Asheville –
Ideas for Valentines Day around Buncombe and Henderson County.
Finally, there is something to be happy about: Valentine’s Day. And it can be celebrated in so many ways—with a Valentine’s Day card, an e-card, flowers, chocolates, a special cookie or cake, or even taking your loved one out for dinner. February 14th is an opportunity to show appreciation to someone you love. Here are a few suggestions for the occasion.
Dine at Home
If you think you want to celebrate at home—COVID free— perhaps you can pick up the Valentine’s Day Special dinner at the New York Butcher Shoppe at 200 Julian Shoals Drive in Arden—offered from February 9th through the 14th. The New York Butcher Shoppe is offering an incredible special: (two) 7 1/2 ounce certified Angus filets, two twice-baked potatoes, one salad, and one loaf of French bread and two desserts of your choice for only $45.99. The New York Butcher Shoppe is known for its mouth-watering certified Angus beef. Store Manager Anthony suggests pairing this dinner with a bottle of EnTycement, 2016, wine, which will complement the meal perfectly for $32.99; or if you think you might want a Surf & Turf Dinner, then add a lobster tail—between $12-14.
Perhaps the Valentine’s special from Curate Restaurant at 13 Biltmore Avenue in Asheville would appeal. One certainly can have a take-out dinner, or dine at the restaurant with reservations. Cúrate is a celebration of authentic Spanish cuisine. For those who have visited Spain, the menu will bring back memories of Spain’s best jamón Ibérico, vermuterías, and lively tapas culture. As an example of the choice available: a tapas for two would include 3 Spanish cheeses with accompaniments; creamy chicken fritters; a salad of endive, orange, walnut, and blue cheese; sautéed garlic shrimp; piquillo peppers with goat cheese; roasted Brussels sprouts; choice of lamb or charcoal-grilled trout; and burnt basque cheesecake. If this includes the lamb that would be $92, or if the trout $108. Call +1 828-239-2946. or go to https://curatetapasbar.com/
Dine Out with Reservations
The Omni Grove Park Inn at 290 Macon Avenue in Asheville is open for reservations at their Vue 1913 restaurant. With its lovely Art Deco decor and panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are some delicious dishes to be ordered. For Valentine’s Day dinner you can choose between Beef Wellington, Fennel Pollen Poached Lobster, Orange Saffron Duck or Cauliflower Steak as the entrees— $85 for this four-course dinner or $135 with wine pairing per person. Of course, reservations need to be made well ahead by calling 800 438-5800.
The Red Stag Grill at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore is offering a Valentine’s Day Special in their elegant dining room with comfy high back leather chairs. And parking is always easy with their valet service that is complimentary with a stamped ticket for dinner. The Valentine’s Day meal starts with Trout and Kaluga Caviar, then progresses to a full choice of either lamb, oysters, lobsters or beef tartar for $130 per person. Call 828 398-5600 or go online and reserve at Open Table: https://www.kesslercollection.com/red-stag-grill/
Although of course there are many other places to celebrate the day, let’s stop there with dining possibilities for this occasion—Here are a few other, more unusual Valentine’s Day suggestions to think about giving.
Burntshirt Vineyards In Hendersonville Holds Malbec Release
Malbec Release Weekend is from February 13th through February 14th. At the Burntshirt location in Hendersonville, free tastes of the just-released wine which was grown in their Sugarloaf Vineyard will be given out all day. There will be a do-it-yourself photo booth set up to commemorate the event. It is an open event, so it is free to anyone. There will be live music from guitarist and singer Hope Griffin from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday, the 13th. Free ‘tastes’ will also be given out at Burntshirt’s Chimney Rock location with live music from Ben Phantom from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday and Clay Johnson from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sunday.
There will also be a Romance Movie Trivia on Friday the 12th from 6 pm to 7 pm. There is a $5 cover charge for individuals or $25 for a table of 6. This includes a free glass of Malbec one night before its official release or roses for those who aren’t fans of red wine. Individuals can reserve on the website, but tables of 6 or more should email events@burntshirtvineyards.com to reserve their spot.
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue Sends Puppygrams
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue at 31 Glendale Avenue in Asheville is well known for its adoption and pet retention programs. Brother Wolf Animal Rescue impacts the lives of thousands of animals each year. As a fundraiser, the organization has a long-standing history of offering popular Puppygrams each Valentine’s Day. This unique gift has traditionally included an in-person visit with puppies. Due to social distancing and coronavirus protocols, the organization has found a creative way to continue this much loved Valentine’s gift with a twist this year: introducing virtual Puppygrams!
You can spread the love with puppy kisses this Valentine’s Day by choosing one of three special Puppygram gifts from Brother Wolf Animal Rescue. The $15 Puppy Valentine’s virtual video includes lots of cute puppies to make your special Valentine smile and feel loved. For $200, you can send your Valentine a personalized video message featuring a host of cute puppies. You can really show your love with one of only five $500 VIP Puppies Kisses & Roses packages, which includes a COVID safe in-person visit with a puppy, plus a dozen roses and chocolates. (A different puppy will be used for each visit to keep everyone safe.) Puppygram orders must be placed by midnight on February 12, through Brother Wolf Animal Rescue’s website www.bwar.org.
Just to Remember
So whatever you choose, Valentine’s Day, February 14th, is this coming Sunday. A dozen roses in any color can be purchased from The Fresh Market for $12.99, or beautiful bouquets of flowers can be found at Whole Foods Market, or a delicious lemon or almond pound cake can be purchased and brought home at Cakes By Jane, 55 Monticello Road in Weaverville. Nothing Bundt Cakes in the Gerber Village Shopping Center has a wide choice of beautifully decorated bundt cakes in many flavors and sizes (chocolate, praline, lemon, carrot, vanilla). If you haven’t tried their moist cakes, you are in for a treat. Just try a cupcake (a Bundtini) in the store to taste.
These are just a few ideas and possibilities to mull over. Of course, sometimes just a caring card to a loved one is all that is needed. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to let someone know you love them and are thinking about them. Don’t let the day slip by unnoticed.