Loves Bounty: Shared Experiences

There are numerous anecdotes, tales and myth that surround The Feast of St. Valentine.

One popular story speaks of the reign of Emperor Claudius Gothicus II. It is said that St. Valentine would secretly marry Christian couples, so the men wouldn't have to go off to war. Needless to say, any respectful, self-aggrandizing, demagogue, pagan Emperor would not take lightly to this. Claudius was no different; greatly affronted by St. Valentine's audacity, he decided to take action and St. Valentine was subsequently martyred.

Another fun story speaks of the Pagan celebration of Lupercalia. This ancient Roman festival occurred on February 15th and is connected to an ancient wolf deity who protected herds from wolves. The festival also makes connections to the legendary she-wolf who reared Romulus and Remus, mythological founders of Ancient Rome. Each Lupercalia began with a blood sacrifice of a goat and dog by the high priest. The young men taking part in the ritual would then run around trying to splash this blood on any nearby women, rendering them fertile.

Whether Pagan, Christian, other or none, Valentine's Day is no longer one mired in religion or barbarity. Today, it is a time to celebrate with loved ones, platonic or romantic. No secret clandestine meetings or rituals required (or bloodshed).

This year, Valentine's Day will take on an extra special significance. It is the first Valentine's Day since the landmark LGBT marriage ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States, a major victory for Human Rights, those in love and a symbol of hope.

If you currently don't have a love of your own, it doesn't matter. The opportunity to celebrate with friends you love is one that shouldn't be overlooked. We live in a wonderful time in history: Marriage doesn't need to happen in secret, we won't be martyred for who we love, nor do we need to sacrifice goats and dogs. True, in many parts of the world, this isn't yet the case, and may not be for many years to come, but the momentum is undeniable. Use this opportunity to be present in the moment with those you love and savor the experience of time together.

My favorite way of celebrating with friends is dining out. Spending quality time in a beautiful restaurant with a delectable array of food and drink and a veritable army of people there to take great care of my guests and I. Many restaurants will offer a prix fixe menu for special occasions like this.

Technically, prix fixe means, "fixed price," but it has become colloquially known as a fixed menu. This menu is one that has been carefully curated and paired with beverages by the chefs, managers and their beverage team. The traditional and technically correct French term for this sort of experience is known as "Table d'H�te," the polar opposite of "a la carte."

The idea behind fixed menus is closely linked to the Japanese Omakase dining tradition. Omakase roughly translates to "Chef's Choice," and is an amazing way to experience something truly exceptional. For execution's sake, however, restaurants must plan their menus to the smallest detail, so the whimsy of "chef's choice" becomes slightly more calculated and well thought out in the form of a Prix Fixe menu.

Guests will typically have a choice between starters, entrees and dessert, depending on the restaurant, with many establishments offering a beverage pairing, as well. I highly suggest opting for these types of menus, as they offer an experience, not just food to be selected and consumed. If a beverage pairing is offered, take it! Pairing food and beverages is truly an admirable skill, and something to be appreciated. At The Patio on Goldfinch, we are forging ahead with what we call "The Ultimate Pairing." This is a pairing that transcends the categories of just wine, just beer or just cocktails.
All beverages are considered when tasting a dish.

For example, on our Restaurant Week menu, we recently featured a Blood Orange and Beet Salad paired with Por Siempre Sotol. Sotol is a spirit from Mexico made from the Desert spoon plant. It has an inherent, earthy quality and a delicate suggestion of sweetness that absolutely sings when consumed alongside beets.

Some of the other food items were paired with wines, while others with mezcal and tequila. Again, this was a truly unique experience offered, and not just presenting menu items for consumption. A day like Valentine's Day deserves a special experience. After all, what better way to get close to someone than by shared experiences?

We, as restaurateurs, are constantly looking for ways to innovate and set ourselves apart from the competition but when we stop actively looking outside our walls and really begin looking within is when we truly begin to evolve our offerings and are able to present unique experiences to our guests. Creating menus with pairings like these are what excites food and beverage professionals; this is why we do what we do. Take a small leap of faith, and put yourselves in our hands.

I believe the same can be said to be true when it comes to romance. Don't look to the restaurant, movie theater or park bench to supply you with romance and love. That can only come from within. So surround yourself with those you love, choose your favorite restaurant and share a wonderful
experience together.