6 Romantic Feasts for at Home

6 Romantic Feasts for at Home Why go out to dine when you can assemble a fancy feast at home to share with your loved one? By Jennifer Hamilton February 03, 2015 Stay home on Valentine’s Day and nibble away at a selection of fine cheeses and Champagne. Valentine’s Day…

6 Romantic Feasts for at Home

Why go out to dine when you can assemble a fancy feast at home to share with your loved one?

Stay home on Valentine’s Day and nibble away at a selection of fine cheeses and Champagne.

Valentine’s Day can be stressful, what with all the comparing of who got what flowers or jewellery or chocolates. You can minimize the stress somewhat by staying home to dine instead of opting for a tasting menu in a fancy restaurant. Of course, giving the holiday its romantic due, you can still make your at-home feast fancy. Here are some ideas for a sexy, stay-home soiree to share with the people you love the most.

Janice Beaton Fine Cheese

Nothing says, “I love you,” like cheese. The knowledgeable folks at Janice Beaton will assemble a perfect platter with artisan cheese, crackers, nuts and dried fruit, all of which go perfectly with champagne (order 24 hours in advance). Or opt for Janice’s fondue mix and simply add wine and cornstarch to the cheese blend and voila! The shop sells fondue pots and fuel if this is your first foray into fondue.

1017 16 Ave. S.W., 403-229-0900, jbfinecheese.com

L’Epicerie

The French know a thing or two about romance. They also know a thing or two about food. So why not pop into L’Epicerie and fill your basket with lovely French food from this deli on Macleod Trail? Think lobster bisque, assorted pts, foie gras and duck confit … the list goes on and on. Then pop next door to Manuel Latruwe for some delicate macarons or exquisite pastries – Latruwe is Belgian but we’re pretty sure he knows plenty about romance too.

1325 1 St. S.E., 403-514-0555, lepicerieca.com

Lina’s Italian Market

Recreate that scene from Lady and the Tramp with a takeout dinner of spaghetti and from Lina’s – because romance doesn’t have to be fussy. Pair it with a great bottle of Brunello di Montalcino, put some Dean Martin on the stereo and plan a trip to Tuscany. Now that’s amore!

2202 Centre St. N.E., 403-277-9166, linasmarket.com

Meez Cuisine & Catering

Chef Judy Wood is still putting the finishing touches on this year’s Valentine’s Day dinner menu … think beef short ribs with mushroom port sauce or chicken supreme with Boursin sauce as a main. And how about baby greens with frizzy artichokes and citrus vinaigrette or green beans with slow-roasted grape tomatoes and thyme for the salad course? Finish it off with flourless chocolate cake with toffee sauce or butterscotch pot de crme. And while you’re getting something special for you and your spouse, pick up something for the kids from the very family-friendly menu of takeout options so you can feed them early and then focus on you. Meez has lots of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

10816 Macleod Tr. S., 403-264-6336, meezcuisine.com

Pascal’s Patisserie

Maybe you don’t want to make a big deal about dinner, and that’s ok too. So then why not do a brunch? Pascal’s take-and-bake French pastries are easy to prepare, make the house smell wonderful, and are every bit as good as what you’d get at a bakery in Paris (for real!). The croissants are a classic, and served with good preserves, are a very classy way to start the day.

Available at many fine markets, pascals.ca

Sunterra Market

Enjoy a four-course gourmet meal while hardly lifting a finger. Sunterra’s special Valentine’s Day meals feature roasted red pepper soup with crme frache, green chickpea hummus with vegetable crudites and olives, your choice of beef tenderloin or chicken breast with blueberry Burgundy jus, scalloped potatoes, carrots and broccolini, and chocolate cake with raspberries and pistachios to top it all off. Click here to order.

Multiple locations, sunterramarket.com

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