Love is all you need, Love is all you need, according to the Beatles but with February 14th fast approaching, I think it’s time to start making those dinner reservations (or planning that special meal) before it’s too late . With that in mind, I decided to see which restaurants here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore are offering something special and romantic for Valentine’s Day 2011. After some calling around, here are several of my top picks:
In the town of Cape Charles:
- Aqua’s – Situated right on the Chesapeake Bay overlooking the Bay Creek Marina, Aqua’s is offering from Friday thru Monday a fantastic Valentine’s Special. For $50.00 per couple you’ll receive: a shared appetizer, a soup or salad for each person, an entree for each person and a shared dessert to be selected from their special Valentine’s menu. For reservations, call 757-331-8660
- Kelly’s Gingernut Pub- Located at 133 Mason Avenue in the heart of the Cape Charles Historic District, Kelly’s offers great food in a casual, fun atmosphere. For Valentine’s, Kelly’s is planning Saturday through Monday, a special Valentine’s Menu which includes a Deconstructed Caesar Salad, Mini Crab Cakes with Corn Relish, Surf & Turf (6oz. Filet with your choice of Shrimp or Scallops), Tasmin King Salmon or Blackened Chicken over Penne Pasta tossed with Alfredo sauce. For dessert, Fried Cheesecake and Fresh Strawberries with Fudge Dip, totally yummy. For the full Valentine’s menu and to make reservations, please call Kelly’s Gingernut Pub @ 757-331-3222.
In Eastville– The Eastville Inn– Historic and very elegant, the Eastville Inn, circa 1780, is located at 16422 Courthouse Road and chef Charles Thain is planning a wonderful Valentine’s feast. The Valentine’s special for the Eastville Inn is: your choice of soup or salad, your entree or chef’s special and for dessert, crepes with chocolate mousse and fresh berries, all for $30.00 per person. Call 757-678-5745 for full menu details and reservations.
In the town of Onancock:
- Bizzotto’s Gallery-Caffe – Located at 41 Market Street, Bizzotto’s offers fine dining in a unique atmosphere. For reservations call 757-787- 3103 .
- Charlotte Hotel– Located at 7 North Street in Onanacock, the Charlotte Hotel is a delightful boutique hotel which also serves wonderful food. A little Flirtation, a helping of Passion and a touch of Afterglow….. these are just some of the special items you’ll find on the Valentine’s menu at the Charlotte Hotel this year ! For reservations, call 757-787-7400 or check out the full Valentine’s Menu at www.thecharlottehotel.com/restaurant/menu.pdf
Planning to stay home and prepare dinner yourself but still haven’t decided on a menu ? A food show I am particularly fond of is The Splendid Table on National Public Radio which can be heard here on Sundays from 12-1 pm. Splendid Table bills itself as the NPR show for people who love to eat . What can I say, I love to eat and I love the show….. At any rate, I looked up their Valentine recipes to see what looked good and up came a menu that sounded delicious, with an entree that doesn’t seem overly fussy to prepare. “Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Black Olives and Orange- A Feast for Lovers” . Sounds quite good, actually. And if you need any help with baking, the Yellow Duck Bakery on Main Street in Exmore, 757-442- 5909 has several yummy Valentine dessert items you can special order including a heart shaped eclair for 2, filled with their superlative pastry cream and frosted with chocolate ganache. So, lots and lots of luscious opportunites for a delightful Valentine’s meal here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. As the Beatles said, All you need is love, love, love……