Are you a hopeless romantic? Do you love poetry? Would you like to express your emotions in poetry to someone special but don't have the writing talent? Well, I have a website for you. A Gift of Poetry. The next time you are preparing to celebrate a special occasion - like an anniversary, or a birthday - or just because, consider A Gift of Poetry.

The poems are personalized to each individual and their situation. As an example, this web page describes how a woman on her 1st wedding anniversary expressed love for her husband. As you can see, the profile of the individual was taken into account with real life examples of how the relationship had enriched each other's lives. The end result - My Lifetime Lover.

I can see other applications as well. In trouble with your significant other and need a little humor to break the ice? Consider a gift of apology along with a personalized poem from A Gift of Poetry. Let your imagination go. You may not be Edgar Allen Poe, but A Gift of Poetry is the next best thing!

New Valentine Dinner Delivered - GourmetStation

GourmetStation, the leading national merchant for gourmet dinner gifts, upscale gourmet meals and fine food gifts delivered nationally, announced the introduction of the Eiffel Tower Menu for Valentine dinners delivered.

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB) January 24, 2008 -- Valentine's Day is a booming event for restaurants. Finer establishments provide multiple seatings and are sold out weeks in advance. Long waits and the hassle can cause much stress. GourmetStation believes Valentine dinner is the last event that should be ridden with stress and proposes to send romantic Valentine dinners directly to romantic couples. With only 30 minutes preparation, romantics across the US can enjoy fine French cuisine in the comfort of home.

The Eiffel Tower menu sets the stage with elegant gift packaging featuring old world postcards from regions like Paris, Tuscany and New Orleans. Inside the elegant packaging is delicious cuisine starting with artisan bread, creamy soups, entrees like Chicken Montrachet and Salmon en Croute and chocolate truffle cheesecake with Euro blend coffee. 4 complimentary gifts include a heart shaped candle, Valentine poem, and bonus dessert & beverage. The price for this Valentine dinner delivered is $89.99 for two plus $19.99 shipping. Additionally, the company is offer 50% off 2nd day shipping.

"We selected French cuisine when developing the 2008 Valentine dinner delivered" says founder & President, Donna Lynes-Miller. "The French are romantic by nature and this romance is reflected in their elegant en Croutes and rich sauces. Our goal is to bring the elegance of a fine French restaurant to our patron's home."

About GourmetStation
GourmetStation delivers a delicious in-home dining experience complete with the flavor of travel to an exciting cultural destination. The online retailer offers the unique opportunity to give or receive a unique gourmet food gift to mark a life-cycle occasion or just to take a night off from cooking. GourmetStation offers multiple regional menu options including Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun, Fusion, Americana as well a Romance menu and seasonal menus like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine dinners delivered. The wide variety of destination themed food gifts is designed to spark the imagination of both the giver and receiver. Each chef-inspired dinner is intended to provide a dining experience similar to that of its regional inspiration.

Internationally themed three and four course gourmet meals are delivered anywhere in the United States. Deep-chilled gourmet dinners require only 30 minutes preparation include European blend coffee or organic tea, after-dinner candy, floating candle and matches. Prices for multi-course dinners for two range from $69.99 to $89.99. Gourmet gift certificates, including Dinner of the Month certificates and Soup of the Month certificates are ideal for birthdays and anniversaries. For more information, visit www.GourmetStation.com or call 1-888-944-9794.

Contact Information:
Donna Lynes-Miller
Founder & President

###

I love biscotti, as I am sure many of you do. Especially, the kind of biscotti that is dipped in dark chocolate on one end and served with a very strong dark coffee…ahhh…what a way to spend an afternoon in repose...meditating over a nice strong cup of coffee, with chocolate biscotti.  Just my preference…or so I thought.

I recently received a large gift basket of homemade “Rosemary Biscotti” from my friend “Rhubarb Barb”…a recipe contributor and comrade in arms go anywhere dining companion from a past gourmetstation blog on pies. Rhubarb pies to be specific.

The wonderful thing about the rosemary Biscotti was that it wasn’t overly sweet…or really sweet at all, but had a wonderful earthy natural flavor of rosemary and currants. An exceptional flavor profile as we used to say in the fast food business when sampling some new food offering that exceeded expectations...”yes a wonderful flavor profile.”

Well…as I thought more about it, where did biscotti come from? So I did a little research.

Well, obviously from the spelling, it had Italian origins and that much I knew. So after a little online digging I uncovered that “biscotto” means cookie and getting into the structure of the word reveals that the latin bis and coctum later becoming the Italian cotto means something like twice baked…the original process to prepare the traditional biscotti we are all used to eating. The twice baking gave the cookie the “finish” and crunch and provided the consistency. It was also used in those early roman times as a long shelf life baked good for easy transport and flavored with almond.

Well I am all for convenience and I also discovered online a device to allow for a faster baking process for those who have to worry about time and labor and energy costs. (It’s called Pipe and Bake System…google it under biscotti if you want to know more) They have figured out a whole new way to achieve the same results in a faster time frame then twice baking. Hmmm...does that then make this new product an “unacotti”??... once baked or from a traditionalists view point “half baked”…a subject no doubt for a future episode of Rachel Ray.

Well, even though biscotti is supposed to last a long, long time, at least from a perishable stand point, the rather large amount of rosemary biscotti that Barb sent me was gone in a week. What can I say… alone…with no shame and a hot beverage to wash it down, why the biscotti became my nightly and afternoon snack…and best new friend.

So if you would like to try some very tasty rosemary biscotti, Barb has included the credited recipe below.

Wedding Biscotti
Recipe courtesy Katie Lee Joel

Wedding Biscotti
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried currants

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, and 
rosemary. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer and a large mixing bowl, beat butter and 
sugar together until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Add the eggs, 
1 at a time, incorporating each egg fully before adding the next. Add 
the vanilla. and gently stir in the flour mixture until just 
combined. Stir in currants.

Cut dough in half and shape into 2 logs. They should be about a 12-
inches long; and 1-inch thick.

Bake until just starting to brown at the edges, about 35 minutes. Let 
cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets. While the biscotti logs 
are still warm, cut each log into 1/2-inch wide slices on the 
diagonal. Place the slices back on the baking sheet (using 2 baking 
sheets if necessary to fit all the slices). Bake for 7 to 8 minutes. 
Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Turn the biscotti over and 
bake for an additional 7 to 8 minutes, until the biscotti are crisp.

Let the biscotti cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet(s). Serve 
when cooled to room temperature, or store in an airtight container 
for up to 2 weeks.

There you have it. A great afternoon of baking and enjoyment and keep your friends in mind as it makes a great personalized gift……I know!

Mark Stine

According to legend, St. Valentine actually
sent the first Valentine greeting himself.
While in prison Valentine fell in love
with a young girl who often came to visit.
Before his death he wrote her a letter
signed "From Your Valentine."

FOR YOU MY LOVE
I have searched my heart
For the words to say
Just how much you mean to me
This Valentine's Day.

You are All of God's Blessings
Rolled into one
My dreams, my desires
My nightfall, my sun.

My every waking moment
My hopes and my fears
My disillusion, my contentment
My joy and my tears.

But most important of all
I thank God when I pray
Because you make every moment
My Valentine Day.

For food gifts, Valentine dinner delivered, gourmet dinner gifts or gourmet meals delivered, please visit GourmetStation.com

Valentine's Day is prime time for most restaurants. Reservations are difficult to secure. Waits are often long. Valentine's Day is one day we do not need more stress. Let GourmetStation take the stress out of Valentine 2008 by sending the restaurant to you.

Our Eiffel Tower menu is French cuisine at it's best - 4 delicious courses in this exquisite romance dinner for two. We are including 4 complimentary gifts plus offering 50% off 2nd day shipping. Details for our Valentine Dinner Delivered are a click away. Plus we have a full line up of romantic dinners delivered from our Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun, Fusion & Americana menus. Bon appetit!

If you're seeking food gifts that are a cut above the crowd, try our gourmet meals delivered. These exquisite gourmet dinner gifts are delivered in free packaging nationwide.

It’s July and hot in the south. Some might say, “not very romantic.” Gone are the red roses from Valentines Day and here we are in the dog days of summer. So how do we put a little zip into these days – a little romance and intrigue, so to speak.

I have an idea…..of course, it relates to food. Maybe you’ve having an anniversary this month and you’re thinking about anniversary dinner ideas. Or maybe you just want to show love and appreciation for no reason at all. Try planning a small intimate dinner party for two for your significant other. Make it a surprise if you wish and pull out all the bells and whistles. If it’s not too warm outside, consider dining out doors. If you can find flowers growing naturally in your yard or area, consider these flowers instead of pricey arrangements from the florist. Don’t forget a nice wine – if you need help in this category, check out wine consultant Susan Anderson’s suggestions.

Now for the menu. Let GourmetStation do the work for you with their gourmet dinner delivery. All you need to do is heat & serve and the cuisine is extraordinary. For a romantic occasion or an anniversary dinner idea, I recommend the Parisian anniversary dinner delivered – or the Tuscan Romance meal delivered. I recommend lamb shank and salmon en Croute from the Parisian menu and chicken Saltimboca and baked salmon with sundried tomato alfredo sauce from the Tuscan menu.  Priced at $110 for two including shipping, you won’t be able to shop, chop and serve cuisine of this quality and beat the price. Both menus are delightful and give you the time off to relax and get on with the romance of your evening. Good luck.

For a food gift they will long remember, bookmark GourmetStation.

To all you hopeless romantics across the world, Happy Valentine's Day!

To all our loyal patrons that supported GourmetStation by purchasing our romantic dinners delivered this Valentine's Day, a heartful "Thank You."

If you've let the day slip your mind, here is a beautiful e-card site that has unique and top quality e-greeting cards.

Valentine Day count down is on for you hopeless romantics with only 11 days left to plan your Valentine dinner and party. I’ve already given you tips on how to boycott cooking Valentine dinner with a gourmet dinner delivered from GourmetStation. My recommendation is the Eiffel Tower menu. Not only can you whisp them away to France with a taste of Paris, you’ll also receive free shipping, leaving you with dollars to spend on other aspects of your Valentine Day party.

So what can you do with those extra $. Where can you spend them? I’ve got the perfect solution thanks to my friends Mark Deutsch & Cathryn Barmon of Undici.com. Mark & Cathryn are consultants with for a cool company called Plum Party. This web site lets you take any party or event to the next level with unique party supplies. Pretty serving plates and coordinated table accessories are just the beginning. What caught my eye was party accessory themes – after all, we’re all caught in a creative drought from time to time. Just go to Plum Party and let them help you select a unique theme. What about a 1950’s theme party with rock & roll accessories. They even have retro sunglasses. Or an Elvis party – the king lives at Plum Party.

What caught my eye was one particular offering – a Valentine Day romance kit to go with your romantic dinner delivered from GourmetStation. Here’s what you get:

Set of 6 Sweetheart Badges, Lacy White Heart Banner - 7" by 12", Heart Centerpiece - 8" by 11"/Two-sided, Shiny Hearts - Package of 40 assorted sized shiny foil hearts, 'Be My Valentine' Banner, Valentine Loot Bags - 5.5" by 9"/Pack of 12/Six designs/2 of each style, Cupid Cut Outs - 6 Piece Set/3 sized cupids/2 of each, White Fun Fringe - 25' of tissue festooning, and Pink Fun Fringe - 25' of tissue festooning.

Talk about doing it right. This Valentine’s Day a dinner from GourmetStation with party accessories by Plum Party will put your event over the top. Go for it!

Bouna di San Valentino:

Romance is born in the spirit of your heart and is nurtured by the experiences of your life.  One of the finest places to nurture the sweetness of romance is Tuscany. 

Here you enjoy the beauty of a Tuscan sunset… a special passeggiata with your sweetheart… the romance of wineries and vineyards nestled on the Chianti hillsides… flowing fields of sunflowers   

and the beauty of romantic hill towns.  And of course, there is always the romance of the Vespa. Tuscany is a romantic paradise. Some believe there is no better place to celebrate the day tradition has set-aside for San Valentino than in this beautiful province of Italy.

While some Tuscan couples follow the tradition of visiting a ristorante or trattoria as part of the romantic celebration in honor of San Valentino, others prepare a special dinner at home.  Typically, the table is decorated with many candles and red roses. It is also Tuscan tradition that some of the home prepared foods include hot pepper and chocolate.

One of the traditional dishes, which is prepared in honor of San Valentino, is spaghetti with hot pepper.  To prepare it, put extra virgin olive oil, some cloves of garlic and anchovies into a large pan.  When the garlic turns a light gold color, add hot pepper, turn off the fire.  Add the parsley, coarsely chopped, and then, add the spaghetti “AL DENTE” mix together and serve.  This is a true Italian dish with the color of our flag.

It is also tradition to make a special cake called Cuore di Cioccolato for this special day.  For you, we have included the recipe in both Italian and English.

CUORE DI CIOCCOLATO

Ingredienti:   

·        4 uova

·        gr.120 zucchero

·        gr.300 cioccolato fondente al 70%

·        gr.35 mandorle in polvere (o tritate finemente)

·        gr.120 farina 00

·        gr.120 burro

·        un po’ di caffè istantaneo in polvere (NESCAFE)

·        g.150 di marmellata di arance

·        10 lamponi o scorze zuccherate di arancia

·        Petali di rose per decorare

·        Sale

·        ½ cucchiaino da caffé di lievito

Procedimento:

Accendere il forno a 180 gradi.

Sciogliere gr. 150 di  cioccolato a bagnomaria. Ammorbidire il burro e lavorarlo con metà dello zucchero, fino ad ottenere una crema soffice, aggiungere il cioccolato sciolto un cucchiaio per volta e continuare a mescolare,  aggiungere i tuorli di uovo 1 per volta. Montare a neve gli albumi con un po’ di sale e lo zucchero rimasto, unirlo all’impasto con il cioccolato, aggiungere la farina molto lentamente, la farina di mandorle ed il lievito.

Versare il composto in una teglia a forma di cuore e cuocere a 180 gr.per 30/45 minuti.

Quando il dolce è cotto sfornarlo e aspettare che si raffreddi. Tagliarlo a metà orizzontalmente per farcirlo. Spalmare sia le parti interne che l’esterno con la marmellata diluita con 2/3 cucchiai di acqua tiepida. Sciogliere il resto del cioccolato fondente e con la metà farcire la torta, il resto ricoprire la torta, decorare a piacere

(A PIACERE SI PUO’ AGGIUNGERE UN PO’ DI POVERE DI PEPERONCINO ALL’IMPASTO)

CUORE DI CIOCCOLATO

Ingredients:   

·        4 eggs

·        120 grams of sugar

·        300 grams of dark chocolate (70%)

·        .35 grams of almond powder (or finely chopped)

·        120 grams of flour grade 00

·        120 grams of butter 

·        a little powdered instant coffee (NESCAFE)

·        150 grams of orange marmalade

·        10 rasberries or sugared orange skins 

·        Rose petals for decoration

·        Salt

·        ½ teaspoon of powdered yeast

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Melt 150 grams of dark chocolate in a double boiler.  Soften the butter and work it with half of the sugar until it gets soft and creamlike.  Add the soft chocolate a spoon at a time and continue to mix adding the yolks of the eggs one at a time.  Whip the egg whites with a little salt and the remaining sugar, blending the mixture with the chocolate and add the flour, the almond powder and the yeast very slowly.

Pour the mixture in a heartshaped pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes.  When the cake is cooked, take it out and let it cool.  Cut the cake in half horizontally so that filling may be put in.  Spread marmalade (diluted with 2 or 3 spoons of warm water) on the inside parts and the cake.  Dissolve the rest of the chocolate. Use half to fill the cake and put the pieces together.  With the rest of the chocolate, decorate the cake.  Use rose petals for decoration.

(If it pleases you, add a little hot chilly powder to all the ingredients.)

To all we wish a most wonderful Valentine’s Day.  May the true spirit of romance be in your heart.

Ciao,

Simonetta, Edie and Dave

Casa Bellavista

FotoToscana

For an exquisite gourmet food gift this Valentine's Day, visit GourmetStation.

As Valentine’s Day approaches once more, the annual conundrum kicks off yet again…..what can I do to impress my significant other this year? My answer is simple, and always well received – make some extra effort to cook the very best romantic dinner for 2 that you can confidently accomplish!

And then ofcourse there are those little extras that will truly set the scene, create the right ambience and show that you truly care. Here are my top 10 “must-do’s” for creating a seductive and romantic atmosphere:

1. Clean the house like you’ve never cleaned it before!
2. If you have children, get a baby sitter for the night. If that’s not possible, prepare an early supper for them and pack them off to their room to watch tv and play.
3. Buy in some fresh flowers, the best that you can afford.
4. Buy him or her a small,  but very personal gift…..but don’t be too extravagant!
5. Make some extra effort with your appearance on this day. Whether that means a new hair style or a new item of clothing, it’s important for YOU to feel good about YOURSELF!
6. On this day especially, focus on the good times that you have together. Enjoy it, wallow in it!
7. Arrange the lighting to create the right mood. Light some candles….lots of candles!
8. Choose some appropriate music, something that you BOTH like.
9. And finally, cook and serve the very best (again, it doesn’t have to be extravagant) dinner that you are capable of.
10. Oh, and leave the washing up until tomorrow…..and under no circumstances should you let your partner do it! This occasion is to be enjoyed, by BOTH of you!

Now I would like to share with you a recipe for a main course which NEVER fails to impress.

Chateaubriand with Portobello Mushrooms and Madeira Wine Jus

Serves 2

1lb to 1 1/2lb (500g to 750g) center-cut beef fillet

2 large portobello mushrooms, washed & unpeeled

2 cloves garlic (optional)

4 tablespoons olive oil

Knob (small piece) of butter

1 tablespoon brandy

1/2 cup (4 fl oz) Madeira Wine (or red wine if you prefer)

salt and freshly milled black pepper

METHOD

For this chateaubriand recipe, you will need a large cast iron or steel frying pan or skillet - one without a wooden or plastic handle that can go inside the oven. If you don't have one, use a medium size, lightly oiled heavy based roasting tin for the oven cooking, and a frying pan for the stove top cooking.

1. Preheat the oven to 445F, 230C, gas mark 8. If you are using a different pan for the oven cooking, put it in the oven to get really hot.

2. Season the chateaubriand with freshly milled black pepper.

3. Put the pan that you are using on the stove over a medium/high heat and add 2 tablespoons of oil. Allow it to get very hot until it just starts to smoke.

4. Keeping the heat on high, add the beef fillet to the pan and quickly sear one side, and then the other. This should only take a minute or two at the most to achieve a crusty golden seal.

5. Now put the pan straight into the oven (or transfer to the preheated oven pan) on the middle shelf and roast for 10 to 15 minutes depending on how rare you like it.

6. While that's happening, cut the mushrooms into thick slices. If you are using the garlic (some folk prefer not to mix romance with garlic!), chop it finely. Now pour yourself a glass of wine.....and relax for a few minutes!

7. When the chateaubriand is ready, remove it from the oven and carefully transfer to a warmed plate and cover loosely with a piece of tin foil. Then leave it to rest for 15 minutes.

8. Reheat the stove top pan or skillet with about 2 tablespoons of the fat and juices from the beef pan. When it's hot, add a knob of butter.

9. Add the garlic to the pan and quickly stir through the hot fat to color slightly. Then add the sliced mushrooms and a seasoning of salt and freshly milled black pepper.

10. Now sauté the mushrooms for about 2 minutes turning frequently adding a little more oil if the pan becomes too dry.

11. Turn the heat up to maximum and deglaze the pan by adding the brandy If you are feeling like a professional chef by now (!), and you are heating by gas, tilt the pan towards the open flame to let it flambé.

12. Once the brandy has all but evaporated, turn the heat down to low and add the Madeira wine. Allow it to simmer gently and reduce for about a minute.

13  Carve the beef fillet in thick slice and arrange on a warm serving plate. Pile the mushrooms on top and drizzle the Madeira jus over.

And don’t forget to buy a nice bottle of wine to accompany your culinary creation! I would recommend a good quality Cabernet sauvignon. This wine is full of body and packed with intense flavors of blackberry, plum and spicy oak – a perfect accompaniment.

One final note. Valentine’s Day is a time when we should all appreciate and enjoy the love that we have found in our lives……so don’t spoil it by getting stressed out trying to be too adventurous in the kitchen! Keep it simple. “Cheat” a little and buy in the appetizer and dessert courses from a reputable supplier such as GourmetStation….no one need ever know your little “secret”!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S!

“There is no sincerer love, than the love of food."

George Bernard Shaw 1856 – 1950

Robert Jackson

Gourmet Food Revolution

Gourmet Food At Home – Effortless Solutions For Easy Entertaining

See my suggestion for a full three course Valentines Menu

It's not too early to start thinking about what to do for a romantic Valentine dinner. If you wish to have an exceptional dinner deliverd this Valentines and let someone else do the shopping, chopping, and cooking - look no further. Enjoy this hot off the press release!

GourmetStation, Provider Of Upscale Gourmet Dinners Announces New Eiffel Tower Menu – Valentine Dinner Delivered

GourmetStation, the leading national merchant for gourmet dinners, upscale prepared meals and fine gourmet food gifts delivered nationally, announced the introduction of a new Valentine Dinner For Two – the Eiffel Tower Menu.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, GourmetStation announced they are accepting reservations for their Valentine Dinner Delivered – Eiffel Tower Menu. The menu has been designed with authenticity and convenience in mind. With about thirty minutes preparation time any romance seeker can enjoy a romantic Valentine dinner at the most comfortable place on earth – home. To sweeten the offer GourmetStation is offering free 2 day shipping in addition to two complimentary romance gifts.

The menu theme was conceived to allow the romantic couples to take an imaginary culinary journey to the most romantic place in the word – Paris. The Parisian menu for two consists of French baguettes, creamy mushroom and sherry wine soup, tomato basil soup, salmon en Croute, chicken Montrachet and Amaretto cheesecake. Euro blend coffee and after-dinner candy round out the Valentine dinner delivered with a complimentary Valentine poem and floating heart shaped candle. The menu for two with complimentary gifts is priced at $89.99 plus free 2 day shipping.

“We thoroughly enjoyed creating this year’s Valentine menu” says Donna Lynes-Miller, founder and President of GourmetStation, “Our goal is to remove the stress of Valentine dinner by delivering a romantic dinner experience right to our patron’s door.”  Lynes-Miller went on to comment, “Leaving the shopping and cooking to GourmetStation allows romantics to enjoy each other’s company and after all, that’s what the evening is all about.”

About GourmetStation
GourmetStation delivers a delicious in-home dining experience complete with the flavor of travel to an exciting cultural destination. The online retailer offers the unique opportunity to give or receive a unique gourmet food gift to mark a life-cycle occasion or just to take a night off from cooking. GourmetStation offers multiple regional menu options including Parisian, Tuscan, Cajun, Fusion as well a Romance menu and seasonal menus like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine dinner delivered. The wide variety of destination themed food gifts is designed to spark the imagination of both the giver and receiver. Each chef-inspired dinner is intended to provide a dining experience similar to that of its regional inspiration.

Internationally themed three and four course gourmet meals are delivered anywhere in the United States. Deep-chilled gourmet dinners require only 30 minutes preparation include European blend coffee or organic tea, after-dinner candy, floating candle and matches. Prices for multi-course dinners for two range from $69.99 to $89.99. Gourmet gift certificates, including Dinner of the Month certificates, are ideal for birthdays and anniversaries. For more information, visit GourmetStation.com or call 1-888-944-9794.

Contact Information:
Donna Lynes-Miller
Founder & President

GourmetStation

# # #

Would you care to guess what’s the most sought after idea on our blog and web site? Romance ideas.  Now if we stand back a bit, I suppose it comes as no surprise. Cupid doesn’t wait until February 14^th to strike. Lovers and would be lovers are seeking romantic dinner ideas every day to make an impression on their heartthrob.

I’m going to make your life easier. Our friend Robert Jackson at Gourmet Food Revolution has given you a full guide to romantic dinner ideas.  His romantic dinner recipe goes far beyond “how to.” Robert even gives you history, trivia and dinner table chitchat. Don’t wait until next Valentines Day to pull off a romantic dinner at home. Start today.

Oysters Rockefeller – Rich in taste, rich in history. Click on this link and learn the connection of oysters and the Rockefeller family.

Chateaubriand With Portobello Mushrooms & Madeira Wine Jus – What’s the relationship of a small roast to the famous chef Montmireil? Click this link and find out. (If you can’t hire a butler for your romantic dinner, just read on.)

Chocolage & Cointrea Mousse - Chocolate was a favorite of Montezuma, Emperor of Mexico, who was said to indulge in goblets for aphrodisiac reasons before entering his harem. No wonder chocolate is the dessert flavor of choice for romantics.

The rest is up to you. Have fun.

Many thanks to guest writer Mark Stine for his perspective on French cuisine and how you can bring a piece of Paris to your significant other for that perfect anniversary dinner gift.

My first vision of Paris was through the eyes of a 15-year-old leaving North America for the first time. Sure I had been to Quebec City with its famous Chateau Frontenac and Montreal for the World’s fair….But the level of sophistication for travel was not the same as today…no internet…no GourmetStation to be a culinary guide before embarking on such a journey…just the adventure of going someplace exotic…as only one who is young and impressionable can experience.

The journey started with a trek through Germany and Belgium and then on to London where a ferry ride from Dover connected me to an aged train coach that took me into Paris. ..the place that inspired GourmetStation’s Parisian menu line.  Had I known then what I know now, I could have enjoyed the culinary experience even more.

Paris was magical in April…young people thrown together…a light mist of rain drifting down from the sky added a glowing framework for the City of Lights.  It was romantic even for 15 and 16 year olds. It created an instilled memory of ultimate romance as girls and boys walked hand in hand down the Champs Elysee.  Ah, young love…to be equally savored.

But the food…  tres’ magnifique! My first exposure to French cuisine was the pastry, which inspired the dessert lines at GourmetStation. And the dinners….late night dining…Le Nuit de Paris….special French sauces…fine china to accent the properly and handsomely displayed food presentations.

It wasn’t until many years later that I returned to Paris when my older and wiser palate was able to enjoy the pairings of wine and food. Classic French dishes…fine Boudreaux’s….uncompromising desserts. The team at GourmetStation worked diligently to master and replicate the fine French flavors. The selection of Bistro Mushroom & Sherry Wine Soup complimented by Salmon En Croute coupled with Chicken Montrachet can bring the flavors of Paris right to your dining table. So if you can’t take your significant other to Paris for a romantic anniversary dinner, bring Paris to them.

You can replicate a night in Paris for you and your romantic partner. My recommendation is to use the service and the Parisian menu to create the ultimate anniversary dinner at home. Pick up an old Jacques Brel cd or a 40’s vintage Edith Piaf…light the candles..turn the music low and let GourmetStation do the rest. The memory will linger long after the anniversary has ended and the delight is that you can do it again and again. Give more than a unique anniversary gift, give an experience!

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.