JCW Valentines Day
1. The cliché of Valentine’s Day is that it is all about chocolate and roses and happily ever after. Somehow the reality is always more complicated than that.
2. The real St Valentine was a third century celibate who was clubbed to death and then beheaded - which just goes to show that there are many valid ways to celebrate this festival.
3. There are often problems associated with February 14th. While St Valentine’s problems with the club and the axe probably puts the rest of us to shame, the most common problem with Valentine’s Day is that people leave it to the last minute and then panic when they don’t have a plan.
4. At the last minute all the obvious options are already taken. Don’t even try and get a table at Auberge Michel – they were booked up a month ago.
5. So here are some unobvious and still available (I’ve checked) foodie options to ensure that your loved one doesn’t take the club and the axe to you …
OPTION 1: Pricy but fabulous gourmet glamour option:
• The Westcliff Hotel still has places for its overnight gourmet option: a night in the hotel plus dinner provided by Chef Stefano Strafella from the Belle Terrasse Restaurant.
• The Westcliff has a super romantic view. At this time when we are all feeling a bit sour on our city (all the load shedding etc) it is nice to be reminded of how very beautiful it is. No better place to do this from than the Westcliff.
• They are offering a set menu which includes scallops with mushroom confit, champagne parfait and chocolate torte with lavender foam.
• They have a Suite Intimacy package where the supper and breakfast menu comes to the room. A butler sets the table. (2950 per person sharing)
• 011 481-6000
OPTION 2: Long term edible love option
• Martine de la Harpe at Flower Power will design you an edible Elizabethan love knot garden using the herbs and edible flowers of love. It can be customized to your garden requirements.
• Violets – the flower of Aphrodite. Love in the Mist – edible flower, Marjoram – the herb symbolizing nuptial happiness. Bay for protection etc. Roses customized for individual needs (I know someone who has one with Walter Sisulu rose (red) and Albertina Sisulu rose (white) in the centre but there are others – Heart throb, Pretty Lady, Kiss, Playmate etc are all types of rose.
• R1500 if she designs it and you implement it yourself. Cost varies if she implements the design (depends on the size of the garden and the herbs that you choose).
• Call Flower Power at 011 783 2636
OPTION 3: Deliciously beautiful
• Body Therapy Medi Spa in Groenkloof in Pretoria do a chocolate scrub and body wrap for R450.
• Warm high quality chocolate – removes toxins
• 012 346 3747
OPTION 4: Aphrodite style edible Greek romance
• As Greek as it Gets in Cullinan.
• Lovely view of the historic town.
• Garden that makes you feel like you are on a Greek island – full of oregano plants.
• Chef and his wife have passionate arguments in the restaurant – she is the most beautiful woman in Gauteng and he Chef-patron Stavros Vladislavic knows it even while he is fighting.
• Fabulous food - The Chicken Bourekia signature dish is literally finger-licking good.
• Tel 012 734 0707.
Option 5: Opting out at home – getting someone else to come to your house to cook
• Ishvara Haigin will come to your house and cook you a Moroccan amorous feast complete with rose petals, hand washing in perfumed water, mint infused apricots, saffron poached pears, pomegranates and a range of light, elegant finger food ideal for feeding to each other. R1200
• He also offers vouchers for couples cooking courses - he will come to your home and teach you about food and food culture of any region that you choose. Specialises in exotic cuisines – Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, etc
• He also conducts tantric tours of India (min 6 pax R1500 excluding air tickets). This tour takes 2 weeks and takes in the erotic temples of India. Each day you go to a different Tantric temple and then you go out to supper, browse in the food markets etc.
• www.ancientsecrets.co.za
• Tel: 084 6240000
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