Stores are stocked with the kind of stuff you'd never buy any other time of year: fluffy, watery-eyed stuffed animals, heart-shaped pumpkins and singing and dancing miniature teddy bears wearing sunglasses. It's enough to make a true romantic want to vomit candy hearts.
Maybe I just need a vitamin "L" shot. To re-invigorate the romantic part of my brain I tried to find out what was going on around town for the holiday.
Matt Gill, owner of Asian-chic Ginger (425 W. Fifth Ave., 929-3680), reminded me that sometimes you can celebrate romance just for romance's sake. Ginger serves a special menu with four delectable courses and options like oysters, beef Wellington and lobster tail for $65 ($85 with wine pairings). For Gill, romance can depend on where you are.
"I think it's nice to escape to a place that doesn't feel like every day," Gill said. "Ambience, lighting and music create an intimate feel."
I was heartened to hear it and found Ginger has had its fair share of romantic moments. "We've had marriage proposals," Gill said, "and everything from a 50th wedding anniversary to one customer calling to celebrate a one-month anniversary."
At South Side haunt Suite 100 (1000 E. Dimond Blvd, 341-1000) romance will soon be in the air and on the menu. Owner Kelly Nichols has a new cocktail idea called Two to Tango, which will be featured on Saturday's bar list. You order one drink, but it's large enough to share with a partner, inspiring doe-eyed sipping in tandem.
The cocktails, planned to be traditional drinks with new twists and fresh ingredients, will run $22 and be on the permanent bar menu this spring. But if you don't feel like sharing, Nichols recommends the romantic Aloha Martini ($7.95) to set the mood, which blends pineapple vodka, peach and apricot schnapps and grenadine into a smooth, red infusion.
Though slightly louder than other romantic spots, Suite 100 can also name patrons who found sweet success in love. Nichols related a story of a bar patron who came in every evening saying he just wanted to find a nice girl. Well, he met her, a fellow patron who came in saying the same thing every night. The two met and have been dating ever since.
"They're on vacation in Thailand right now," Nichols said with a laugh.
The uber-secluded and cozy Club Paris (417 W. Fifth Ave., 277-6332) boasts one of the most intimate venues to eat in town. Co-owner Stan Selman even officiated a wedding in the restaurant. Selman attributes the romance to the high-backed booths and secluded privacy of the layout.
"You never know what's going to happen here," Selman said. "I've found many strange things happening under the tables." The best part about Club Paris on Valentine's Day is that the holiday is one of three days they allow advance reservations (instead of same day). Each year the chefs cook up a menu special, which in the past has featured sumptuous and sexy servings like crab-stuffed New York filets with bearnaise sauce.
Wherever you go and whatever you decide to do, romance is something that can be celebrated at any time of year but in some ways is more fun on a holiday designed for it. Just make sure to plan ahead as most venues are booked in advance.
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