Let’s face it ladies, some of us are perfectly comfortable being single. Many of today’s women have found independence in home, business and pleasure to be a lifestyle of choice. But even those sworn to single-dom face a challenge on the “loveliest” day of all, Valentine’s Day.
This is a day set aside to shower tokens of affection on the one you love, enjoy a nice meal, exchange a sweet card, take in a movie, buy special flowers, consume gourmet chocolates without guilt and bask in love. So what’s a single girl to do? Don’t feel like the odd man, (or woman), out, on such a special day! Bottom line, Valentine’s Day is all about being with those you love. Why not invite some of your closest gal pals, couples, or better yet, single guys over for a unique pairing of movies, music, wining and dining!
Throw a listening party and have everyone bring a favorite CD accompanied by a dish and beverage that embellishes the tone of the musical selection. Nothing like Steel Drum music on a cold February night with a side of coconut shrimp and rum punch! How about screening a favorite movie and preparing a meal around the theme of the film? Remember the scene in, “When Harry Met Sally”, where Meg Ryan has an orgasmic salad? We’ll all have what she’s having!
Like games? Take out your favorite board game and let candy hearts, chocolates, wine and flowers be the tokens or rewards. Why not purchase a gift certificate at a local day spa for a massage and have everyone pay a small entrance game fee that combined, covers the cost of the massage. She who wins at “Bingo”, monopolizes the property on Boardwalk or succeeds in the game of “Life” wins the massage.
The idea is to just make it a fun and relaxing evening. If you enjoy cooking together, check out new and exciting dishes on Internet food sites. If you’re into take-out, look to your more exotic local joints. Get creative and make up your own Valentine’s Day Spectacular. Below are some suggestions for sharing the love.
(Caution, this may become a yearly tradition!)
(Special thanks to Nancy Maniscalco at Nancy’s Wines For Food in New York City, www.nancyswines.com telephone 212-877-4040 and Gus Bellos at West Meade Wine & Liquor in Nashville, Tennessee, telephone 615-352-3001, for their imaginative drink suggestions and approximate pricing information found below)
CLASSIC ROMANCE: “I Know Where I’m Going” starring Wendy Hiller & Roger Livesey, 88 minutes, 1945
This lovely black and white film is about a young middle-class Englishwoman who is determined to obtain the finer things in life, which includes marrying the man of her dreams. Very Casablanca-ish.
Cuisine: Comfort food, short rib stew – braised short ribs with root vegetables, buttered noodles, aromatic rice or mashed potatoes on the side
Libation: Durk Champagne, ($40), Cotes du Rhone wine, ($12-25), Bollinger, Pol Roger, Gruet Brut Sparkling Wine, (all $15), or for those beer lovers among you, hearty Heineken or Samuel Adams dark beers
Dessert: English Trifle-lady fingers, raspberry sauce, fresh fruit, a sprinkling of rum and a lot of whipped cream.
FUN ROMANCE: “Grease”, starring Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta, 106 minutes, 1978
Ahh, the look and feel, fun and frolic of the Fifties. With the recent resurgence of “Grease” on Broadway and America’s unflagging love of the burger, coke and fries, why not invite Danny and Sandy over for a night of hopeless devotion? Someone in the group may be as pure as Sandy and surely there’s a wild Rizzo in the bunch! (You know who you are – we all do!) Sing along, ‘cause everybody knows the words. You can even go over the top by wearing a poodle skirt and leather and showing off your high school yearbook at the end of the flick (if you dare!). Belt out your old alma mater! “Grease” is one word - Da’voon!
Cuisine: Burgers and fries
Libation: Cherry Coke, (and for those who dare – Rum & Coke, try Captain Morgan Spiced Rum with a slice of lime), and of course, Pink Champagne for the Pink Ladies sleepover scene. Wanna kick it up a notch? In honor of Olivia Newton-John, how about a nice Australian Shiraz. Try one from Olivia’s vineyard under the Koala Blue label, ($20) Cahors or Corbieres red wine from the South of France is yummy too, ($17.99)
Dessert: Apple pie ala mode, Twinkies, milk shakes
LIGHTHEARTED SEX: “Sex and the City” DVD’s
Pick up a DVD of this television hit and be sure the attire is strictly Jimmy Choo! Check out the “Sex and the City” Trivia game on the HBO website.
Cuisine: Wait! Did they eat on this show? (OK, you can have ONE stuffed olive)
Libation: Cosmopolitans, Kamikazes and Dry Martinis
Dessert: Cosmopolitans, Kamikazes and Dry Martinis
ETHEREAL CD: An Evening of Standards, including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Billy Holiday, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald and all your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s faves
Cuisine: Caviar toasts, shrimp cocktail, brie, melon balls, salted almonds
Libation: Classic Beefeaters Martini, sweet Asti Spumante, ($14.99) or dry Korbel Brut Champaign, ($10.99)
Dessert: Bananas Foster, Baked Alaska, Cherries Jubilee. Classic elegance!
SPRING BREAK ESCAPADE: Rock on with your faves from the 60’s through today, (from Disco to Hip Hop, from Janis to Bruce to Beyonce, whatever turns you on)
Cuisine: No food! Just drink and dance! Go Crazy! (You might want to make this a pajama party, or at least, be sure and call a limo or a designated driver to carry you home!)
Libation: Mojito, Margarita, Sex on the Beach, any of your favorite shots
Dessert: Jello shooters
BOARD GAME BONANZA: Anything Trivia or Card Games
Cuisine: Finger foods, olives, hors d’oeuvres, cheese cubes, chips, sausages, crackers, popcorn
Libation: Sparkling Cava, (red wine from Spain, ($9.99), Freixenet sparkling wine, ($9.99), Rose Cavas, ($9.99) Bud Ice Light or Tequiza beer.
Dessert: Bite size cheesecakes, Oreos, licorice, caramels, assorted M&M’s and chocolate sauce for dipping all of the above
Live well. Laugh often. Love much
(I’d love to hear about your party – carolan@dishmag.com)
