The Food Column: A not-so-modest proposal
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The Fairmont Pittsburgh's Louis Anthony Engaging Martini: a "heartstopping" combination of Finlandia Vodka, a dash of dry Vermouth and an unusual garnish -- a Louis Anthony Jewelers diamond engagement ring.
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Looking to pop the question on V-Day?
Well, men, you'd better be part of the One Percent if you want to do this particular deal.
The Fairmont Pittsburgh, Downtown, offers the Louis Anthony Engaging Martini Package.
Escort your sweetie on your elbow into Andys bar inside the hotel and order a martini. If you prearrange this, they'll serve it "on the rock" -- the rock being a Louis Anthony Jewelers diamond engagement ring.
The package comes with a one-night bedroom suite reservation, Champagne, chocolates, flowers and dinner for two at the hotel's restaurant, Habitat. The $15,900 price tag includes a $15,000 credit so you can pre-select the ring at Louis Anthony Jewelers.
On the special Valentine menu at Habitat that night: strawberry and spinach salad or warm beet soup; shrimp terrine, oysters or foie gras; mushroom ravioli or ricotta gnocchi; lamb chop, beef tenderloin or vegetarian entree; and strawberry gateau or chocolates and cherries.
This is the first year the Fairmont has offered the martini package. Julie Abramovic, public relations manager, said the package is styled after a similar one that has been successful in past years at Boston's Fairmont.
The Fairmont Pittsburgh hadn't yet had any takers at press time, but if you hurry, you can make your reservation at 412-773-8911.
Meanwhile, here are a couple Valentine events you might find a tad more affordable:
Three Pittsburgh businesses have teamed up to offer the "Valentine's Day in a Box" package. For $289, you get a night at the Renaissance Hotel, Downtown, dinner for two at Braddock's American Brasserie, and a treat from Betsy Ann Chocolates. The four-course Valentine's Day menu at American Brasserie includes seared rabbit with fruit compote on herb crostini, fried oysters over truffled papardelle, beef tenderloin and braised veal cheek over Peruvian potato cake, dark and milk chocolate fondue with dippers, Champagne and more. The package is available tomorrow through Tuesday. Call Braddock's at 412-992-2005 to book the dinner reservation; call the Renaissance at 412-562-1200 for a room reservation and mention offer code VADE (for online booking, enter offer code LUV).
Tuesday: Nontraditional Valentine's Day Wine Dinner, 7 p.m. at Schmutz Lodge, Garfield. For singles, couples and groups of friends; includes dinner, wine, an artist talk and an art project. $50; register at grapethoughts.com .
Feb. 17-19: Wine & Chocolate Weekend, noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 17 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 18 and 19 at 23 participating wineries in Lake Erie wine country. Each winery offers paired samples of wine and food; $35 per person ($20 for non-drinkers) also includes souvenir wine glass, recipe booklet, box of chocolate and $5 voucher for wine purchase. For tickets: lakeeriewinecountry.org .
Saturday: TV chef Aaron McCargo Jr., noon at Giant Eagle Market District, Pine. Free, but register ahead: marketdistrict.com.
Also Saturday: Valentine's kids' class, 10 a.m. at The Pie Place, Bethel Park. Children will decorate a heart cake to take home. $35; preregister at 412-835-4410.
Sunday: Food for Kids, 1 p.m. at Pittsburgh Public Market, Strip District. Healthy recipes for kids to make. Free.
Feb. 18: Chinese New Year Celebration, 5:30 p.m. at Butler Country Club. Dining, dancing, entertainment, Chinese auction baskets. $125 benefits Maridon Museum. 724-282-0123 or maridon.org .
Feb. 18: Turkish Food Night, 5:30 p.m. at Turkish Cultural Center, now in Green Tree. Traditional foods from the region of Antep, Turkey, including kebabs, baklava, Turkish tea and coffee and more. For information or to register, e-mail activities@tccpittsburgh.org .
Feb. 21: Six in the City Dinner Series, 7:30 p.m. at Penn Avenue Fish Co., 308 Forbes Ave., Downtown. Five-course dinner with wine or spirits and chef remarks. $110. cratecook.com (click "special events").
Feb. 17: History Uncorked: A Red, White and Blue Affair, 7 to 10 p.m. at Heinz History Center, Strip District. $50 includes three drink tickets, appetizers, desserts and access to History Center and Sports Museum exhibits; $100 for VIP tickets. heinzhistorycenter.org .
Feb. 18: Fourth Annual Celebration of Family, 6 p.m. to midnight at Best Western Parkway Center Inn, Green Tree. Children's program, buffet dinner and dancing. $40 for adults; $17 for children ages 12 and up and full-time college students; $8 for children ages 11 and under. Benefits the Ukrainian Community of Western Pennsylvania. Register by Sunday at ucowpa.org .
The Farm to Table 2012 conference March 23 and 24 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown, will bring together farmers, consumers, food businesses, wellness programs and health-care professionals for cooking demos, gardening tips, nutrition and health information and more. For information on being a vendor or exhibitor, see farmtotablepa.com/exhibitors .
• Richard Rosendale, executive chef of The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., won the prestigious Bocuse d'Or USA competition late last month.
He will represent the United States next year at the international competition in Lyons, France. No American chef has yet won the international competition, in which chefs representing 24 countries create elaborate platter presentations featuring seafood and meat as a raucous, flag-waving audience watches.
• Wolfgang Puck will be awarded the James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award on May 7 in New York City. He now owns 20 restaurants across the United States, has written several cookbooks and occasionally turns up on TV.
Win a girls' getaway weekend: Before March 31, go to JoanofArcBrie.com to enter.
Kids' contest: Before Feb. 26, cook a rice-based dish with your child, send Uncle Ben's a video and you could win $20,000, an appearance on Rachael Ray's TV show and a cafeteria makeover for your child's school. unclebens.com .
First Published February 9, 2012 12:00 am
