Many Durangoans will join the millions of Americans shelling out billions of dollars to fete their sweethearts for Valentine’s Day.
And, local establishments are ready to accommodate. Most eateries offer specials to lure in diners on this day of wine and roses, starting with breakfast and lasting through late night drinks. Here’s a rundown on a few standouts in the city.
With its reopening on Jan. 19, El Moro Tavern, at 945 Main Ave., is back in the restaurant mix after it was derailed by a fire in October last year. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, general manager Dave Woodruff said the tavern will feature a tasting menu including a three course meal.
“Starting with small plates to share, we offer two cocktails off of our cocktail menu or a bottle of wine or two beers, and two large plates off of our menu for each person and a dessert to share,” he said.
“Since we just unveiled our new menu after reopening the restaurant, we want to give people the opportunity to try something new,” Woodruff said. “It gives us the opportunity to showcase our excellent culinary team and also our creative bar team.”
Features to look for include Green Chile Bacon Fritters, Korean Fried Cauliflower, Coconut Green Curry Mussels, as well as large plate items Korean Wagyu Skirt Steak, Winter Root Vegetable Quinoa and Pastramied Skuna Bay Salmon, said Woodruff. Desserts include a Cherry & Hazelnut Brownie and Old Fashioned Swedish Cream. Pricing for the tasting menu will be $85 per couple not including tax and tip.
The mixologists at El Moro Tavern will offer cocktails such as Burn Down the Island, featuring Five Island Rum, Venezuelan Rum, Peruvian Pisco, Brown Sugar and other ingredients; and A Love Supreme, with bourbon, apple brandy, green chartreuse and mint chocolate.
On the same block of Main Avenue, at 919 Main Ave., Eolus touts a three or five course prix fixe menu, at $60 and $75 respectively, with additional wine pairings available, said manager and owner James Allred. Lovers will have a choice of starter, entrée and dessert, with options including Lobster Corn Dogs and a Spicy Salmon Roll as starter and a Surf and Turf or Grilled Porter House Pork Chop for entrées. The highlight of the dessert options is probably the Chocolate Heart for Two featuring dark chocolate honey mousse and chocolate dipped raspberries or the Passion Fruit Meringue Tart. Allred recommends making reservations to dine at Eolus in advance.
Another favorite for special occasions, Cyprus Cafe, 725 East Second Ave., will offer a four course “aphrodisiac dinner” in addition to its everyday menu, says owner/proprietor Alison Dance.
“For lovers young and old, this meal will excite the senses and stimulate the taste buds,” she said.
“Foods and scents are aphrodisiacs that stimulate sensual desire,” she said. “Many foods long considered aphrodisiacs are low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals, a diet heavy in these foods yields a body healthy with the energy, blood flow and nutrients needed for a peak experience.”
Dance highly recommends making reservations.
Cyprus Café’s sister bar/café Eno will following suit with special aphrodisiac treats, as well as two-for-one Bubbles all night long, cheese and chocolate fondue, and live music.
The Palace, 505 Main Ave., has a couple of entrée specials to entice diners as well.
“Our highlights will be a decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese featuring Maine lobster and Dubliner Sharp Cheddar, and Filet Oscar which is a 7 oz filet mignon, topped with lobster claw meat and béarnaise sauce and asparagus,” said marketing director Carolyn Lamb. “Our featured Valentine’s cocktail is the First Kiss, which is a fun concoction of citron vodka, Chambord, fresh lemon juice and Prosecco.”
Not to be outdone by the other fine dining establishments in town, and for lovers who want to start the day out with a special occasion, Carver Brewing manager Mike Hurst and “Chef Dave” Cuntz have created a Valentine’s Day breakfast. Starting with heart-shaped raspberry rolls and chocolate sauce, or heart-shaped French toast stuffed with Nutella cream cheese, strawberries and Chantilly cream. For those wanting something more savory than sweet, there’s the Prosciutto e Uova Verdi (green eggs and ham), or a prosciutto di parma bacon, basil pesto, spinach, tomato, scrambled eggs and parmesan toast. You can stuff yourself early, and then hit the Nature Trail up the street for a calorie-burning hike with your love.
The restaurant, at 1022 Main Ave., will also put a special twist on lunch and dinner for Valentine’s Day, with warm brie salad, a beef short rib and red velvet raviolis with chocolate sauce as options.
Not to discount the fact that Carver’s is a brewery, Hurst adds, “We are preparing a special batch of our Carthasis Double Black IPA with chocolatey cocoa nibs and orange zest.”
For the resident wine-lovers, Hurst assures there will be options. “We also are partnering with Sutcliffe Vineyards wines to offer special pricing on two delightful, local varietals Rose and Cinsaut.”
Reach Pamela B. Stewart at pstewart@durangoherald.com.
