Valentine's Day Done Right, Right At Home. Bistecca Alla Fiorentina & Grilled Lobster Tails w/ Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette

Valentine’s Day Done Right, Right At Home. Bistecca Alla Fiorentina & Grilled Lobster Tails w/ Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Today being Valentine’s Day, a lot of things change from what you would normally expect them to be. Restaurants see a lot of action over the next 24 – 48 hours simply because a lot of people know how hard their loved ones work and how much they deserve to be treated to an amazing meal outside of the house. That causes mayhem that a lot of usually try to avoid.

The aforementioned aside, there are also those of us who want to actually put some elbow grease into a meal to make something special that we wouldn’t have the time to do on the regular.

That being said, today we are going to help those of you out there who want that fabulous Surf & Turf dinner without even having to leave the house with our Recipe of the Day: Bistecca Alla Fiorentina (Steak Florentine or Porterhouse Steak) & Grilled Lobster Tail w/ Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette. This recipe is deadly simply because the aromas it kicks up, the mood it creates and the dexterity it shows someone has in the kitchen is just all around FLY!.

Enjoy this meal with a loved one over some strong libations. Its Valentine’s Day, everyone deserves some love.

Homemade Chocolate Souffles for Valentine's Day

Sometimes going out to dinner doesn’t live up to ones expectations, leaving everyone involved in the affair, pissed off. With Valentine’s Day arriving tomorrow, we hope that everyone has made the proper plans to pull off a fly evening without being bombarded by BS ads to buy flowers and the old school standbyes that people with no style are forced to purchase for their loved ones.

Now back to the matter at hand, ever been to a restaurant and had their chocolate soufflé and thought to yourself “could I do this at home?” Well now you can and if you are the type who takes matters into their own hands, then you will most likely be making dinner at home, followed by an amazing dessert and whatever else you have in mind.

This recipe is one we actually picked up in Culinary School and with a bit of knowhow simplified it down to a recipe that takes not much time at all, leaving you to have plenty of time to really get your Valentine’s Day in action.

Enjoy!

(click read more for the entire recipe)

Taste on Melrose, The Place You Should Be Spending Valentine's Day

Taste on Melrose, is no stranger to these pages nor to our faithful readers. If you don’t know about it, well then you need to get hip, and quick. This Valentine’s Day, taste is going to be doing a 4 Course Prix Fix menu for $55.00

Consisting of mouth-watering dishes (that are so good, fights have been known to break out over the crumbs) such as  Butter Poached Lobster Mac & Cheese, Spicy Tuna Tartar, Violet Mustard Crusted Australian Rack of Lamb and Chicken Mole De Poblano as well as their World Famous desserts, this is the type of meal you starve yourself for, so that you savor each and every bite. Taste on Melrose has been known to quickly fill up around the holidays so hopefully, if your interested you can still get in the door at a reasonable hour.

Good Luck & Enjoy!

For more info check their website: ILoveTaste.com 

Chocolate Lovers, Countdown the Days to Valentines Day w/ The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, Atlanta

Haute Chocolate Experiences Stir Chocolate Fantasies at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead in February

ATLANTA, Ga.— A delicious "Countdown to Valentine's" Calendar inspired by rich chocolate in creative variations offers guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead stylish ways to celebrate romance in February. From candy-making classes for couples, to chocolate Spa treatments to cocktails, desserts and more, chocolate lovers are on notice to mark their calendars for rich, delectable experiences.

Wednesday February 1 - Chocolate and Cherry Facial 


The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Buckhead celebrates Valentine’s with a special facial offered the month of February. As luscious as its name, this facial begins with a cherry wine peel to exfoliate and firm, followed by a chocolate wasabi mask to stimulate circulation and boost collagen. 
The result is a deliciously dewy and toned complexion.

50 minutes, $155.



Thursday February 2 - Chocolate Afternoon Tea, The Lobby Lounge 
Specialties such as Chocolate Chip Cherry Scones, Flourless Chocolate Brandy Cherry Cake, Coconut Chocolate Frangipane and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Torte are added to our traditional Afternoon Tea pastries, and guests may take home a chocolate keepsake. 


Thursday through Sunday, February 2-5 and 9-12 from 2:30 to 4 pm, $34 



Friday February 3 - White Chocolate Cherry Martini


Mixologist Christa Sladky created this romantic martini with house-infused cherry brandy, 
Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur and Stoli® Vanil. 


February 1-14 in The Lobby Lounge and February 2-4 and 9-11 in The Wine Bar, $14 



Saturday February 4 – Haute Chocolate Bar –

Haute Chocolate Bar will make Winter your favorite season! Select from these dreamy chocolate blends, and add our irresistible garnishes to create your very own Hot Chocolate Beverage: Spicy Dark Chocolate, made with Valrhona Grand Cru Guanaja 70% Chocolate, Milk Chocolate Caramel, Red Berry Dark Chocolate (enhanced by the Pasty Chefs with a bit of Red Berry Sauce

Garnishes: The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead Secret Spice; House-made Marshmallows;

House-made Whipped Creams; Chocolate Shavings and Cinnamon Sticks

Saturday and Sunday, January 14 through February 26, from 2:30 to 4 pm, $10

Sunday February 5 - The Super Bowl of Chocolate

The champions of chocolate desserts are added to our splendid Sunday Brunch.

Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée, Miniature Chocolate Cream Pie, White Chocolate

Lemon Bar and Baileys Milk Chocolate Cake made with Baileys® Irish Cream are sure

to score winning points.

11:30 am to 2:30 pm, $59

Monday February 6 - Chocolate Bark for Children’s Scavenger Hunt

Children always get a special wristband when checking-in for an overnight stay denoting VIK (Very Important Kid) status, and enjoy complimentary ice cream and a prize upon completing a self-guided scavenger hunt. In February, children receive our house-made Chocolate Bark at the end of their quest.

Tuesday February 7 - Breakfast Buffet with Chocolate Specialties

Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffles, Chocolate Croissants and Chocolate Muffins are

added to our daily breakfast buffet in The Café.

Monday through Saturday, February 1-14. $27

Wednesday February 8 – Pairing Chocolate with Port and Aperitifs

Sommelier Linda Torres Alarcon guides Club Level guests in an informal tasting of rich chocolates paired with her very special selections: Quinta do Noval, Tawny Port, "10 Yr Old", Douro, Portugal and Cocchi, Barolo Chinato, Piedmont, Italy.

The Club Lounge from 8 to 9 pm.

Thursday February 9 – “Haute Fashion, Haute Chocolate”

Neiman Marcus presents informal modeling of the season’s “haute-est” fashions during Chocolate Afternoon Tea. All fashions and accessories are red or pink—the colors of the moment!

Neiman Marcus is the premier shopping destination for finding the perfect gift

for that special someone.

The Lobby Lounge, 2:30 to 4 pm, $34

Friday February 10 - Aztec Manhattan

Mixologist Christa Sladky’s newest cocktail recipe includes bourbon, vermouth,

house-made spiced cocoa nib syrup and Bittermen's Xocolatl Mole.

February 1 through 14 in The Lobby Lounge and

February 2 through 4 and 9 through 11 in The Wine Bar, $14

Saturday February 11 - “Haute Couples, Haute Chocolate” Candy Making Class and Lunch

Loving couples join our ingenious pastry chef Dallas Marsteller to make a luscious assortment of hand-rolled Valrhona chocolate truffles just in time for Valentine’s Day.

After class, everyone enjoys a delightful three-course lunch in The Café. Class starts at 11 am, with lunch following.

Limited to five couples only. $125 per couple, inclusive of taxes and gratuities

Sunday February 12 – Haute Chocolate Sunday Brunch

Magnificent chocolate sculptures grace our presentation of glorious chocolate desserts. Look for White Chocolate Lemon Bar, Whoopie Pie, Dark Chocolate Crème Brûlée, Miniature Chocolate Cream Pie and Baileys® Irish Cream Milk Chocolate Cake.

11:30 am to 2:30 pm, $59

Monday February 13 - Love Potion No. 5

This couple’s massage features an alluring mélange of five essential oils— cranberry, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and orange—and is offered all month.

50 minutes, $290.

Cocoa Truffle Tea, a light cocoa-infused tea, is complimentary with spa treatments in February.

Tuesday February 14 - “Two Hearts are One” Dessert in The Café

Dessert becomes a romantic work of art: Valentine’s couples enjoy a chocolate dessert for two, which transforms into two hearts melting together. $14

Guests may also select these a la carte selections from February 10 through 14:

First Course: Lobster Raviolis with Chanterelle Mushrooms, Creamed Corn, Trout Roe, $24

Entree: Smoked G.F. Swift Beef Tenderloin, Celery Root Purée, Apple, Bacon, Shallot Jus, $45

Prices are per person and exclusive of taxes and gratuities unless otherwise noted. For reservations for Sunday Brunch and dinner in The Café, please call 404-240-7035 or visit www.opentable.com. 

For reservations for Chocolate Afternoon Tea including “Haute Fashion, Haute Chocolate”, and the “Haute Couples, Haute Chocolate” Candy-Making Class and Lunch, please call 404-240-7035. Reservations are not required in The Lobby Lounge, The Wine Bar or in The Café for the breakfast buffet. 

For Spa appointments and to purchase Spa Gift Cards, please call 404-240-7041 or touch extension 7041. Pairing Chocolate with Port and Aperitifs is offered to Club Level guests only and no reservations are required.

WP24 at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, A Surefire Hit this Valentines Day

Nothing beats having a romantic evening with someone you love. Enjoying good food and drinks with someone special makes everything that much more memorable. Ambience and décor mixed with beautifully plated dishes can only help enhance ones chances at making the night something all parties involved will never forget. 

With Valentines Day right around the corner chances are many people are going to be flooding the flyest restaurants with hopes of having the perfect date. That being said, WP24, in the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles is the first spot you attempt to make reservations at, so that you and your date can be treated to an amazing 8 course meal. The Menu, designed specifically for Valentines Day, by the always amazing Chefs at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles includes delicacies such as the Spicy Shrimp & Lobster Wontons, the Wok Fried Santa Barbara Spot Prawns w/ Black Garlic & Stir Fry Vegetables or the Pan Seared Jumbo Maine Diver Scallops. 

The real treats to us, sound like the Roasted Duckling “Peking Style” served with Fresh Bao Buns & a Pomegranate, Plum Reduction and the Manjari Passion, which is Spiced Caramel Crème, Puffed Forbidden Rice and Manjari Sorbet. WP24, for those that don’t know is Wolfgang Puck’s beautifully designed Modern Chinese Cuisine themed restaurant that sits perched 24 floors above Los Angeles amazing Skyline. Housed inside the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles at L.A. Live, this is always a spot to get some great food, incredible drinks and even spot a few celebs (for those of you who honestly care what they are wearing or eating.)

For More info on something satisfying and fulfilling (yes we are talking about the food people,) check out WP24’s website and be sure to Make Reservations Now!!! Please believe that this will place will continue to sell out every night:

WP24 at the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles

900 W. Olympic BLVD, Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 743.8824