Cookin' with Karl
Valentine’s Week
Square 22 brings a combo of excellent flavors and a wonderful dining experience to the heart of Strongsville. Photo courtesy of SQUARE 22
Today marks the official beginning of Valentine’s Week! That’s right; it’s a week now. Celebrating love is a good thing to do every day, but Valentine’s Day is traditionally the “big day” for romantic reminders. However, it is on a Tuesday this year. That is great for restaurants, as Tuesday is a day all restaurants need some love. So make your reservations now if you haven’t already.
Being on a Tuesday means many of us will book that special night out on a day that does not conflict with work and school schedules. So, consider it two weekends and five weekdays of acceptable days to celebrate Valentine’s. You can use this column as your permission slip.
Some people, like me for instance, like to cook at home, as well as dine out. It is a labor of love. If you can get the extra time on a Tuesday, and you want to perhaps grill the perfect filet (See my Feb. 6, 2016 column) and some great crème brûlée for dessert (Jan. 16 column), then have at it. You can look those up on our awesome and very useful digital app.
It starts out where you have a heart of gold, wanting to make the perfect meal. Then you realize, “Hey, this is gonna be a lot of work!” and “what if I screw up the big day?” Then, you have a change of heart. This is the time to have a heart-to-heart talk with your budget and pick the local restaurant that you have a soft spot for.
Here are some restaurants that will help you rekindle that “head over heals in love” feeling:
Ryan Marino, of Corkscrew Saloon in Medina, came up with “Valentine’s Week” a few years ago so he could offer his fixed-price five course dinner for two (only $65) for a whole week to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. It runs from Saturday, Feb. 11 through Saturday, Feb. 18. My heart skips a beat every time I eat his flat iron steak, which is part of this special.
Another week-long special can be found at Timber Lodge in Medina. They are running a feature of filet mignon and lobster tail through Feb. 14. There is a soft spot in many people’s hearts for the filet-lobster combo.
If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day the weekend after Feb. 14, make sure to include a trip to Medina’s historic Public Square for the 23rd annual Ice Festival, which is free and runs Feb. 17-20. Main Street Cafe always has the biggest and best ice carving directly out front of their restaurant. Combo that with their beautiful decor and ambiance, exceptional food, and you have a match made in heaven.
The Granite Grille at Shale Creek Golf Club (open to the public) is featuring “dinner and a show” on Saturday, Feb. 18. The show is “Magic and Mind Reading” by The Alans. The dinner is a prime rib buffet. This costs only $32.95 per person.
Medina’s Rustic Hills has a surf-and-turf for two lovebirds for $85 tonight, Feb. 11 only, with live entertainment by Akron’s John Chapman.
In Wadsworth is The Galaxy. This a great dining destination on it’s own, with fine steaks at Circle L Steakhouse and The Wine Room. They also have a special “Escape To Romance Valentine Hotel Package.”
Bianca’s Ristorante Italiano in Brunswick has “The Loving Couple Menu” and will also be featuring live entertainment on Valentine’s Day from Jerry Colosimo.
Just a little north of Bianca’s, there are some nice options in Strongsville.
Shinto Hibachi is always fabulous!
Italian Village in Strongsville has some Valentine’s Day specials. They are featuring a veal or chicken parmesan dinner for $14.95, surf and turf for $24.95 and a prime rib dinner for $19.95.
Gran Fiesta Mexican has some nice specials too: buy one entrée get the second half off on Valentine’s Day.
Finally, in Strongsville, a hip new place with a great looking interior and top chef, Square 22. Square 22 Restaurant and Bar brings a combination of excellent flavors and a wonderful dining experience to the heart of Strongsville. Stop by to taste and savor the flavor of creative American cuisine from chef Chris Bridget.
But where is the chocolate, Karl? Right! Most importantly, chocolate! Olympia Sweet Treats & Grill in Strongsville has chocolate-covered strawberries and grapes available Feb. 13-14.
Happy Valentine’s Week!
Being on a Tuesday means many of us will book that special night out on a day that does not conflict with work and school schedules. So, consider it two weekends and five weekdays of acceptable days to celebrate Valentine’s. You can use this column as your permission slip.
Some people, like me for instance, like to cook at home, as well as dine out. It is a labor of love. If you can get the extra time on a Tuesday, and you want to perhaps grill the perfect filet (See my Feb. 6, 2016 column) and some great crème brûlée for dessert (Jan. 16 column), then have at it. You can look those up on our awesome and very useful digital app.
It starts out where you have a heart of gold, wanting to make the perfect meal. Then you realize, “Hey, this is gonna be a lot of work!” and “what if I screw up the big day?” Then, you have a change of heart. This is the time to have a heart-to-heart talk with your budget and pick the local restaurant that you have a soft spot for.
Here are some restaurants that will help you rekindle that “head over heals in love” feeling:
Ryan Marino, of Corkscrew Saloon in Medina, came up with “Valentine’s Week” a few years ago so he could offer his fixed-price five course dinner for two (only $65) for a whole week to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules. It runs from Saturday, Feb. 11 through Saturday, Feb. 18. My heart skips a beat every time I eat his flat iron steak, which is part of this special.
Another week-long special can be found at Timber Lodge in Medina. They are running a feature of filet mignon and lobster tail through Feb. 14. There is a soft spot in many people’s hearts for the filet-lobster combo.
If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day the weekend after Feb. 14, make sure to include a trip to Medina’s historic Public Square for the 23rd annual Ice Festival, which is free and runs Feb. 17-20. Main Street Cafe always has the biggest and best ice carving directly out front of their restaurant. Combo that with their beautiful decor and ambiance, exceptional food, and you have a match made in heaven.
The Granite Grille at Shale Creek Golf Club (open to the public) is featuring “dinner and a show” on Saturday, Feb. 18. The show is “Magic and Mind Reading” by The Alans. The dinner is a prime rib buffet. This costs only $32.95 per person.
Medina’s Rustic Hills has a surf-and-turf for two lovebirds for $85 tonight, Feb. 11 only, with live entertainment by Akron’s John Chapman.
In Wadsworth is The Galaxy. This a great dining destination on it’s own, with fine steaks at Circle L Steakhouse and The Wine Room. They also have a special “Escape To Romance Valentine Hotel Package.”
Bianca’s Ristorante Italiano in Brunswick has “The Loving Couple Menu” and will also be featuring live entertainment on Valentine’s Day from Jerry Colosimo.
Just a little north of Bianca’s, there are some nice options in Strongsville.
Shinto Hibachi is always fabulous!
Italian Village in Strongsville has some Valentine’s Day specials. They are featuring a veal or chicken parmesan dinner for $14.95, surf and turf for $24.95 and a prime rib dinner for $19.95.
Gran Fiesta Mexican has some nice specials too: buy one entrée get the second half off on Valentine’s Day.
Finally, in Strongsville, a hip new place with a great looking interior and top chef, Square 22. Square 22 Restaurant and Bar brings a combination of excellent flavors and a wonderful dining experience to the heart of Strongsville. Stop by to taste and savor the flavor of creative American cuisine from chef Chris Bridget.
But where is the chocolate, Karl? Right! Most importantly, chocolate! Olympia Sweet Treats & Grill in Strongsville has chocolate-covered strawberries and grapes available Feb. 13-14.
Happy Valentine’s Week!