Need some ideas about how to celebrate your Valentine/Galentine/Palentine this year? The Idea Specialists™ at The Retreat at Mountain Brook—one of Birmingham, Alabama’s most picturesque and luxurious apartment home communities—are here with ideas that go above and beyond a box of chocolates!
Bonbon Hugs & Cocktail Kisses
Not that there’s anything wrong with a box of chocolates, especially if they’re the bonbons from Chocolatá in Forest Park!
Which will be even better if you savor them at home in comfort with a special Valentine’s Day cocktail like Love Potion No. 9, a triple berry pomegranate martini with strawberry vodka and Chambord—and a little dry ice for magically romantic presentation.
Another fun one to try might be the Clover Club, a pink drink that pre-dates Prohibition that was created as the signature sip of a group of high-powered businessmen who met at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The sweet and tart concoction combines grenadine, gin, and lemon, and the classic egg white foam gives each sip creamy body and frothy texture.
Of course champagnes and Proseccos are always good choices, and are available at a variety of price points at Highland Package Store on 20th Street South.
And if you want to show that someone special in your life a little extra love, you could whisper sweet nothings in their ear while feeding them sweet somethings that you made yourself. Check out Delish for recipes for everything from cannoli bites to red velvet ice cream.
Romantic Dining
Oh, wait, did the Retreat at Mountain Brook Idea Specialists™ just eat dessert first? They certainly did, LOL. But not to worry, they’ve got dinner covered, too, whether you want to eat in or go out on the town.
One of the wonderful things about living at The Retreat at Mountain Brook is great kitchens with enough counter space to make cooking a truly enjoyable experience.
It’s Delish again with the win for recipe ideas for tempting and tasty romantic meals. The Idea Specialists™ are real fans of their creamy steak fettucine paired with a winter rainbow panzanella salad of colorful, roasted squash and beets tossed in a tang-sweet dressing with fresh herbs, grapefruit, blue cheese, and toasted sourdough. Pretty and satisfying!
No time to do the cooking yourself? No problem! Birmingham favorite Ashley Mac’s has lovebirds covered this year with their signature Sweetheart Bundle of bayou gourmet crab cakes with sauce, brown sugar bacon green beans, twice-baked mashed potatoes, sour cream biscuits, AND a six-pack their exclusive Valentine’s red velvet, wedding cake, and strawberry mini cupcakes. With multiple locations, you can pick your up at a location convenient to work or home.
Somewhere Special
Sometimes you just want to celebrate somewhere special. This year, the Idea Specialists™ are making reservations at Bottega. The Dining Room Valentine’s Day menu offers incredible options for every course. Baked oysters with Tuscan spinach and focaccia breadcrumbs and baby artichokes agrodolce are just two of the starter choices, and entrees include a cioppino of lobster, Gulf fish, clams, and red wine, as well as a homemade pasta with braised pork belly and roasted vegetables. Dessert has simply got to be the chocolate torte with pistachio sauce and Valrhona dark chocolate, darling!
Love is in the beer at Back Forty Birmingham! Chef Russ Bodner and Head Brewer James Vance have worked up a fabulous food menu for this Valentine’s Day, starting with snacks followed by several courses, paired of course with a few bubbles and beer. Lots of beer! Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner promptly at 7 p.m.; get tickets here.
Or, party with the Young Professionals of Birmingham at the “Mix Her Up” Valentine’s Day Bash at Luna and enjoy drink specials, DJ beats, photo backdrops, giveaways, and fun along with the restaurant’s Latin food from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Other Ideas
Looking for other ideas of ways to mark the occasion, or simply to celebrate February? There’s everything from the good times rolling at the annual Ross Bridge Farmers Market Mardi Gras Market from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 10, 2024 to Valentine with Vulcan.
Check out Style Blueprint and AllEvents for more details.
