Exotic Flowers in Boston

If you’re planning on celebrating with a special someone this February 14th, you’re going to have to do a little planning to make sure you have the essentials.  No matter what she says, she’ll be expecting something, some sort of hint that reveals how much you care so don’t blow it!  There’s no need to spend the entire contents of your wallet or try to pull a rabbit out of your hat to impress her if you strategize beforehand keeping in mind thoughtfulness and romance.  Focus on her individual qualities, likes/dislikes and personality and you should have a good feel of what your holiday gifting should be.  If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at this checklist to keep you on track and ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

1. Plan a special evening, whether it’s at her favorite restaurant or simply dining in at home.  If you are going to head out for the night, make sure to make your reservations well in advance (at least three weeks) because bistros, cafes and fine dining locations will all be frantic since it is the busiest day of the season for them.  

Top Five Boston Restaurants for Valentine’s Day:

a.) Mooo

b.) Sophia's Grotto

c.) Menton

d.) Delfino's

e.) Ruth's Chris

     If you’re planning on staying in, be sure to buy your ingredients a couple of days in advance to avoid running out of the essentials because yes- you’ll be the one who does all of the cooking!  Pick up a bottle of wine and select a menu that you know she’ll flip over.  If you really           want to romance her, DO THE DISHES!

1. Grab a card.  It’s the easiest and least expensive way to tell her you love her.   Hallmark isn’t just a multi-billion dollar company for nothing-they know their stuff!  Browse the stationary section of a CVS and read through the options to see whether a funny or lovey-dovey card is going to fit best for your relationship.  If you really want to get creative, find an old photograph of the two of you and glue it to a piece of construction paper folding it in half.  This is a sweet gesture of how your love has grown and will most likely remain in her keepsake box for years to come.
2. Don’t be a bozo- ORDER FLOWERS!  Gift with a box of chocolates and you’ve just made her holiday!  Unsure of what variety to pick up?  Here are some options but keep in mind her favorite blooms and preference of color.  Again, don’t wait to the last minute to order a bouquet since this is like Super Bowl Sunday for Boston florists!

1. Red Roses
2. White Lilies
3. Orchids
4. Black Pearl Roses
5. Mixed Floral Bouquet.

Bostonians are already booking their romantic dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day and are wondering what are the hotspots for February 2015?  If you’ve begun the search, you already know that there are a ton of options available to you, which can be like finding a needle in a haystack.  Not to worry there’s an easy way to find your perfect dining locale by asking yourself a few questions first.   What type of ambiance do you desire?  Which variety of cuisine are you hoping to eat?  What is your meal expenditure?  Are you looking for entertainment during your date or maybe a quiet and secluded environment?  These are important issues when designing a successful Valentine’s Day experience and will provide you with the useful information needed to make the correct choices.  For me, I prefer Italian food or fish rather than steak house menus and love a candlelit room but dislike it when you can barely see the person across from you.  (Last week I actually went to a restaurant where it was so dark, I couldn’t find my way out of the bathroom.)  So it might be wise to get a good feel for your partner’s tastes before booking a table.  Check out these Bean Town eateries that have always made my Valentine’s Day list and see if they are the right fit for you and your sweetheart!

Capital Grille

250 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

(617) 928-1400

This has been one of my haunts since moving into the city and I can honestly say that you almost can’t go wrong with anything ordered off the menu.  Although yes, it’s a steakhouse, they offer a variety of other delicious dishes including plank salmon and seasonal halibut with heirloom tomatoes.  The sides are incredible as well, specifically the sautéed spinach, mashed potatoes and frites.  I also highly recommend the Caesar salad and French onion soup that are definitely the best Ive tasted anywhere in Boston.

Towne Stove and Spirits

The Shops at the Prudential Center

900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115

(617) 247-0400

This is a great place to go because its location is directly next to the Prudential Center where there is an abundance of shopping and live entertainment including jazz music, piano bars and dance clubs.  The food is pretty good too where they offer a wide variety of gourmet induced cuisine such as their lobster pizza.  The chef prepares several shellfish concoctions including shrimp and lobster but allows a healthy selection of steak, poultry and duck for you meat lovers out there.  This is the place for you if you’re an adventurer in the kitchen and it’s likely that you’ll appreciate their interesting spin on popular restaurant dishes. 

 Suzie and Rick Canale January, 2015 Chestnut Hill MA 

It’s cold outside and Bostonians are searching to find their favorite foods that will comfort them through the next few months.  January, February and March can be bitter and icy, the kind of weather where we need a little extra cushion in our stomachs to brave the season.  For some it’s a decadent dessert while others prefer an entrée of rich cuisine but whatever you favor, I think we can all agree that we need some extra meat on our bones during this time of year.   City restaurants can have just what you’re looking for or maybe you would rather opt to stay home and create your own menu?  Here’s a bit of fare facts to help you explore and enjoy some of the top comfort foods for winter 2015.

Top Comfort Foods

1. Pasta has got to be the number one “go-to” food when we need a “calorie hug” and there is an extraordinary array of options open to you.  Tortellini with sautéed spinach and cherry tomatoes is delicious and carries very little prep time.  Stuffed shells are another fabulous comfort meal because you can alter the variations of ricotta cheese and add whatever fillings you like such as mushrooms, extra tomatoes, onions and spinach.  Alfredo, chicken and broccoli is another classic that actually contains healthy vegetables and protein so it’s a little more “guilt free”.
2. Soups are number two on my list because (if prepared right) you can get your bones warmed without eating an excessive amount of fat.  Excellent varieties include creamed corn, cream of broccoli and chicken noodle soup.  Some of these are quite simple to make in a crock pot or can be interchanged with bases replacing a heavy flour roué with a blended rice, celery and onion substitution (I use this when making my cream of broccoli recipe).  Soups are also ideal because you can throw in whatever veggies you have left in your fridge to make scrumptious bowls of yummy and heart healthy soups.

Best Winter Cookbooks

There are millions of wonderful cookbooks out there and all contain some useful tricks from the trade to help you whip up five star meals.  My favorites include “How To Cook Everything”, “The Joy of Cooking”, William Sonoma food guides and “Martha’s American Food”.  Trust me on the last one and look up her recipe for macaroni and cheese.  You’ve never tasted anything like it, I assure you!

Try Em’ and Dine In Em’

If cooking is just not your thing, have no fear because Bean Town is home to some spectacular restaurants, bistros and cafes.  How about chicken potpie found at “Henrietta’s”, French onion soup from the “Capital Grill” or a burger from “Tasty Burger”?  Don’t forget we are famous for the world’s best clam chowder so treat yourself with a sampling from my favorites “Union Oyster House”, “Legal Seafoods” and “Grill 23”.

 Suzie launched her third children's book, The Candy Roses of Cape Care at the Union Oyster House in 2013.