50 Shades of Valentine’s Romance at Shade Hotel

Every year, couples are challenged to plan the perfect “romantic” Valentine’s Day celebration for their loved one. Flowers, boxes of chocolates, and last-minute reservations, at the only place left in town where you can get in, are overdone and lack creativity.  So, Shade Hotel in Manhattan Beach is putting the “mmm” back in romance with a variety of dining and overnight packages designed to make couples melt.

On Thursday, February 14, Shade will play Cupid with your palate when zinc@shade features a provocative, four-course Valentine’s Dinner with optional wine pairings, hand-selected especially for the evening by owner and wine aficionado Michael Zislis, along with a romantic photo opportunity in Shade’s Valentine’s photo booth and a DJ to set the mood.  The menu includes:

Soups (choice of one)

Californian Artichoke Bisque [Cru Chardonnay, 2010, Napa Valley] Roasted pepper chutney, Parmesan crisp

Maine Lobster Bisque [Franciscan Chardonnay, 2010, Monterey] Mini lobster and Brie corn bread muffin, crème fraîche, chives

Salads (choice of one)

Cool Island Hearts of Palm Salad [Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Napa Valley] Poached jumbo shrimp, vanilla coconut vinaigrette, pomegranate reduction

Australian Blue Abalone Ceviche Tostada [Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Marlborough] Savoy cabbage jicama slaw, mini blue corn crisp, mango sweet chili emulsion

Entrées (choice of one)

Scallop-Stuffed Roasted Jumbo Prawn [Buena Vista Pinot Noir, 2010, Monterey] Roasted red pepper-infused crisp polenta cake, crisp baby artichoke salad, saffron buerre blanc

Braised Short Rib with Duck Ravioli [Grgich Hills Merlot, 2007, Napa Valley] Balsamic bing cherry-braised short rib and duck confit ravioli,crisp black kale pomegranate salad, natural braising jus

Wine Country Wellington [Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008, Napa Valley ] Roasted Tuscan vegetables and fresh Mozzarella, wrapped in buttery phyllo dough and baked crisp, finished with heirloom tomato emulsion and goat cheese potato gnocchi

Desserts (choice of one)

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta [Domaine Chandon Brut Classic, NV, Reims] Bing cherry compote, pomegranate whipped cream

Chocolate Pot de Crème [Domaine Chandon Brut Classic, NV, Reims] Creamy chocolate custard, topped with caramelized bananas, peanut butter-whipped cream and chocolate heart disc

The price is $75 per person for the dinner (excluding taxes and gratuity). Wine pairings are an additional $25 per person. Or, guests are invited to bring a bottle of their favorite wine with a corkage charge of $25 per bottle.

For those who really want to make their Valentine swoon, Shade Hotel is offering an Impress Your Valentine package that features a deluxe spa room, two tickets to the wine dinner at zinc@shade (excluding taxes and gratuity and wine pairings), and a bevy of room amenities, including chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine and an intimate “keep it interesting” kit for $595. (Add $25 per person for Valentine’s Dinner wine pairings.)

The hotel is also offering a choice of Do Not Disturb room packages on Valentine’s Day, and another one, good throughout the month of February. They are:

The Valentine’s Weekend @ Shade package offers a three-night stay in a deluxe spa room, two tickets to the wine dinner at zinc@shade (excluding taxes and gratuity), and a bevy of room amenities, including chocolate-covered strawberries, a bottle of sparkling wine, a $100 lounge credit at zinc@shade, and an intimate “keep it interesting” kit for $995. (Add $25 per person for Valentine’s Dinner wine pairings.)

And, for those who choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day on another night in February, Shade Hotel offers its Kiss & Tell package, which features fresh rose petals throughout the room, a bottle of sparkling wine, chocolate-covered strawberries, a cupcake turndown service and a “keep it interesting” kit for $330 per night, Sunday through Thursday nights, and $449 on Friday and Saturday nights. (This package is not available on February 14, 2013.)