
Is your sweetheart a brunch lover? On Sunday Salt Creek Grille will hold its traditional, award-winning, limitless Sunday Champagne Brunch at the regular price of $29 per person and $12 for children from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Special Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe dinner is available beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday, as well as on Monday, February 13 and on Valentine’s Day, February 14. Reservations recommended, call (732) 933-9272.
Dauphin Grille (1401 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-774-3474) Share your love with a romantic five-course dinner at the Dauphin Grille ($60).
Langosta Lounge (1000 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-455-3275) Enjoy a special a la carte menu, boasting passionfruit belinis, heart-warming entrees and rich, chocolate desserts at Langosta Lounge.
Trinity and the Pope (649 Mattison Avenue, Asbury Park; 732-807-3435) Keep warm and cozy with a la carte specials and New Orleans-style cocktails at Trinity and the Pope this Valentine’s! Plus, enjoy a complimentary king cake for the table and be entered to win dinner for two!
Labrador Lounge (3581 Route 35 North, Normandy Beach; 732-830-5770; BYOB) Relax in style with the ones you love over a four-course prix fixe at the Labrador Lounge this Valentine’s Day ($35).
Pop’s Garage Shrewsbury (540 Broad St, Rt. 35 South, Grove West, 732-530-7677; BYOB) Bring your own bottle of wine and enjoy an affordable, three-course dinner at Pop’s Garage in Shrewsbury ($21).
Photo courtesy The Vinatta Project
The Vinatta Project (69 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 646-398-9125) will be offering a special 4-course prix fixe menu, complete with a complimentary oyster and a glass of champagne to whet the appetite. A perfect blend of romance and indulgence, this exclusive menu is priced at $69 per person, and includes temptations such as Wild Boar Carpaccio, Spinach Gnocchi with Goat Cheese Cream, Lamb Rib Chop with Basil Pesto Confit Potato, and Vanilla Panacotta with Strawberry Compote and Champagne Gastrique.
Restaurants at Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, Bally’s, and Showboat in Atlantic City, New Jersey are offering specially-designed prix-fixe menus featuring a variety of appetizers, entrees, desserts and drink specials to choose from. Participating restaurants include Luke Palladino at Harrah’s Resort ($45 per person), Dos Caminos at Harrah’s Resort ($30 per person), The Steakhouse at Harrah’s Resort ($55 per person), Casa Di Napoli at Showboat ($55 per person, $85 per person with wine accompaniment), Scarduzio’s Steak, Sushi & Lounge at Showboat ($55 per person, $85 per person with wine accompaniment) and Foundation Room at Showboat ($70 per person). While Harry’s Oyster Bar and Seafood Restaurant at Bally’s has a few enticing Valentine’s Day offers like their Nature’s Aphrodisiac oyster lovers sampler and Be Still My Heart surf and turf for two, which includes an 8oz lobster tail and char-broiled filet medallion.
The Atlantic City Country Club continues the love with two delectable options. On Sunday, February 12 the historic club will treat guests to a very special Sweethearts Brunch for $29.95 per person ($14.95 for children 5-12 years old). Then on Tuesday, February 14, couples can enjoy a decadent four-course candlelight dinner by acclaimed Chef, Ed Daggers, and his team at the Sweethearts Dinner for $55 per person.
Tre Amici (628 Ocean Avenue, Long Branch, NJ (732) 571-8922) is offering a five course aphrodisiac menu, including baked oysters, lobster bisque and cocoa-crusted filet mignon, for $110.00 per couple, in addition to a la carte selections.
To impress your date in style enjoy a fine dining experience at Armani/Ristorante 5th Avenue (717 Fifth Avenue at 56th Street, NYC (212) 207-1902), offering diners a stunning view overlooking fifth avenue. Their San Valentino pre-fix menu ($150) encompasses the heart of Italian cuisine with dishes like Risotto allo Spumante, a Champagne risotto with langoustines, sea scallops and baby zucchini or the Filetto di Manzo al Guisto Rosa, a tender pan-seared beef tenderloin with grilled julienned trevisan radicchio and arugula pesto. End the night on a sweet note with their stunning Passion Fruit Semifreddo topped with warm meringue over a soft cherry liquor bisquit and candied rose petals.
We’ve heard it said that Greeks give a special kind of love. It’s warming, it’s comforting, and it’s all about food. Get cozy with your date in the beautiful dining room at Upper West Side newcomer Loi (208 West 70th Street, NYC 212-875-8600), of famed Greek Chef Maria Loi. The four-course menu ($65) is chocked full of traditional offerings, including appetizers such as Rodeles Melitzanas, medallions of eggplant with yogurt mousse and caramelized tomatoes, salads of either tomato with feta, olive oil and lemon, or Roka Me Rodi, baby arugula, hazelnuts, smoked Metzovone cheese, topped with pomegranate seeds and drizzled with fig balsamic vinegar. Maria’s classic, not to mention delicious, Moussaka with béchamel sauce is one of many entrée options, along with Grilled Bronzino served with charred grilled seasonal vegetables. End the night with something sweet- Krema Fournisti, Greek panna cotta with raspberry coulis, Tyrogliko, Greek cheese cake with chocolate ganache and strawberries, and finally, Maria’s signature “Greek Ecstasy,” flourless chocolate cake with chocolate ganache.
Take a stroll in Chelsea with your special Valentine over to La Promenade des Anglais (461 W 23rd Street, NYC 212-255-7400). This year for dinner, chef and owner Alain Allegretti has designed a special three course menu for $78 per person including options such as: Duck Foie Gras Confit with granny smith apples, endive & pomegranate salad and a date puree, Wild Mushroom Risotto, and Chestnut Panna Cotta for dessert! Also available is a wine pairing for only $25 additional per person. This is one of the hottest tables in town thanks to their recent glowing 2-Star review from the New York Times, so book now.
Sweeten up your evening at Spot Dessert Bar (13 Saint Marks Place, NYC 212-677-5670) this Valentine’s day. Offerings include cupcakes with flavors like Red Velvet, Green Tea, Vietnamese Coffee, and Apple Crumble; Red Velvet Heart Shaped Macaroons feature a lovely Raspberry Rose filling, and the ultimate romantic treat, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, are of course on the menu that evening, drizzled with both milk and white chocolate. Most treats $2.25 – $2.75 a piece.
Looking for a quick way to have a romantic dinner on a busy weeknight?
Buitoni Complete Meals for Two are a perfect solution! These premium frozen meals, like Chicken & Mushroom Risotto and Braised Beef & Sausage Ravioli, come together in no time at all, and give you the chance to spend less time in the kitchen, and more time enjoying a romantic meal with your Valentine.
Photo courtesy Godiva Chocolatier
Looking for that perfect treat for your Valentine?
Make Valentine’s Day truly memorable by treating yourself and others to something everyone loves – decadent chocolate. Whether you are buying a gift for a loved one, a friend or a colleague, Godiva has something for everyone this Valentine’s Day. Top items include: Mini Message Heart Boxes (Set of Four: $20 / $6 each), Milk Chocolate Message Hearts (Set of Three: $20 / $8 each), Fondue Kit ($42), Heart Lollipops (Set of Three: $15), Iconic Valentine’s Day Satin Heart (29 pc: $75, 15 pc $40). For more information visit www.Godiva.com.
Photo courtesy TastingRoom.com
The ultimate wine gift, TastingRoom.com samplers take the guesswork out of gift-buying. If you are unsure of what to give your loved one this Valentine’s Day season, give them a flight of wines and let them decide. TastingRoom.com, an innovative e-commerce website that lets you try wine before you buy, features curated collections of premium wine from around the world, or “wine samplers.” These samplers can be purchased along with gift cards to TastingRoom.com so that your gift recipient can go back and buy full-sized bottles of wine once they pick their favorites. The wine samplers include six miniature 50ml bottles that hold 1.7 oz. of wine each. Enjoy varietal samplers (Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay), regional samplers (Napa Valley Reds, Australian Gems), single winery samples (Grgich Hills), themed samplers (Hidden Gems, Wines for Dudes), celebrity samplers curated by Mario Batali and more. TastingRoom.com also offers new a exclusive Valentine’s Day wine sampler, A Taste Adventure…Wine for Lovers.
This year, cult bakery Baked By Melissa is offering special Valentine’s Day versions of their signature cupcakes, offered in red velvet and chocolate with special heart toppings. The cupcakes are available at Baked By Melissa stores and in gift boxes that can be shipped nationwide. Valentine’s Day cupcakes include Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing and Heart Confetti on top, Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and a Heart Candy on top, and Red Velvet Cake with Chocolate Icing and a Heart Candy on top.
Sickles Market (1 Harrison Ave., Little Silver, NJ (732) 741-9563) has an extensive selection of gift baskets and gift boxes you can ship to your sweetie! Check out the Everything Chocolate Gift Box, (Spice Up Your Valentine’s Day Gift Box, and the rest of the delicious selection by clicking here.
Photo courtesy Cheribundi
Looking for a healthy treat for you and your Valentine?
Check out Cheribundi, the leading fresh tart cherry juice. Cheribundi just recently released a new flavor: Cacao Cherry, which tastes just like a chocolate-covered cherry. Perfect for the healthy Valentine, this new tasty flavor remains the all-natural drink that retains all of the power and antioxidants of tart cherries, yet tastes like a chocolate cherry treat. It is available for purchase in 8oz or 32oz bottles and is sold in over 4,000 retail stores throughout the US. Just think – all the allure and indulgence of chocolate, without the guilt of a candy bar! I recently had the opportunity to try Cacao Cherry Cheribundi, and I have to tell you – it is YUMMY! It smells and tastes just like a chocolate-covered tart cherry…and it’s guilt-free!
Remember I mentioned a giveaway at the beginning of this post? Well…Cheribundi is my newest addiction - and I want to share it with you! I will be selecting three winners, and each will receive four 8-ounce bottles of this healthy, sinfully delicious treat! To win, just leave a comment on this blog post (comments on Facebook or Twitter will not constitute entries) and tell me which suggestion from this post you wish your Valentine would give you this Valentine’s Day! I will select three comments at random after all comments have been submitted, and those lucky winners will win the juice!
But wait – there’s more! Want extra entries? Just “like” Random Cravings on Facebook or follow me on Twitter or Google+ and leave separate comments here on the blog post to let me know you do. Just remember – one comment on this blog post = one entry (i.e., if you enter by telling me you hope your Valentine gives you this Valentine’s Day, and also follow me on Facebook, you need to leave 2 separate comments here on the blog post.)
And now the rules:
- All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, February 10, 2012.
- One comment on this blog post = one entry.
- Winner will be announced Monday, February 13, 2012. If I do not hear from the winner with contact information by 11:59 p.m. EST on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, a new winner will be selected Thursday, February 16, 2012.
- Sorry, but the giveaway is only open to Continental U.S. addresses only.
So…tell me…which decadent option from this post would you like to receive from your sweetie this Valentine’s Day?
