As you all know, Valentine’s Day is this Friday. A day that is met with a range of emotions; some dread it, some look forward to it, and some just forget about it. However, if you are one who is looking to celebrate this holiday, you are lucky to be set on lovely Coronado. Our island is a romantic destination, an island getaway just waiting for people to take advantage of its picturesque sunsets and long walks on the beach. Valentine’s Day, like most holidays, centers around food, or better yet a candle-lit, wine-sodden, chocolate-fueled, romantic meal for two.
Coronado has a bounty of restaurants whose locations are a perfect platform for the romance of the evening. All restaurants at the Ferry Landing are great at night. The wind off the bay dies down and the candles light up. For a fun date, schedule a sunset bay tour with SUP Coronado, then enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants on the bay watching the lights from downtown sparkle on the water. Candela’s is offering a three-course, Mexican-fusion meal just $39.99 a person. Make sure to call for reservations; when we contacted them they said they were filling up fast! Il Fornaio will be offering their regular menu, which features Italian yummies. Down the boardwalk is Peohe’s, built on stilts right out onto the water. Sit outside and enjoy the salty breeze as you order off their regular steak and seafood menu.
Boathouse 1887 on the Bay is Coronado’s other stilt-standing establishment. Enjoy its location; isolated and quiet so you can be alone with your honey. Get there right around sunset and see the skies over Mexico turn pale pink and then purple into the night. They are offering their regular menu including ocean to table fresh oysters and the house favorite macadamia nut Alaskan Halibut.
Italian food always has a sensual bite and feel to it, and Coronado is a plenty with Italian restaurants. Besides Il Fornaio, mentioned earlier, the island is home to Sapori, Primavera, and Vigilucci’s. Sapori is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Ferry Landing on Orange Ave. They have created a set menu for the occasion: $45 gets you a four-course meal with set salad, appetizer, and dessert with your choice of entree. Primavera will give you the classic mood lighting paired with zero outside noise. Order off their regular menu. Vigilucci’s will offer a prix fixe menu, three courses, for $65 a person. This is one of tallest restaurants in town and is just off Ocean Blvd., I don’t think there will be a more romantic dinner setting at sunset!
If Italian seems too traditional for you, try Leroy’s Kitchen & Lounge. They are offering prix fixe dinner and lunch menus. The dinner is $55 per guest and includes three heavenly courses. Wine pairings are available, too. Indulge in French food at Chez Loma, one of the more intimate settings in town, where a three-course Valentine’s menu is being offered, which is priced at $76 a person and looks to-die-for.
After dinner, you can walk a few blocks down quiet Orange Avenue and see a movie at the Village Theatre to end the night. If you want to avoid restaurants in general, opt for a late-evening beach picnic. Watch The Cooking Channel or the Food Network this week to find some inspiration to concoct a lovely meal yourself, or order from local caterers Pret Gourmet or Ganosh Gourmet. The latter is offering a $16 a person (plus a $5 delivery fee) special: they will pack a beautiful entree, side dish, and dessert that will make your significant other swoon. However, they suggest a larger gesture: “Give your loved one what they really want: gaze into her eyes and say the words she longs to hear- ‘Sweetheart, you don’t have to cook for a week – I got you Ganosh Gourmet!'”
Our island gives the perfect setting to get creative for your sweetheart this year. If you have access to a boat, take him or her on an aquatic excursion. Walk along the beach at night when less people are around, or even go for moonlit plunge (the water’s warm)!
You might even consider leaving the island for a bit to check out the old I.B. drive-in, or take a ferry ride over to downtown. Make the ride over part of the date with some small bites and a bottle of wine (it’s allowed). Or stay in for the night, rent some rom-coms, buy some Ben & Jerry’s, and fall asleep on the couch together. Whatever you do, have a warm heart and a wonderful day!
