Hotels:
AUSTIN HILTON, 6000 Middle Fiskville,451-9712. The Hilton has put
together a very special, all-inclusive package for you and your sweetie. The
deal includes deluxe accommodations for two on Friday or Saturday,
complimentary champagne delivered upon arrival, a red rose on your pillow, and
dinner for two at
Ma Ferguson’s (their restaurant). The dinner includes a
choice of prime rib, steak & shrimp, a Hill Country barbecue platter,
pecan-roasted chicken, and more. Everything, including tax and gratuity, is
offered at $129 per couple. Quite a deal — call now to reserve a spot.
COURTYARD MARRIOTT, 5660 N. I-35,
458-2340. You can save your money
for a wonderful dinner and night on the town because the Marriott has a great
deal on rooms — only $69 per night (single or double) on Feb 14 & 15.
Reservations necessary.
DRISKILL HOTEL, Sixth & Brazos, 474-5911, is not offering special
room packages, but they will serve a special menu at their Mystery Dinner
Theatre. Ghostly Dread at the Driskill is a murder mystery, performed by
the Capitol City Players, and audience members participate in solving whodunit.
The menu for the evening includes wild mushroom crepes, Roman Caesar salad,
petit filet of Black Angus tenderloin with shrimp scampi, three-layer white
chocolate chip cake, and more. $48 ($28 for children). Call to reserve.
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, 98 San Jacinto,
478-4500, is offering two
wonderfully decadent packages this holiday, so pocket away some cash and get
ready! The Deluxe Valentine’s Package features a deluxe lakeview guest room
with balcony, vintage French champagne and chocolate-dipped strawberries with
personalized message, a lakeview candlelight dinner for two in your room (or
enjoy a six-course dinner in their cafe), rose petals spread across your bed
with turndown service, and a full breakfast for two in your room or in the
cafe. $425 per couple includes tax and gratuity. The Ultimate Romance
Valentine’s package (only two are available!) includes the above amenities and
meal, in a luxury lakeview suite (the Congressional or Governor’s Suite), plus
personalized Four Seasons terry robes to take home; Frette linen sheets with
rose petals spread across your bed; and a bubblebath drawn by your personal
butler. $1,000 includes tax and gratuity. Wow! The six-course meal — Lobster
Bisque, Two Melon & Berry Soup, Saut�ed Beef Medallion and Fresh
Maine Lobster, Pan-Blackened Redfish with Lump Crabmeat, Chargrilled Vegetables
and Portobello Mushrooms, a specialty chocolate and strawberry dessert, and
much more — is also available for $110 per couple/$55 per person, if you don’t
want a room. Make your reservations now.
HABITAT SUITES, 500 Highland Mall Blvd., 467-6000, will feature a
sweetheart package that includes a suite with king-size bed and wood-burning
fireplace (let’s hope it gets cold!), free wine and roses in your suite, free
hot breakfast buffet, and free beer and wine from 5-7pm. $130 per couple, and
you can add an extra night for only $59. Reservations necessary.
HOLIDAY INN NORTHWEST, 8901 Business Park, 343-0888. Romantic package
includes a deluxe king room, a prime rib dinner, complimentary champagne with
keepsake glasses, breakfast on Saturday morning, and more. The inn also
features a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool with Jacuzzi, a dry sauna, and
more. $139 per couple includes tax and gratuities. For those who don’t want to
spend the night, there’s a special dinner at $44.95 per couple (includes wine).
Call for reservations.
HOLIDAY INN SOUTH, 3401 S. I-35. 448-2444. The Valentine’s Day Special
includes a deluxe poolside suite and a wonderful dinner for two. The courses
feature filet mignon, lobster tail, Caesar salad, a baked potato, broccoli with
hollandaise sauce, chocolate mousse, chocolate fondue-dipped strawberries, and
champagne. $149.95 per couple. Call for your reservation.
OMNI SOUTHPARK, 4140 Governor’s Row, 448-2222. Special Valentine’s
package includes a special room rate for Friday (or the entire weekend!),
twice-daily maid service, late check-out, turndown amenity, a welcome memory
gift, plus a romantic Onion Creek Grille four-course dinner and complimentary
bottle of champagne. Dinner is $49.95 per couple; call for the best deal on a
room. Reserve a spot now.
RED LION HOTEL, 6121 N. I-35, 323-5466, ext. 4302. Special Valentine’s
Day Package includes a deluxe guest room for two, complimentary bottle of
champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, a long-stem wrapped rose, breakfast
buffet in their garden terrace restaurant, and a late check-out time on Feb 15
(1:30pm). $99 — a great deal. Make reservations now.
Restaurants:
THE BELGIAN RESTAURANT, 3520 Bee Caves, 328-0580. The restaurant willfeature a special Valentine’s Day four-course prix fixe menu for $39.50
per person. Delectable selections include: Estro salad, Ceasar salad, Maine
lobster bisque, escargot bouch�e, shellfish medley, scallop-stuffed
black drum, Ostrich medallions, beef tenderloin, lamb loin, and a wonderful
selection of desserts. Call for reservations.
CAFE ARMAGEDDON, 2015 Manor, 478-4857. A special Valentine Dinner will
be offered at the cafe, featuring a special rose for every couple. The
four-course menu features a salad with raspberry vinaigrette, sorbet, and your
choice of pork tenderloin with sundried cherry sauce, whitefish salmon cordon
bleu, chicken breast stuffed with jalape�o cream cheese with sherry
sauce, and a variety of desserts. Brazilian guitarist Bruno Andrade will
entertain guests while they dine. Seatings at 6:30 & 8:30pm. Call for
reservations.
CASTLE HILL CAFE, 1101 W. Fifth, 476-7218. Jump for joy, people —
Castle Hill is taking reservations, but only for Valentine’s Day. A
prix fixe menu will be offered at $35 per person (that doesn’t include
alcohol, tax, or gratuity). Charge it now on your credit card, and they’ll mail
you a gift certificate that will cover each dinner purchased. I’ve heard that
this menu will be extra special and is not to be missed!
FONDA SAN MIGUEL, 2330 W. North Loop, 459-4121. I have it on good
authority that Fonda’s new chef is planning an extra-special dinner. Hopefully
we’ll have the details soon, but if not, I’m sure it will be a most delectable
surprise! You may call the number above to make your reservations now.
JEAN-LUC’S, 705 Colorado, 494-0033. Jean-Luc’s is preparing an exciting
menu at an even more exciting price. For only $26 per person, the French bistro
offers these choices: asparagus with sauce mousseline, lobster bisque, duck
confit salade gourmande, seasonal vegetables and potato gnocchi in saffron
broth, lamb noisettes with gratin dauphinois, scallops and crayfish
vol au vent, chocolate truffles, and more. Call for reservations.
THAI PASSION, 620 Congress, #105, 472-1244. The new restaurant will
offer a four-course, prix fixe dinner menu of classic Thai dishes, as
well as a few innovations of their own. You and your mate can also enjoy the
jazz impressions of the Carl Settles Trio while you dine. Reservations are
strongly recommended.
TOP OF THE MARC, 618 W. Sixth, 472-2037. Treat your loved one to a
wonderful meal, and support tomorrow’s women in science to boot! The restaurant
is sponsoring a Valentine’s Dinner that will benefit Tomorrow’s Women in
Science & Technology (TWIST), a non-profit organization that presents
seminars for young women in grades 6-8 with an interest in math and science in
hopes that they will pursue careers in these fields. The dinner will feature a
scrumptious dinner and dessert, a jazz concert with Nora York, and participants
may register to win a weekend of travel and romance in New York. Black-tie
optional. $75 per person (tax-deductible). Call for reservations.
Events:
PRACTICE UP FOR VALENTINE’S DAY the weekend before! La Follia, an AustinBaroque ensemble, will present a “Baroque Valentine,” performed by violinist
Mimi Mitchell, soprano Patti Spain, and harpsichordist Richard Egarr. The
“valentine” will feature romantic songs and instrumental music from the 17th
century, including works by Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Rossi, and more. The
performance will be held at the First English Lutheran Church, 30th &
Whitis. Tickets are $10 per person; call AusTix at 454-TIXS. Sat, Feb 8,
8pm. 892-1326.
LA PE�A’S TOMA MI CORAZ�N V will also be held the weekend before
Valentine’s Day, so you can pick out a special heart for your loved one(s)
early. This is La Pe�a’s Fifth Annual Feast of Heart Art, a special
exhibition and sale of “heart art” created by local artists and celebrities
(musicians, writers, filmmakers, and more!). Invited artists were given a
plain, 8″ wooden heart to use as a palate to create their own unique
Valentine’s Day heart. Special celebrity artists include Nanci Griffith, Tish
Hinojosa, Ann Richards, and many more. Hearts will be auctioned off at a silent
auction, with proceeds directly benefiting La Pe�a’s community arts
programming. The auction (and preview party) will be held at Miguel’s La
Bodega, 415 Colorado St. The auction is free, but preview party tickets are
$10. Sat, Feb 8, 4-6pm (preview party) and 6-8:30pm (auction).
477-6007.
THE 1997 SWEETHEART CABARET will be presented by the Capital City Men’s Chorus,
and features an evening of romance with performances by the members of CCMC, a
food buffet, door prizes, valet parking, complimentary champagne, festive
dessert, and more! The cabaret will be held at Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Bergman (at
Chicon). $35 per couple, $20 single. Fri, Feb 14, 7:30-10pm. 477-SING for
reservations.
THE 5TH ANNUAL RED, BLACK & WHITE BALL will be held at DanceClub
183, located at 9029 Research Blvd., #100. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be
served. Tickets are $15 per couple, or $10 per person. Make reservations.
Fri, Feb 14, 9pm. 339-9391.
RUSSIAN PIANIST DMITRI RATSER will be in Austin for a special
performance with the Austin Symphony, to be held at the Bass Concert Hall on
the UT campus. Ratser has received numerous accolades and awards, including
first prize in the Liszt International Jubilee and the All-Union Rachmaninoff
Competitions. The program will include works by Saint-Sa�ns, Copland, and
Beethoven. Tickets range from $11-25 and are available at the Symphony Box
Office, 11th & Red River. Fri, Feb 14, 8pm. 476-6064 or
888/4-MAESTRO.
CULTIVATE SEXUAL ENERGY is a lecture and workshop that teaches participants
powerful techniques from ancient China that “transmute the powerful energies of
our sexuality into healing life-force energy.” Dr. J. Mackenzie Stewart, senior
student of Taoist Master Mantak Chia, will lead the series. A free lecture will
be held at Book People; the workshop will be held at the Park Place Holistic
Center. Fri, Feb 14, 7:30pm; the workshop will be held Sat & Sun,
Feb 15 & 16. 474-4372.
BAILE DE AMOR 1997, ALLGO’S annual Valentine’s dance, will be held at
the elegant Hyatt Regency Hotel, 208 Barton Springs Rd. Baile de Amor, the
largest fundraising event for the Austin Latino/a Lesbian & Gay
Organization, has traditionally drawn attendance from not only Austin, but from
around the state. The dance provides a safe atmosphere for same-sex couples to
dress up, dance, and celebrate. Tickets are $12/person and $20/couple when
purchased in advance; $15/person and $25/couple at the door. Sat, Feb 15,
9pm-1am. 472-2001.
Sweet Stuff/Shops:
AMY’S ICE CREAMS, Texas Union, 35th & Guadalupe, and Westbank Market;458-6895 for details, will offer strawberries hand-dipped in Callebaut
Belgian chocolate. Order now, for pick-up on Feb 13 or 14. Cost is $10 a dozen,
or $6 for half a dozen. Call the number above to reserve sweets for your
sweet!
BREED & CO., 718 W. 29th, 474-6679; 3663 Bee Caves Rd., 328-3960. This is my favorite “hardware” store (for the mind and body, that is!). The
shop offers Godiva chocolates & bon-bons, plants, candles, special gifts
for the bath and garden, and much more for your favorite loved ones. And if a
hammer and nails turn him on, you can get that there as well!
CHERRIE’S, 2439 W. Anderso., 459-CAKE, offers personalized heart cakes
and cookies for your loved one. Order now.
THE CADEAU, 2316 Guadalupe, 477-7276, features hearts-a-plenty this
season, including Baccarat hearts, conversation hearts, David and Venus hearts,
and Buckwheat heart pillows, as well as romantic magnetic poetry and more.
DOCTOR CHOCOLATE/THE THREE CHOCOLATIERS, 4001 N. Lamar (in Central Market),
454-0555; 701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., N-850, 347-1995. If you want
chocolate, this is hands-down the place to get it. Specialty items for
Valentine’s Day include: The ever-popular chocolate-dipped strawberries;
assorted chocolates in designer heart tins; chocolate roses (wow!); and
boxed 5 oz. chocolate bars inscribed with words of love. The shop always
carries a wonderful variety of chocolate treats, including their award-winning
chocolate ice cream, chocolate truffles, sugar-free chocolates, and much, much
more (chocolate, of course!).
FORBIDDEN FRUIT, 107 E. North Loop, 453-8090; 512 Neches, 478-8378; 513 E.
Sixth, 476-4596. Every day is Valentine’s Day at Forbidden Fruit, which
offers a variety of romantic (and kinky) gifts for all occasions. There’s some
lacy stuff, sure — but if you like spiked heels and leather boots, scented
massage oils, and edible panties, this is definitely the place to go!
LAMMES CANDIES, 10 locations, 835-6791 (for the location nearest you). Lammes will be dipping their strawberries once again, but they’ll only be
available from Feb 6-8. They are sold by the pound at $9.95 per pound, or you
may buy them in singles. No special orders, first come/first served. If you
miss out on the strawberries, Lammes will offer plenty of other Valentine’s
specials, including heart-shaped boxes of truffles, cherry cordials, chocolate
creams, nuts and caramels, and even sugar-free delights. Prices vary from $3.75
to $147.55.
MASSAGE-O-GRAMS are a great way to get your love “in the mood.” (No, they won’t
seduce your babe — they’ll just relieve their stress before you see ’em later
on!) Performed by a professional massage therapist, “Massage-O-Grams” give your
mate a 15 or 30-minute, on-site chair massage at their home or office. As well,
a special greeting card with your personal message will be delivered with the
massage. (Flower delivery can also be arranged at an additional fee.) Call for
details. 327-2284.
OAK HILL STUDIO, 6432 Hwy 290 W,
892-0915. Get a fantastic
photo of yourself for a favorite valentine. The studio offers affordable
portraits in vivid reality or beautiful fantasy. Call for rates and
reservations.
PENNY’S PASTRIES, 5501 N. Lamar, #A135, 320-3663. Sweets chef
extraordinaire, Penny McConnell, is back on the scene with her new shop, which
makes its debut on Valentine’s Day. The store will offer a wide variety of
cookies, brownies, and shortbread, including a special Valentine Cookie
Collection. Call to reserve a batch for your sweetheart.
TABU LINGERIE, 9070 Research, 452-8228; 4006 S. Lamar, 443-7779, is an
excellent connection for romantic gifts, including all kinds of lingerie,
games, and toys (and I don’t mean the kind of toys you’d give yer kids!).
TERRA TOYS, 1708 S. Congress, 445-4489. A week before Valentine’s Day,
Terra will offer a “Make Your Own Valentine” workshop. Bring the whole family
and create original masterpieces for everyone on your list! If you miss the
workshop, the store always has plenty of rubber stamps, paper, paint, and more
to create your own special gift for young and old alike. Sat,
Feb 8,
noon-2pm.
YOUR VALENTINE + AN ENDANGERED MANATEE = TRUE LOVE. At least that’s what
the Save the Manatee Club (SMC) thinks. For 20 bucks, SMC will send an adoption
certificate, underwater photo, and biography of an adopted manatee to your
favorite valentine, along with a 28-page membership handbook. A special gift
card with your personal message will also be included. What a beautiful (and
PC) way to say “I love you.” Write to: Save the Manatee Club, 500 N. Maitland
Ave., Maitland, FL 32751. 800/432-JOIN. You can visit their website at
http://www.objectlinks.com/manatee.
This article appears in February 7 • 1997 and February 7 • 1997 (Cover).