Dining Your Valentine

February 1999

Rose growers have been nursing their crops for the past month to get a bumper harvest ready just in time; candles have been ordered, extra staff booked in restaurants; musicians preparing 'romantic' medleys; chefs designing dishes 'for two'.

Yes, it's Valentine's Day coming up, it's usually hot and the candles make dining oppressive, the roses wilt and the food melt.

But what's love got to do with it, some cynics would say, it's all about marketing the concept of romance.

For those who think of the stomach before the heart, there is an interesting gastronomic opportunity at the Hotel Sofitel.

During the afternoon of Valentine's Eve, Saturday 13 February, you can spend five hours in the kitchen of the hotel's Culinary Academy directed by chef Stuart Walsh who will teach you how to prepare and cook a dinner party menu consisting of - Parcel of smoked salmon and Asian scented crab; Fillet of beef char-grilled with pommes fondant, panache of seasonal vegetables; Beetroot poached pear with hazelnut pannacotta. After 'school' you can retire to your 'king room' accommodation for a room service dinner or take off your Culinary Academy apron, get dressed and ascend to Le Restaurant on the 35th floor (the full a la carte menu is available or you could sample the dishes you've just learnt) There are a maximum of eight places in the Culinary Weekend (ph 9650 4242).

Couples who share culinary passions but don't want to do the work (cooking that is) themselves, have lots of dinner choices available. Many places normally closed on Sundays are opening specially for the 14th. Or you could take the opportunity to travel out of the city and dedicate the whole weekend to the celebration.

Going west, Warrenmang Vineyard Resortdescribes itself as "a paradise for lovers of wine, food and nature." The chalet style cottages do provide peaceful and comfortable accommodation after a day visiting the Pyrenees vineyards nearby. Weekend packages are available or you can book in just for the Sunday night with dinner in the award winning restaurant. (ph. 5467 2233)

Towards the north, below Mansfield and the mountains, is the Howquadale Gourmet Retreat. Here you must book for the entire 'Gorgeous Weekend' which starts with dinner on Friday night and ends with lunch on Sunday. Weather permitting, chef-owner Marieke Brugman may serve dinners outside under the light of Balinese candelabra with good local wines chosen by co-owner Sarah Stegley who is also in charge of organising horse riding, swimming, bush walks and all sort of other energetic options. (ph. 5777 3503)

The Mornington Peninsula is a good choice for Valentine's wine lovers. Lindenderry At Red Hill is conveniently located for vineyard visits. The restaurant is booked out for lunch but on the Sunday night the dining room will be filled with candles overlooking a very pretty garden. Accommodation is still available on Sunday evening after an a la carte dinner, chocolate heart shaped dessert and the romantic accompaniment of harpist, Pamela Raines. (ph. 5989 2933)

High above the ocean, Chris's Beacon Point restaurant provides lots of seafood and a fabulous view over Apollo Bay. Originally from Greece, owner-chef Chris Talihmanidis serves traditional Greek fisherman's soup, classic mussels mariniere, 'simply the best' crab salad, char-grilled octopus and calamari as well as old fashioned peppered porterhouse and aged eye fillet with English Stilton. Lunch will be very busy but dinner would be a good option if you can still get one of the motel style cabins on the cliff edge. (ph. 5237 6411)

In the south, near Sale, Kilmany Park Mansion has some grand rooms available for Valentine's weekend. Owner Anne Goble is offering her guests champagne and chocolates in the rooms and a picnic hamper made from Gippsland produce including Stratford smoked meats, East coast eel, Tarago cheese and locally grown fruit and vegetables. The rooms are large, furnished with antiques and filled with fresh flowers from the gardens around the house. Tall windows open onto a wide balcony which surrounds the National Trust listed home, bought by Anne Goble and Daryl Page in 1995 as their private home with bed and breakfast accommodation. Valentine's guests will be served a full cooked breakfast and can check out as late as 4pm. (ph. 5144 2222)