The Rake Magazine

Tag: Valentine’s Day

  • Happy Valentine's Day — not just today, but every day!

    I for one think that to have one day to tell the people you care about how much you love them is nothing more than an opportunity for stores to raise the price of flowers and chocolates to make up for the 364 other days when we don’t give our loved ones a special something to brighten up their day.

    Don’t get me wrong; I think having a day dedicated to Love is a great idea, but I believe that telling the people in your life how much you care about them should not just fall on Valentine’s Day.

    So to those of you who felt the pressure to go out and pay more for flowers and chocolates to bestow on your loved ones… I have an idea for you.

    Save some money and wait for all of the Valentine’s Day Hype to wear off. Then give the people in your life a box of divine chocolates or a beautiful floral arrangement when they least expect it.

    I could be wrong on this, but chocolate tastes wonderful and melts in your mouth any day of the year, and flowers are always appreciated, especially on a day when you least expect it.

    Much love to my husband, kids, and Louie (the family dog) — all of whom make every day Valentine’s Day!

     

     

  • V-Day Food Flix

    Being married to the restaurant industry means that, for me, today is not that special. My entire adult life I’ve either worked the night or sat home while my sig other does.

    My own special tradition includes take-out and a food movie. I’m so very happy to squish into the couch with a bucket of chicken fried rice from Kindoh, a giant pork sandwich from Scotty’s or the Toto (extra goat cheese) from Punch. No, I don’t want to try new foods tonight, bring home something cutting edge from some fancy pants new chef. I’m not up for lust, I want good old reliable and satisfying loooooove.

    Top Food Flicks

    Big Night … can’t get enough of this brilliant movie. I think every dinner party I throw lives in the shadow of their Louis Prima fete.

    Eat Drink Man Woman … I’m utterly jealous of the food that is wrought by such humble tools.

    Tortilla Soup … a Latino version of Eat Drink Man Woman. Not bad.

    Chocolat … Depp, duh.

    Like Water for Chocolate … the book is better, but the magic is still there.

    Tampopo … Japanese film in the Seven Samurai tradition, except with a ramen shop.

    Soylent Green … it’s made of people!

    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (new) … ALL HAIL TIM BURTON!

    Dinner Rush … even pasta can be deadly!

    Soul Food … truth will out at Sunday dinner.

    Moonstruck … I like this movies because it seems like they are always eating or drinking. I crave the egg in the toast hole.

  • Dinner and a Show? – Valentines Dining

    Do you have any favorites places that offer live
    entertainment — preferably cheap or free — along with food? I am starting to compile a list, and so far I have:

    Bluegrass and old-time music at Dulono’s Pizza
    Occasional concerts at Kramarczuk’s (like the Tamburitze
    Orchestra)

    Karaoke at Pancho Villa

    Jazz and more, weekends at Café Maude

    Rhonda Laurie and her trio, Wednesdays at Cave Vin

    Friday night jazz at Crave in Edina

    Speaking of cheap dates, the Valentine’s Day, here are a
    couple of options that won’t break the bank:

    From Valentine’s Day through Sunday, February 17, Joe’s Garage is offering "Valentine for the common
    man (and woman)" : platters for two that range from wild rice meatloaf or
    buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy (both $20) to walleye
    or barbecued ribs for $25, or a grilled beef sirloin with sundried tomato
    butter, sauteed mushrooms and fries for $30. And you can add a bottle of Red
    Truck Red or White Truck White for $15.

    Bryant Lake Bowl, famous for its
    Monday night Cheap Date Night dinners for two that includes two entrees, a bottle of wine or
    a couple of beers, and a game of bowling for $28, is going (slightly) upscale for
    Valentines Day with a Not so Cheap Date Night: they are adding soup or salad, and raising the price to $38. And if you want to make it a really memorable evening, you can enjoy your dinner in the adjacent BLB theater, where Joseph Scrimshaw will be performing an all-new version of his interactive romantic comedy, Adventures in Mating. Shows are at 7 and 10 p.m., and the doors open an hour earlier – tickets are $12, or $10 with a Fringe Festival button.