Last Minute Love

In case you've been slacking off on making Valentine's Day plans, Eclipse di Luna- Miami Circle and Whole Foods Market have come to the rescue with events, recipes and gift ideas that don't require too much planning. While Eclipse di Luna keeps the party going for couples and singles with special cocktails and desserts in addition to a South Beach-inspired soiree complete with the sounds of DJ Mike Smith and percussionist DeShaun Williams beginning at 10:30 p.m., Whole Foods Market says home is where the heart is with romantic meal options, two dozen roses for $19.99, wine, gourmet cheeses and chocolates. Check out this article that ran in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today featuring these suggestions and more.

Eclipse di Luna in Buckhead: 764 Miami Circle; 404-846-0449. Admission is free.
Whole Foods Market: Seven Atlanta-area locations. For a store near you, click here.

It's Amore...

When home is where the heart is, make Whole Foods Market a stop on your homeward bound route. What better way to surprise your mate than with a homemade meal - straight from the heart. Don't forget about those other important elements of a romantic evening... flowers, wine, gourmet cheeses and chocolates. It's all good, and it's all under one eco- friendly roof... in seven locations around town.

Woodfire Grill is the perfect place for lovers during Valentine's week. Modern Romeos and Juliets will want to partake in the "Fools for Love" wine dinner benefiting the Georgia Shakespeare Theatre on Monday, February 9. The savory sonnet woos hearts with an hors d'oeuvre reception, three-course dinner with wine and cabaret entertainment for $100 per person. Date night on Friday, February 13, brings a choice of the full dining room menu or a special $65 per person, four-course Valentine's menu that includes a complimentary glass of cava. Woodfire Grill keeps it simple for starry-eyed couples on Saturday, February 14 by setting forth only the $65 four-course prix fixe menu, with several options for each course, along with a complimentary glass of cava and a take-home box of truffles. There's a place in their heart and on the menu for vegetarians, too. For reservations, call 404-347-9055. Woodfire Grill: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Road.

Give Your Man the Treat of Meat for Valentine's Day

Valentine’s Day is getting closer by the minute and I have some great suggestions for women who are looking to put a huge smile on their man’s face. Red meat and wine are sure-fire ways to a man’s heart, so this year Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, Morton’s the Steakhouse and Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery are at the top of my list for V-Day destinations with my hubby.

Valentine’s Day isn’t usually considered a man’s favorite holiday, but this year, Fogo de Chão’s 15 savory cuts of meat are giving men a new reason to look forward to the heart shaped boxes of chocolates and the inevitable red roses. The restaurant will be offering special Valentine’s Day hours, serving dinner from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 14. Fogo de Chão: 3101 Piedmont Road; 404-266-9988.

Morton’s the Steakhouse joins together its signature steak and seafood dishes in a heavenly match that’s just $99.99 for two. Each person will savor a single-cut filet; their choice of seafood options including Morton’s jumbo lump crab cake, Shrimp Alexander or broiled sea scallops; choice of Caesar or Morton’s salad; and a choice of Morton’s legendary hot chocolate cake or Key lime pie for dessert. Call ahead for reservations. Morton’s The Steakhouse-Buckhead: Peachtree Lenox Building, 3379 Peachtree Road, NE; 404-816-6535. Morton’s The Steakhouse-Downtown: SunTrust Plaza Building, 303 Peachtree Center Avenue; 404-577-4366.

And, if escaping the city is part of your quest for the ultimate love potion, venture to Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery in Dahlonega for the winery’s third annual Valentine Gourmet Dinner on Saturday, February 14 at 7 p.m. The six-course dinner with wine pairings costs $80 per person. Sunday, February 15 brings another option, Wolf Mountain’s Valentine Brunch for $30 per person at either the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. seating. Reservations are a must for these events; call 706-867-9862. Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

Fun and Casual Valentine's Day Dining Ideas

If you're looking out for your wallet or looking for something more casual than the traditional Valentine's Day options, Eclipse di Luna's Miami Circle location, all Marlow's Tavern locations and Uncle Julio's Casa Grande provide fun alternatives that won't break the bank:

Eclipse di Luna offers specialty drinks like a strawberry and ginger mojito, berry love martini and a heart-fluttering Red Bull drink on Valentine's Day. Dessert devotees will enjoy chocolate mousse with ganache, red wine and raspberry sauce and olive oil tuile. Around 10:30 p.m., the party starts as D.J. Mike Smith spins the place into the “Miami Love Lounge,” and the affair continues until 2:30 a.m. No cover. For reservations, call 404-846-0449. Eclipse di Luna in Buckhead: 764 Miami Circle.

All six metro-Atlanta Marlow’s Tavern locations have a huggable deal: a three-course Valentine’s Day menu for $29.99 per person. Marlow’s Tavern: Alpharetta at 3719 Old Alabama Road, 770-475-1800; Kennesaw at 745 Chastain Road, NW, 770-425-8777; Midtown at 950 West Peachtree Street, 404-815-0323; Vinings at 2355 Cumberland Parkway, 770-432-2526; Northlake at 4156 LaVista Road, 678-987-1197; and Duluth at 1950 Satellite Boulevard, 770-622-2033.

“Plato de Amor” sounds so romantic -- and tastes even more so when polished off with that special someone at Uncle Julio’s Casa Grande Monday, February 9 through Sunday, February 15. This spot is great for new couples, and the platter includes cold water lobster tail, shrimp brochette, chicken and beef fajitas, as well as guacamole, pico de gallo, rice and beans. Stay sweet by finishing with Uncle Julio’s famous coconut flan or cinnamon sugar-covered churros. Uncle Julio’s Casa Grande: 1860 Peachtree Road, NW; 404-350-6767.

Valentine's Day Dinner?

It's time to start making plans for Valentine's Day. The great thing about this year's lovely day is that it stretches out over the whole weekend! Throughout the week we'll be sharing with you all the best places around the city to make reservations for two.

For an intimate dining experiene outside of the perimeter, visit Aqua blue in Roswell. From Friday, February 13 through Sunday, February 15, the restaurant will offer a special prix-fixe, three-course Valentine’s menu for $55 per person (add $22 per person for wine pairings). The à la carte and sushi menus are also available. Add a bubbly champagne toast a long-stemmed red rose for $15. Enjoy live music beginnign at 8 p.m. with the sounds of Motown with Michael King on Friday and the music of Doug Easterly on Saturday. For reservations, call 770-643-8886. Aqua blue: 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road.

If you are staying in the city this Valentine's Day, Executive Chef Shane Touhy at Dogwood is whipping up something new. The special menu items include a jumbo shrimp cocktail with charred green tomato cocktail sauce; Charleston she-crab soup laced with golden sherry; a pastry wrapped filet of beef stuffed with Boursin cheese; and a red velvet Napoleon layered with mocha buttercream and topped with Cabernet macerated strawberries. If you are the sharing kind, Dogwood is offering an entrée for two that includes two baked and stuffed lobsters served with creamy grits and béarnaise sauce. For reservations, call 404-835-1410. Dogwood is located at 565 Peachtree Street.

Stay tuned for more specials around the city!