Many thanks to guest writer Mark Stine for sharing his ideas on birthday dinner parties for a friend or loved one.

The US is a beautiful country and covers a lot of diverse geography. The downside is that often times we don’t live near our loved ones or friends. Work …career…spouses or significant others take us to new places every day. So how do we celebrate birthdays or other special occasions?

For my 50^th birthday I had planned a trip to New Zealand. I even had an adventure-some cousin, Karen Alexander (LOL….no relation to T. Alexander...although they would get along VERY well) want to take the trip as well. But a re-location to Las Vegas and career change interfered with the planning and after one month into a new job my life long dream of celebrating a birthday in the land of “Lord of the Rings” had to be sidelined.

So what did I do for my birthday? I stopped at a small place on the way home from work…and called a brother on the cell phone. Nice enough…but not exactly what I had in mind…and anyway…aren’t 50^th’s supposed to be special…or extra special as all birthdays are special!

Well don’t leave your loved ones or that special friend in a lurch…they may be far away but that doesn’t mean they can’t have a nice birthday dinner celebration…and you can be in charge of it. Why should they be alone?

Get started now. Make a list of their friends and local worker cohorts…make the effort to find out …surreptitiously of course! Then enlist their spouse or a trusted local friend to provide the local support mechanism.

Make a list:

Who is in charge locally

Is the location for the celebration cleared and secured

Invite the guests/confirm RSVP’s

Does your friend / relative have someone to “bird dog” them and make sure they show up where and when they are supposed to

(I know this seems like a lot of details but aren’t loved ones worth it?)

Is the food and beverage ordered? What do you think the special person would want for their birthday dinner? Well there is a simple solution to that problem....contact GourmetStation by phone at 1-888-944-9794. Let them know the party dates, the number of people attending and they can arrange a special birthday dinner party package tailored just for you. From appetizers…to soups to entrees…you can make it all happen simply and easily with one phone call. Plus the selections are tasteful, easy to prepare and will make your party a dream. What about the timing and delivery…the GourmetStation specialist will guide you through the quantity needed ...timing …and preparation. Nothing could be simpler.

If all you want that night is “ Le Grande Display” of desserts, well then no one but …GourmetStation can do it better. Their international cheesecakes will make this birthday beyond special and leave everyone wanting more.

And what about that special person…capture it on film…digital…digital video…Polaroid, whatever the format….just make sure you capture it. In a few short years they will look back on that event and think “darn didn’t I look good for that time in my life!”

You will feel special too….because there is no warmer feeling than giving and seeing that shine in someone else’s eyes as they receive so much joy from those around them. Even if you don’t make it there to share with them ..or be some place you always dreamed of like New Zealand for your own birthday dinner….that night can be a special remembrance….from now and always.

Good Morning! Today is Fat Tuesday. Do you have any plastic beads or funky dancing shoes around? Well put them on and celebrate. New Orleans is celebrating the end of the carnival season and the day before Lent with its Mardi Gras festival. Singular and original - there is only one Big Easy and only one Mardi Gras. Even after the wrath of Katrina, the city is unstoppable...vibrant with spirit while the good times roll. Here's what the New York Times has to say about Mardi Gras 2006.

If you're like the rest of us you think of delicious spicy food when you think of Mardi Gras celebration. Check out this link to Mardi Gras recipes including the famous King Cake. If you're too busy to shop and cook, remember GourmetStation's collection of delicious Cajun cuisine. Cajun gourmet dinners, soup samplers featuring Gumbo, and desserts including Praline Pecan Cheesecake. Whether you're looking for a meal gift for another or just great gourmet food to stock up on, we have the answer. Now - back to letting the good times roll!

What is it about Tuscany that captures our heart, soul and imagination? My first visit to Florence produced raw sensory overload. My fondest memories include the warmth of the people and inviting restaurants, art and more art – especially architecture, and the splendor of the surrounding landscape. My memories of Uffiza Gallery exceed art – I truly felt in the presence of greatness. The only downside to Tuscany is leaving. Now I have something to suggest to you in case you experience the longing for the region. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been and want to go, or you’ve been and want to return. This is a remedy for all who cherish this region for all it has to offer.

Dave Galusha has been a guest writer for Delicious Destinations on several occasions. He and his wife Edie visit Tuscany frequently and have fallen in love with the region. Dave’s way of brining Tuscany back home to Connecticut is with his camera. Dave has captured all that I love about the region and now he is sharing it with the world. FotoToscana is Dave’s new company, an online source for beautiful photographs of Tuscany and neighboring region Umbria. The photos are matted and ready to be framed. Dave has appropriately positioned his new company as “food for your eyes – dreams for your heart.”

Dave’s site starts out with a nice overview, including information about the region and a listing of the major cities - Firenze, Siena, Lucca, Pistoia, Livorno, Arezzo, San Sepolcro, and the beautiful little hill-towns of Cortona, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino and San Gimignano. The site is divided into six viewing galleries including Archi e Porte, Bella Campagna, Belle Strade, Foto Diverse,Campanili, and Tramonti Toscani.

My favorite in the Archi e Porte collection is this image – a bedroom view from bed & breakfast Casa Bellavista. In the Foto Diverse collection is this beautiful image of a Tuscan icon, the sunflower. Tramonti Toscani is a collection of breathtaking sunsets and my favorite is this photo of river, bridge and sunset – Ponte Vecchio..

The photos are hand labeled according to location with the year taken. The prices are extremely reasonable at $10 US for 5 X 7 inch or $15.00 for 8 X 10 inch. Prices include matting. If any family or friends are reading this post, now you know what to expect for upcoming gifting occasions!

I recently had found a soup at our local health food store. The name – Mulligatawny. My word, is it Irish, African, what’s this all about. Name aside, I tell you it was delicious. My version was vegan made with filtered water, lentils, non-chicken base, onions, carrots, celery, madras curry powder, rice and coconut milk. Not only did this simple combination of simple food shoot the moon, the name had me going. So I started to do a little research.

Mulligatawny soup was originally an Indian curry soup adapted by the British during colonial days. Here’ what the Food Reference has to say. “Mulligatawny is the Anglicized version of the Tamil (a southern Indian Dravidian language) words for "pepper water" or "pepper broth." It became popular with the British stationed in India (employees of the East India Company) during colonial times, during the late 18th century and later. When they returned home, they brought the recipe back with them to England, and to other members of the Commonwealth, especially Australia. It was a rich curried soup originally made with peppers, hence the name. It has changed to suit differing tastes in Western culture, and has gone through many variations at various times and places. It is usually based on a chicken stock (also mutton or vegetable stock) and curry, with cream, pieces of chicken, onion, celery, apples and almonds and garnished with rice. The cream was very likely, originally coconut milk.”

I found it interesting that cream in later recipes was most likely coconut milk in the original recipe. Our local health food store must have reverted back to the original recipe to make the soup vegan. The soft white rice and coconut milk produced a soothing sensation that I must say was pleasing and original. In case you want to give it a try, here is a recipe from 1818.

If you’ve got soup on the mind and want to spread a little joy and happiness, remember GourmetStation for soup gifts. Each sampler includes six delicious soups, six miniature baguettes, and six gourmet bake-your-own cookies, like amaretto and macadamia nut. I'm off now to talk to our R&D team to get Mulligatawny on the menu!

Guest writer Mark Stine is on a roll and is back to share with you his perspective on having your cake and eating it too. As the winter chill continues we have a natural tendency to want to eat more and hybernate, much like our animal friends. Mark has found his system to keep things in balance and have that indulgence from time to time. My favorite part of this post is his "sweet" childhood memories. Read and enjoy!

While house sitting for a friend near Palo Alto recently, I was
suddenly surrounded by something that I have not kept in the house for
months.....desserts! I have taken it unto myself to lose some weight,
what with a 50 something birthday looming in the near future and a
friend referring to me recently as looking "settled", well in
actuallity I was referred to as a "fat-"pick your political party
affiliation".  Ok, so the person making this reference is in terriffic
shape and my other more kind friends agreed "settled" was a more
accurate description for me.  Still my sensibility had been challenged
and my inner voice awakened...ME SETTLED or worse..referred to as a
fat-"name your political party"!

In any event, I took up the gauntlet and in only one month or so lost
12 pounds through sensible eating and more exercise. What I have
discovered though through sensible eating and exercise is that I can
now eat just about anything, in reasonable portions and I am not
gaining any of the weight back.

To test this theory further I have, while house sitting in this
fabuously outfitted kichen, been eating cheesecake and truffles and
chocolate...lots of chocolate! Yummm..I am in heaven. And you know
what? I have not gained any addiitonal weight. Working out in the home
gym and walking the hills of Los ALtos Hills has kept the exercise
regimen up, allowed me to enjoy nature and the early spring that is
bursting forth in the surrounding countryside and indulge myself with
the things I  have enjoyed since childhood..... desserts.

I am an admitted dessert afficianado. I remember my Grandmothers home
made pies, cakes and best of all her cinnamon rolls. We are talking
pre-Cinnabon cinnamon rolls made with yeast dough, allowed to rise in
old ceramic bowls.Then rolled out with an  old fasioned rolling pin
made of wood and real butter. Lots of butter. And the smell that arose
from the old oven once the rolls hit the right temperature have been
indeliably enscribed on my mind. There is after all a huge connection
to olfactory stimulation and memories. Well ...just like me, let your
memory slide back to those smells and desserts that provide you with
great memories.

GourmetStation has the means and the way to transport you back to
some of those great dessert memories.  You can order their specialty
desserts for parties, to remind someone that you love them, as a
special treat for yourself or to celebrate with your family just how
special they are, when no special occasion is required.

And if you have discovered like I have, that a little exercise goes a
long way..and with exercise you can" Indulge" those dessert
cravings....then have at it! After all aren't we worth it...and haven't
I earned the right to be as happy as I was as a child, when I
discovered that sugar and butter and cream were pretty darn nice
combinations.

Desserts the quintessential way to my heart...and grinning in an all
knowing way...probably yours too!

I am so pleased that our friend and GourmetStation patron, Mark Stine, has agreed to write for Delicious Destinations from time to time. Mark's latest post demonstrates ways to show you care with food gifts. Mark combines personal memories with practical ways to say "thinking of you" for the people in our lives that have everything.

My Grandmother had a habit every time I called her of saying “I was Just thinking about You”…now whether my Grandmother was psychic or tapped into the metaphysical remains to be seen, but since she had a lot of time on her hands, she probably was thinking about me and the odds of me calling and her thinking of me were probably pretty good. And those memories of her answering the phone with that response will always stick with me

Now being somewhat like my Grandmother, I find myself thinking of family, friends and past acquaintances. Some of it has to do with age. Being over 50, the portion of time remaining has become more important to me in how I spend it. And the actions I take towards others and how I am viewed …..and remembered someday.

Just recently I made a new acquaintance and was introduced to a breakfast and or lunch snack of toasted white bread, fresh avocado spread over bread and topped with Bacos, or imitation bacon bits. It was a unique little snack…and when a gifting opportunity presented itself, I purchased four bottles of imitation bacon bits made from soy protein and mailed them right off to say “Thanks” to a man who basically has everything anyone could want….. but he could use the imitation bacon bits in his everyday life. .A way of saying, “Thinking of You” for a friend. A simple thing, but surely more remembered than anything else I could have sent.

Gifts of food have been a part of most world cultures and was often reflected in the bounty of late summer and early fall as peaches were canned, German apples dried and Italian hams cured.

While the holiday season is a primary gifting opportunity, it’s after the holidays, when we all return to our normal routines, that is the time to step back and look at ourselves and our friends and remind them that we are “just thinking about you”

A wonderful opportunity exists to send to your friend, family member far away, or someone who is or was close to you, but due to the passage of time, the closeness may have faded….a reminder of how much you care.

What better way to recharge that connection than through a wonderful gourmet gift from GourmetStation. Often a friend or loved one may have had a dream of visiting some far off locale, but through the events of their life, may have gotten sidetracked along the way. A gift opportunity to transport them, if only for a respite, to Paris or Italy can be accomplished through a GourmetStation gift certificate or better yet surprise them with a specialty meal. A “personalized” card can be included…and they’ll remember you as part of that special meal from a locale they always wanted to visit.

And maybe next time…”They’ll be thinking of you”

Technorati Tags: Food_Gifts, Thank_You_Gifts, Family

When I think of New Orleans and Cajun cuisine the first thing that pops in my mind is Chef Paul Prudhomme. The second thing is seafood. I met Chef Paul in the mid 1990’s at the time he was consulting with high profile foodservice clients. I’ll never forget the joy of getting my cookbook autographed and feeling as if I was in the presence of pure authenticity. Chef Paul is as authentically Cajun as Cajun can be. He was born and raised on a farm near Opelousas Louisiana deep in Acadiana country. Chef Paul was the youngest of 13 children. His last sister left home when he was only seven and he found himself in the kitchen with his mother learning the art of Cajun cooking. Void of electricity and refrigeration in those early days, Chef Paul learned the value of fresh. The rest is history.

If you want to celebrate Mardi Gras in your own way, try this recipe – Crawfish, Shrimp or Crabmeat in Cream Sauce Over Pasta. Perfect for this time of year. I like the option of selecting my favorite shellfish. If time does not permit shopping and cooking, let GourmetStation bring a little Mardi Gras to you or your gift recipient with our Cajun Cuisine Celebration…three and four course gourmet dinners from our Cajun collection.

Hail the rebirth of New Orleans and let the good times roll.

Welcome to our final romance tip on our count down to the most romantic day on earth, Valentine’s Day. After all the thinking, planning, scheming and preparing for today, this is all I have to say. Enjoy.

LOVE'S PHILOSOPHY

Percy Bysshe Shelley

The fountains mingle with the river,

And the rivers with the ocean;

The winds of heaven mix forever

With a sweet emotion;

Nothing in the world is single;

All things by a law divine

In another's being mingle - -

Why not I with thine?

See the mountains kiss high heaven,

And the waves clasp one another;

No sister flower could be forgiven

If it disdained its brother;

And the sunlight clasps the earth,

And the moonbeams kiss the sea;

Why are all those kisses worth,

If thou kiss not me?

Welcome to romance tip #13 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth, Valentine’s Day. If you’ve been busy, traveling, working on a big deadline, and haven’t had time to buy the perfect Valentine gift, I’ve got the answer.

As Concierge at GourmetStation I’m often asked what is our most impressionable and elegant gourmet food gift. I don’t have to hesitate to answer….our Dinner of the Month gifts. We offer 3, 6, 9 and 12 month programs for both three course and four course dinners. All dinners are for two, so you and your significant other may celebrate Valentines every month for many months to come. Now that’s a Valentine’s Day gift to grab their attention. Plus you may order online and have the certificate emailed in time for the big day. Bon appetit!

Welcome to romance tip #12 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth, Valentine’s Day. Time is running out so I’ll suggest a tip that you can use quickly such as a beautiful online greeting card.

I know what you’re thinking. Online greeting cards are about as unique as pigeons in the park. But stop right there. You haven’t been to Carmen Parra’s art. Inspired by father and internationally acclaimed architect, Manuel Parra, Carmen’s work is a mingling of heaven and earth as she weaves yesterday with the future in textures and colors that you will find mezmorizing. Spanish guitar music accompanies the ecard for an experience to capture their heart.

If you’re running out of time for a Valentines dinner reservation, it’s not too late to let GourmetStation come to the rescue. Delivery is still possible for the big day if you order today. Don’t miss out on fine dining in the most comfortable place on earth – home.

Welcome to romance tip #11 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth. Valentines and chocolates are a relationship made in heaven. As you think about chocolates, think out of the box, and I have some suggestions to help.

Grabbing a dozen red roses and a box of grocery store chocolates can provide a Valentine’s Day quick fix. You might stay out of the doghouse for the moment, but in the end it will be apparent that you didn’t put a lot of creativity and imagination into your gift. It’s so easy to ratchet up your imagination, spend a tad more money but leave an impression that lasts a lifetime.

One unique idea is a “chocolate within chocolate” gift. I know first hand because a dear friend gave me a “chocolate within chocolate” gift. This gift literally took my breath. It was a large heart made from Belgian milk chocolate. The chocolate heart was designed to be a container with a removable top. Inside were 15 gourmet truffles in a rainbow of colors, shapes and flavors including wild berry, cashew butter, key lime, and Tiramisu. Heavenly I say, heavenly!

The gift came from Signature Chocolates by Rena where you can find several chocolate within chocolate gifts. Don’t forget GourmetStation if you’re looking for a scrumptious Valentine dinner to go with your “original” chocolate gift.

Welcome to romance tip #10 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth. This tip is about as simple as simple can be, but might end up earning lots of points in the romance corner.

The idea is to create a romance memory chest. Now if you’re just beginning to date and you haven’t been seeing each other for very long, this idea might not work for you. But for those of you that have been together for a while, I guarantee success.

A few weeks ago I was rummaging through some old cd’s, photographs, scraps of this and that when I came across concert tickets to my favorite band. Talk about stirring old memories rich in fun, laughter and party. So I challenge you to do this. Find scraps of your most fun and memorable times together. The memory scraps could be concert tickets, photos of the two of you on your favorite vacation, matches from a favorite hotel or restaurant, a take out menu from a favorite dining spot. The list goes on, but I guarantee that touching and feeling these scraps will revive memories and guarantee a good laugh and a heart filled with gratitude for your time together. Put the memory scraps in a treasure chest and present them to your significant other with your flowers or other Valentine gift.

For fine dining at home this Valentines, have Valentines dinner at the most comfortable place on earth – home. GourmetStation’s Fantasy Romance menu is second to none in taste and ease of preparation. Leaving the rest of your evening to enjoy the memory chest.

Welcome to romance tip #9 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth. Valentines without flowers is like Christmas without Santa Claus. Most of us think of the rose at Valentines. So let’s look at the pros and cons of roses.

Roses are rich in history. They have symbolized love, beauty, war and politics since the beginning of civilization. During the Roman period they were used as confetti during celebrations. During the fifteenth century in England the white rose represented York, the red rose Lancaster, and the conflict between the two became known as “War of the Roses.”

Roses are said to be the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. And of course red is the color of life, the color of the blood in our veins, and a color that evokes emotion, passion, and other strong feelings.  With all this in your favor, why not roses?

I suggest that if your significant other is a traditionalist, buy red roses, and lots of them in the long stem variety. On the other hand, if your significant other is the antiestablishment type, you may rethink the opportunity. I had lunch with a friend the other day and we were discussing flowers. My friend said she was actually offended if she received red roes. Why? Because not enough thought & creativity had gone into the gift. If your significant other is not in the traditional groove, find out their favorite flower and make the Valentine bouquet predominately of that flower. If you don’t know their favorite flower, select a flower in their favorite color and have the florist make a monochromatic variety bouquet. Then there’s always the spring mixed variety with every color in the rainbow. In the end it’s about what pleases them so it’s best to use your instincts. 

For Valentine dinner this year consider fine dining at home with GourmetStation. My recommendation is the Fantasy Romance Menu.

Welcome to Romance Tip #8 of 14 – part of our countdown to the most romantic day on earth. Here are 10 variations of “I Love You” in different languages. Consider using them in your love letters or just reciting them in a light hearted fun way. Many thanks to Suleyman Sadi Seferoglu for this work of love.

Albanian - Te dua

Cantonese - Ngo oi ney

Chinese - Wo ie ni (Manderin, Cantonese)

Flemish - Ik zie oe geerne

French - Je t'aime

Hindi - Mein Tumse Pyar Karta Hoon

Italian - Ti amo

Japanese - Kimi o ai shiteru

Romanian - Te iu besc

Spanish - Te amo

Sorry I can’t help you with pronunciations. But I can give you a tip about a great way to create a perfect dining environment for Valentine. GourmetStation’s Valentine Fantasy Menu. Fine Dining At Home!

Welcome to Romance Tip #7 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth  -  Valentines. This post will share a few tips about the lost art of letter writing and how you can use your creative skills to impress your significant other with a simple letter.

I received a letter from a friend the other day. It was in a real envelope with a real stamp and I had to break the seal to read the contents. It had been so long since I received a real letter. Oh yes I receive lots of email from friends and associates every day. But it had been a while since I enjoyed a real letter experience. Now that Valentines Day is upon us, think about writing a real romantic letter to your significant other.

Don’t be shy. Your letter does not have to conform to any standard. It should reflect you, your personality, where you are in the relationship, and what you want to say. It can be serious, funny or both. The important thing is that it reflects the uniqueness that is you and only you. Here are a few tips to help you with your letter writing.

Write a letter each day for the 4 or 5 days leading up to Valentines.

If you really want to make an impression, have your letters delivered with their favorite flower or sweet treat.

If you live together or are married, leave little love notes/letters hide throughout the house – but always where you know they will find them.

Focus the letter on what you love about them. Pick 5 or 10 aspects of their personality that you find attractive and let them know in detail. It is easy to say ‘I love you’ but sometimes we don’t say why. Give their ego a boost. Let them know.

Use fun paper like the reverse of gift-wrapping paper.

Message in a bottle – write a letter & put in an empty bottle of significance / like their favorite wine or Champagne. 

If you want more tips on writing love letters, check out this resource. And if you are really dry on creativity see how the pros of days gone by broached the subject:

Victor Hugo 1821

John Keats 1820

King Henry IV of France 1593

Isadora Duncan 1904

If you really want to make a lasting impression, combine the love letter experience with dinner. Perhaps you might slip the letter under the dinner or dessert plate. GourmetStations's Fantasy Valentine Dinner might make the perfect stage for your letter. Good luck!

Welcome to Romance Tip #6 of 14 on our count down to the most romantic day on earth. This post give a few lessons on Champagne...a treasured beverage, a drink that epitomizes luxury and elegance. Where did it come from? Why do we cherish it for special occasions? And most importantly, why should it be part of your Valentine’s Day recipe for romance?

First of all, impress your Valentine with your knowledge of language and history. The name champagne is derived from Latin ‘campus’, ‘campania’ or field. In old French this became ‘Champaign’ and today it has evolved to Champagne. The first vineyards in the Champagne region were planted by the Romans. Religion has a part in the historical significance of champagne. Crusaders entrusted their property to the church during the eleventh century and many never returned. Further as Christianity spread, many vineyards were bequeathed to the monastic order. So over time many noteworthy vineyards in the region were held by the Church and produced wines that were considered worthy of offerings to God or King. These wines were used for sacrament, coronations and the royal table.

Around 92 A.D. many vineyards in France were uprooted by law to eliminate competition with Italian wines. The wines of Champagne were included in this decree but the vineyards were cultivated secretly for two hundred years until the decree was rescinded.  While the red wines of Champagne were popular, it was not until the mid 1600’s that history speaks of sparkling wine from the region.

Initial fermentation was like many inventions, purely by accident. Poor packaging and warm shipping days produced a secondary fermentation while the wine was in transit. Interest emerged and deliberate attempts to ferment the wine were carried out by the monastic orders of Pierry and Epernay. Cellar masters, Frère Jean Oudart (1654 – 1742) and Dom Pierre Pérignon (1639 – 1715) provided inspiration and direction to product the naturally sparkling wine that we know of today. Dom Pérignon is credited with saying, “Come quickly – I’m drinking stars.” Did I mention he was also blind? (For more on the history of champagne, I recommend this resource.)

If you wish to celebrate, celebrate with authenticity. Buy Champagne. Products derived outside of the Champagne region of France are called sparkling wine. For this special Valentine Day dinner, don’t cut corners. I recommend Dom Perignon 1998 Vintage rated 92 by Wine Spectator for about $110. Around 200,000 cases were made and it is described as having “a finely woven texture of tropical fruit, berry & citrus aromas ending with an after taste of dried fruit.”

I recommend chilling your Champagne the old fashioned way. In a bucket with ½ ice and ½ water for about 20 minutes. You may chill in the refrigerator for two to three hours, and the result may be the same, but the environment is not – and that is part of the fun. Don’t try aging Champagne as it does not improve with age – it actually starts to deteriorate after 3 or 4 years. When you are ready to serve, cut the foil, remove the wire hood and twist the bottle - carefully removing the cork. Use long stemmed narrow flutes. Not only are they attractive, they reduce the surface area and keep the bubbles from dissipating too rapidly. Pour gently and enjoy. If you wish more detailed information on serving, I recommend Ask Andy. Don’t forget a toast. This also might be the perfect time to read your love poem. If you're still seeking the perfect Valentine dinner to go with this fantastic bottle of Champagne, remember GourmetStation.

Welcome to post 5 of our 14 day countdown to the most romantic day on earth! This post reviews my choice of a romantic movie for after dinner entertainment. GourmetStation is pleased to present a four course Fantasy Dinner For Two fitting this special day.  -- Give me the classics anytime. For Valentines 2006 after dinner movie I recommend Romeo & Juliet. There are numerous film interpretations of Shakespeare’s classic, but my favorite is by Director Baz Luhrmann’s.

Luhrmann does not steer from the story line. Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love. Their relationship is in discord with the wishes of their rival families. But the passion of love does not bow to family pressures as the young lovers elope only to befall unspeakable tragedy.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet give passionate performances. What makes this vision of Romeo & Juliet over the top is the contemporary spin provided when the Montagues and Capulets move to Verona Beach. Edgy and violent at times, the film stays true to the original theme, love’s ultimate victory, even in tragedy. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Valentine's_Day, Romance, Love, Romantic_Movies, Food, Valentine_Gift

Welcome to post 4 of our 14 day countdown to the most romantic day on earth! This post discusses ways to create a romantic cozy bistro environment thorugh creative table setting. GourmetStation is pleased to present a four course Fantasy Dinner For Two fitting this special day.  -- Creating the cozy, romantic bistro environment is not hard. Just follow these few tips.

Start with a small table if you are serving two. If the table has a leaf, remove it. If it does not, then use a portion of the table. Don’t spread the place setting over a sparse large area. Cozy is the goal.

If your dining room is open and airy, close it in by moving house plants around the table to create a bistro effect. If you have some white or clear Christmas tree lights, pull them out and sparingly use them on large houseplants that surround your table.

Candles are a must. Use a selection of thick long burners, tiny tea candles, and tapered candles to create dimension with the subtle flickering light. If you are working with a monochromatic color scheme, make sure that your candles are coordinated. Remember to purchase non-scented candles so that the scents do not compete with the aroma of your cuisine.

Champagne is tradition for Valentines, so pull down your silver wine cooler. If you don’t have one, you can find silver plate variations relatively inexpensive at second hard stores. Make sure to use a white napkin around the neck of the champagne or wine bottle.

I recommend a monochromatic color scheme. If your china has a predominate color, use that color and add to the drama by using the same color with flowers. One area where I remain traditional is with tablecloth selection - stark white. The use of a monochromatic color on the white table cloth can be romantic and dramatic. Take the Ritz Carlton, for example. Their use of striking cobalt blue crystal on bright white linens creates a lasting impression.

I do not recommend red roses for the dining table. If you must rely on traditional red roses, use them in another part of the house. Use a flower arrangement that is low and does not tower over the table. Don’t use large multi color blossoms. Try and find subtle blossoms that coordinate with your primary table setting color.

Napkins folding can be fun and add a touch of elegance to any dining table. Here is a source for napkin folding with detailed instructions on how to properly fold.

Finally I recommend that you kick tradition out the front door. Don’t worry about what serving utensil goes where. Be original. Be yourself. And most of all have fun. Setting the table is not an exercise in correctness or tradition. It is your opportunity to show your style & creativity. Good luck!

Technorati Tags: Valentine's_Day, Romance, Love, Valentine_Gift, Food

Welcome to post 3 of our 14 day countdown to the most romantic day on earth! This post reviews an alternative to restaurants - Fine Dining At Home. GourmetStation is pleased to present a four course Fantasy Dinner For Two fitting this special day.  --  Look no more for romance dinner ideas. Without hesitation I recommend the Romance Fantasy Menu for your Valentine dinner. The quality of the cuisine and the convenience of preparation will make any Valentine suitor look like a hero. The Fantasy menu is taken partly from GourmetStation’s Parisian menu. In a recent survey by Zagat they determined that French is considered the most romantic cuisine, especially if served in a cozy bistro. In later posts we’ll talk about ways to create that cozy bistro environment at home, even if you live in a contemporary loft. (By the way, the runner up in the Zagat survey was Italian cuisine, and if food inspired by Tuscan recipes strikes your fancy, there is also a GourmetStation Tuscan Romance Menu.)

Back to the Fantasy menu, I recommend the Rosemary Boule. Boule is French for ball and the sourdough boule serves two. The Zagat survey also found that romance food that scored high marks was any kind of cuisine that could be eaten by hand and shared. The boule is a perfect sharing opportunity early in the dining experience. Don’t forget a good extra virgin olive oil.

For the soups I recommend one each of the bistro mushroom & sherry wine soup and the tomato basil soup. The variety dresses up the dining table and again, the opportunity to share & sample each other’s selections is fun. Soup preparation is easy – about 12 minutes on the stovetop while the entrees finish in the oven.

There are four entrée selections, lamb shank in rosemary mint sauce, chicken Normandy stuffed with apples & almonds (oh so French), Tilapia with green peppercorn sauce, and cheese tortellini with shrimps in lobster sauce. GourmetStation has covered all bases with meat, chicken, fish and pasta so make your selections based upon personal preference. Again, preparation is easy with entrees finishing in the oven in about 30 minutes.

For dessert there are two choices. White chocolate raspberry cheesecake or Amaretto bake your own cookies. My recommendation is the cheesecake but the cookies are interesting to prepare and delicious. Just a few minutes in the oven, and your entire house is filled with the rich aroma of chocolate and amaretto. Someone might think a professional pastry chef lives in your home!

GourmetStation offers three after beverage selections. St. Ives European blend coffee, regular or decaffeinated, and Numi organic honey bush tea. After dinner caramels top off the experience. GourmetStation has received rave reviews about the quality of the cuisine and ease of preparation, but they also receive accolades for the dining accessories. The Fantasy menu also includes two ecru cloth napkins with crochet trim, something nice to keep, a heart shaped candle inscribed with love, and a Valentine’s Day card that includes your personal message, the history of the event, and a beautiful poem.  The price for two is $99.99 plus $19.99 shipping and you’re destined to be a successful romantic this Valentines.

Welcome to post 2 of our 14 day countdown to the most romantic day on earth! This post shares a historical romantic love poem. GourmetStation is pleased to present a four course Fantasy Dinner For Two fitting this special day.

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning – 1806 – 1861

I selected this poem not only because it is beautiful but also because of the story it represents. Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning were hardly equals in the mid 1800’s. She was internationally acclaimed and he was little known. But after reading her poetry Robert Browning fell in love with Elizabeth. It would take five months of correspondence on Browning’s part before Elizabeth agreed to meet him. And only then did the meeting occur when Elizabeth’s tyrannical father was not at home.

Debilitated by mysterious diseases, Elizabeth suffered from uncontrollable pain and breathing difficulties. It was believed that the harsh London winters contributed to her poor health so her physician recommended a visit to Italy. Sadly her controlling father refused. It was at this point that Browning’s persistence helped Elizabeth to break free from the six-year confinement of her room. She decreased her use of morphine for pain and began to take walks outside. She contributes Browning’s love and persistence to her recovery.

In September they were secretly married and shortly thereafter fled to Italy where they lived happily for fifteen years. It was during this time of early courtship and marriage that How Do I Love Thee was written along with other verse and that would go down in history. Thanks to The History Channel for their beautifully written account of one of the most fascinating love stories of all times.

Technorati Tags: Valentine's_Day, Romance, Love, Valentine_Gifts

Welcome to post 1 of our 14 day countdown to the most romantic day on earth! This post reviews the history of Valentine's day. GourmetStation is pleased to present a four course Fantasy Dinner For Two fitting this special day.  --  Culture is ritualistic tradition that is practiced by society but is not instinctual. You might say that celebrating Valentines Day is cultural, but maybe not…especially if you believe that love is instinctual. Valentines Day is referred to as legend, an ounce of fact salt & peppered with imagination. So I’ll share a few snippets of legend from my favorite history resource, The History Channel, and suggest that you add your imagination. Sharing your perspective of the history of Valentines Day is something I suggest you do as part of your romantic tradition.

Valentines Day can be traced back to Roman tradition and there are three saints named Valentine or Valentinus. During third century Rome it is believed that Claudius II determined young men should trade a family life with a wife for a life as a soldier. So he forbade by law the marriage of single men. In defiance of Claudius Valentine continued to marry young lovers in secret. And the story ends with Valentine being ordered to death for his defiance by Claudius. That’s one version and isn’t it a beautiful legend wrapped around the passions of justice and love.

Another legend holds that the very first “valentine” greeting was sent by the saint himself while in prison. After falling in love with a young woman, perhaps the jailor’s daughter who visited Valentine while in prison, he sent an expression of love and appreciation signed “from your Valentine.”

Technorati Tags: Valentine's_Day, Romance, Love