What's the perfect Valentine's date?

Here's how some local scenemakers answered that question: And some reader suggestions:

February 7, 2008 at 10:08PM

THOM PHAM

Owner of Azia and Temple

I have not had Valentine's Day off in my working life. So instead, let me tell you about my fantasy. My favorite restaurant is La Belle Vie, but for Valentine's I would want something a little moodier. No bias -- I would probably go to Temple. I would definitely drink champagne, preferably Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne. Oysters would be a must, followed by a light sushi appetizer with Horin Junmai Diaginjo sake on the side. I would order sea bass for the main course and a small truffle for dessert. You want to be light on your toes so that the evening's activities can be as sexy as possible. I would wait to give the gift and flowers until we got home so that the romance and thoughtfulness would be at their peak!


MARIA ISA

Twin Cities reggaeton queen

A smooth and calming Valentine's date would start with a shiatsu massage and facial at Uptown's spa-boutique Spot. It's a good way to relieve any stress one wouldn't want to place on the boo-boo. Continue the positive balance by grabbing appetizers and sushi at Nami. Or if you want to keep it on the private tip, pull out your preordered Netflix to pop in after you and the lovey-dovey help each other make a seafood paella dish, with a bottle of wine and flan for your sweet tooth. For the true dessert: a nice bath with oils, salts and herbs you can purchase at Present Moments. Make sure your iPod playlist includes some Al Green, Juan Luis Guerra, A Tribe Called Quest, Cultura Profetica and Billie Holiday energies. That's a date to sing "Feliz Día de San Valentín" to.

ZANNIE K.

B96 radio host and assistant program director

I'd start with a bouquet of pink roses delivered to my wife, Tonya, at work. The note reads: "Dinner at r.Normans @ 5, followed by Rock Star martinis @ Manhattans." What she doesn't know is that the limo will meet us around 9 p.m. to spirit us away to Wisconsin Dells Christmas Mountain Resort. She'll smile when she spots the Victoria's Secret bag on the bed, next to the envelope with the Macy's gift cards. And I know I'm getting showered with hugs and kisses when she sees the picnic-style table setting, complete with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. Most important, she'll have my undivided attention while she rambles on about everything from reality TV to politics to why and how our Timberwolves have bounced back to win 18 games in a row! OK, that's a stretch.

TARA YULE

Owner of Pi restaurant and bar

After running a club for a year, I have realized that one of the things I have given up to a certain extent is romance. I used to be kind of smooth. That takes time and dedication, two things now solely devoted to my job. This year I would like to take some baby steps back toward romance. First, I'd like a new suit. I would like to sit at a table for two, at my own place, with my girlfriend and enjoy, uninterrupted, our Valentine's Day menu and a bottle of wine, maybe two. There will be live jazz playing during dinner. I would like to dance in my own club. I don't get to do that very often. Then I'd like to take a cab downtown to a fancy hotel, maybe the Graves, and have a late-night cocktail at Cosmos and stay the night in a room that does not house the three dogs and two cats I normally live with.

SVEN SUNDGAARD

KARE-11 weather guy

Well, romance is hard for a scientist by nature, I think. This means it requires the simpler things, going back to basics to make it a particularly special day. Seeing as how it's winter (I think a beach in Hawaii would be optimal, but it's Minnesota in February), a walk in one of our many beautiful local parks early enough in the day where all is quiet (outside is a great way I think to eliminate distractions). Time then spent warming up and dinner at home, quiet and alone. No big fuss, but peace and relaxation. No TV, no computers, and few lights or modern amenities on at all. That would be good.

LORI BARGHINI & JULIA COBBS

Hosts of FM107's "Lori & Julia Show"

Julia: I want to be surprised, like if my husband would plan a mini day event for us. He would take care of hiring the baby sitter. The day could include skiing, a hotel and a nice dinner out. Flowers could be included, but no roses. They have to be really fun, funky flowers. I want it to be all about me that day. I will buy him a card, though. Don't get me wrong.

Lori: I think a lot of women with children feel the same way. I want to do last Valentine's Day all over again. But I don't know how he's going to arrange for John Mayer to be in town again. We got the tickets from a scalper. Then he told me to pack an overnight bag and we went to the Covington Inn, a B&B that's on a towboat at Harriet Island. It was really romantic. So now I'm wrecked forever.


GINNY CHAVEZ, SOUTH ST. PAUL

My perfect V-date would be dinner at the St. Paul Hotel Grill with a table overlooking Rice Park. I would top it off with a walk down to the Xcel and take in a Wild game, I love the Xcel, so a mixture of romance and sports is my ideal date.

KARA GRESHWALK, MINNEAPOLIS

Last year, we both left work early, got a picnic lunch of Jimmy John's and went ice skating at the Depot downtown. I think pairing something more active and fun, like ice skating or skiing, or even sledding, can be a much better way to spend quality time with the one you love in the middle of winter. You appreciate the snuggling afterward so much more.
KAREN ELLERY, MINNEAPOLIS

I enjoy the chance to do something different on St. V's day. More affordable, but problematic because they fill up so quickly, are the Three Rivers Park District events -- usually snowy, candlelit walks through various parks, coupled with some kind of appetizer/dessert consumption. My favorite so far is probably the dinner and sleigh ride.

PAT ENDERSON, ELK RIVER

Our favorite new romantic restaurant is called Crostini Grille in Monticello. The ambience is warm and romantic, and it's not built like a warehouse. I am so tired of going to "nice" restaurants and not being able to have a decent conversation.


about the writer

Tom Horgen

Assistant Managing Editor/Audience

Tom Horgen is the Assistant Managing Editor/Audience, leading the newsroom to build new, exciting ways to reach readers across all digital platforms.

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